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HISTORY 

O    F 

J     A     M     A     I      C     yi, 

O    K, 

GENERAL   SURVEY  OF   THE  ANTIENT 
AND    MODERN    STATE 

or 

THAT        ISLAND: 


RedeSions  on  its  Situation,  Settlements,  Inhabitants,  Climate, 
Produds,  Commerce,  Laws,  and  Government. 

IN      THREE      VOLUMES. 
ILLUSTRATED     WITH     COPPEK     PLATES. 


VOL.     II. 


—  mea    Aiit  temper  hie   in  re  Toluntu  et  fententia,  qucmTu  ut  hoc  vellem  de  iii,  qui 
efleni  tdonn  fufiipere,  quim  me ;— huC)  ut  nullen),  ^luUn  nemineiDi 

Cic.  Orat.  inCjeciLtVH. 


LONDON: 

PRINTED   FOR    T.    LOWNDES,    IN  FLEET-STREET. 
MDCCLXXIV. 


(  do  I  ) 


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398 

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465 

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468 

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470  . 

iq    u  thofe  that]sLj. . 

473 

.  27     r.  horrid  tiie. 

4?S: 

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my  readers. 

484 

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exaa. 

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3d           Id. .              u  reafoning  then. 

494 

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499 

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502 

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593 

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•599 

Appendbr.    r*  in  two.  places  —  10/. 

/fr  bog^iead. 

'.'  ] 


PLAYS,  8vo.  IS.  (Jd.te*:h^  Prlntcclfor  T.  Lowndes. 


ACHILLES,  by  Mr.  Gay 
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» 

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T   ^  I 


»  * 


TOPOGRAPHICAL       DESCRIPTION 


o  F 


THE 


ISLAND. 


CHAP.       VII. 


SECT.    I, 


Hamlets. 
PafTageFort* 
Market. 


JAMAICA  is  divided  into  three  counties,   Middlefex,   Surry, 
and    Cornwall.      The  county  of  Middlefex    contains   about 
1305235  acres,  and  has  eight  parilhes,   and  fourteen  towns  and, 
hamlets;  viz^  .  ' 

Parilhes.   .  Towns. 

St  Catharine,  St.  Jago  de  la  Vega, 

St.  Dorothy,  Old  Harbour, 

St,  John,  

St.  Thomas  in  the  Vale. 

;  ;     IChapeK    . 
Carlifle  Bay* 

{Rio  Nuevo,'   ■ 
Port  Maria,. 
Saltgut.         .. 
jLaughlands, 
1  Runaway 'Bay. 

1  (hall  begin  with  an  account  of  .St.  Catharine ;  which,  having 
been  the  firft-inhabitdd  by  the  Engliih,  is  entitled  to  precedence,  *' 
more  efpecially  as  it  contains  the  antient  metropolis  of  St.'  Jago  djs  I 
la  Vega,  or,  as  it  is  commonly  caUed,  Span i(h  Town:,  the.origip*!, , 
name,  being  chiefly  ufcd  in  afts  of  aflembly/ proclamatjans;  ^fertJ** 
other  public dbcuments.  It  is  iituated  in*'aboat'  i^""  V  N'ortK'' ti-; 
VOL.  II.  B  titudc. 


Clareodon, 

t 

Vere, 

St.  Mary, 

St.  Ani?e, 


• «   •  «  • 


.St.  Anne, 


2  JAMAICA. 

tirade,  and  in  76°  45'  longitude,  Weft  from  London.  It  ftands 
about  ten  miles  Weftward  of  Port  Royal ;  eleven  from  Kingfton, 
by  the  way  of  Pafliige  Fort ;  and  about  eighteen  by  the  road  of 
Halfway -Tree,  in  St.  Andrew's.  It  is  faid  by  fome  authors  to  have 
been  founded  by  Chriftopher  Columbus,  whofe  family  took  the 
ducal  title  of  la  Vega  from  it.  Other  accounts,  with  more  ap- 
pearance of  probubiHty,  aflerc^  that  it  was  biiiltrby  Diego,  the  fon 
of  Chriftopher,  about  the  year  1520.  The  accounts  given  us  of 
its  magnitude  and  opulence  are  ftrongly  fufpefted  of  exaggeration. 
Some  writers  inform  us,  that  it  contained  above  two  thoufand 
Iioufes,  fixtcen  churches  and  chapels,  and  one  abbey,  before  the' 
invafion  under  Penn  and  Venables;  and  that  the  Englifh  foldiers 
exercifed  their  provvefs  agalnft 'thefe  edifices  with  fo  furious  a  zeal, 
as  to  leave  only  two  churches  and  about  five  hundred  boufes  uu- 
dettlc^liflied  [^].  Other  authors,  witti  more  appearance  of  cre- 
dibility, relate,  that  it  contained  one  thoufand  feven  hundred  houfes, 
tWo  churches,  iwo  chapels,  and  one  abhey :  "but  feven  th-is  ao- 
count  allows  pretty  largely  for  the  Spanifli  or  white  inhabitants; 
who^  according  to  the  moft  certain  information  of  the  Englifh 
oflSkfef s  who  went  over  "with  the  army,  and  afterwards  fettled  here, 
did  not  exceed  fifteen  hundred":  To  that,  if  thefe  writers  are  to  be 
believed,  the  houfes  out-numbered  the  inhabitants.  The  £nglifh. 
army  eftabliflied  their  head-quarters  here;  and,  as  they  had  oc- 
cafion  for'moiik'df  the  houfes  that  were  habitable,  we  mui3:  fuj^ofe 
that  they  only  pulled  down  thofc  of  an  inferior  clafs,  together  with 
the  religious 'edifices,  which,  as  far  as  their  ruins  and  tradition  can 
afford  evidence,  confiftcd  of  an  abbey  and  two  churches,  the  one 
called  the  Red,  dad  the  other  the  White  Crofs.  There  is  reafon  to. 
believe,  that,  after  the  feat  of  government  was  ti-ansfcrred  to  Portr 
Roj^al,  the  town* of  St.  Jago  became  thSimcd  of  inhabitaiit^,,  who. 

» 

letj  fhh  U  Hkkeriogeirs  account.  Hfe-wis  the  eariieft writer  on  tlic-aflkirs  of  this  ifland,  and 
htmfeif  in  the  anny  at  the  tiine  of  the  conqitelV  under  Vdnabks ;  but  it  is  poffibte,  thathe  might 
h%v«  efti^iatcd  the  number  of  houfes  by  conjedure  onlyy^r*  been  niifinlbnned.  According  to  the 
beft  tefBrnoiries,  the  whole  EngliHi  army,  at  the  time  of  their  entering  the  town,  did  not  confill. 
o(  mbte  than  dboMt  nine  thouiiind,'  including  a  regiment  of  maHnes.  AUotving  therefore  ten  fo 
cai;hiK>ufej|*when.they  were -in  q^iirters  (w^ichi'Cqnfniknnig  th^  ^naUoefs  of  thefe  ediikesy  nuay. 
be  reckofved  RiH  ftifficient)^  the  number  they /pared  from  deflruftion  may  be  fuppofed  about  nikie 
"^undredy  Sor  tfie  aito)mmodation  of  the.  officers  and  men. 

gradually 


BQOt;    III.,    CHAP.      VII.  3 

gradually  left  k,  either  to  re^de  at  the  new  metropolis^  or  to  fpread 
themfelves  in  the  countxy:  in  confequence  of  which,  a  great  many 
of  the  Spaniflj  houfes  were  fufFered  to  decay;  and  others  were 
pulled  down,  to  enlarge  areas ;  while  feme  were  converted  into  ware- 
boufb$  and  ft^bles ;:  fy  that  at  prefent  it  does  not  contain  more  than 
between  four  and  five  hundred  inhabited  by  white  pcrfons ;  but,  when 
thofe  inhabited  by  free  Negroes,  Mulattoes,  and  flaves,  are  taken 
ioto  account,  the  whole  number  may  be  eftimated  at  about  twelve 
hundred.  The  prefent  church  was  eredled  where  the  SpanifliRed 
Grofs  Church  forpjerly  ftpOd,  at  the  Eaftern  end  of  the  town ;  the 
WWtejQroft  ftpod  at  the  Nqrthern  extremity,  at  a  fmall  difkucc 
from  the  river,  on  a  very  agreeable  (pot,  which  is  now  occupied 
with  a  bandfi>nie  modern-built  houfe*  On  digging  the  foundation 
for  this  houfe,  (everal  large  pieces  of  wrought  ftone  were  turned  up. 
They  appeared  to  be  of  the  white  lime-ftone,  or  fpecies  of  (hell- 
marble,  to  common  in  the  neighbouring  hills,  and  to  have  been  the 
lintels  of  doors  or  wiadstws  belonging  to  the  old  church  [6].  The 
abbey  was  fituated  on  the  South  fide  of  the  parade,  where  the 
guard-room  and  chapel  now  ftand,  and  extended  back  to  the  go- 
vernor's faoufe.  The  bafes  of  two  columns,  which  once  fupported 
a  large  arch-way  leading  into  the  abbey,  were  viiible  but  a  few 
yeftrs  .?go :  they  ftood  near  the  South  end  of  the  public  offices, 
were  about  eight  feet  Iquare,  compofcd  of  brick-work,  cemented 
with  io  fine,  a  mortar,  that  in  removing  them  the  bricks  were  all 
(hivered  in .  pieces.  I  have  {^tn  in  this  town  a  great  many  large 
ilone-mouldings,  for  the  bafes  and  other  parts  of  columns  ;  which, 
as  well  as  the  fculptures  dug  out  of  the  ruins  of  Sevilla  Nueva,  in 
St.  Anne's«  appeared  to  have  been  executed  by  no  mean  artifts. 
The  Spaniih  ecclefiaftics  (however  blameable  in  other  relpeds)  mu(| 
be  allowed  ibme  merit  in  having  cultivated  the  elegances  of  archi- 
tei^are  in  thefe  remote  parts  of  the  world.     Some  of  their  public 

[^]  In  blocks  of  this  ftone,  or  marble,  I  have  feen  very  perfe<f^  Hiells  of  the  Janaaica  mufcle 
and  poStina.  In  Come  parts  of  the  country,  where  it  overfpr^ds  the  furface,  and  has  fuffered 
a  torrefa^oa  frmti  the  accidental  firing  of  the  woods  in  dry  weather,  it  appears  pitted  all  over ; 
and  the  ]i(tle  cavities,  pnly -^vided  finom  each  other  by  ihai^  points,  thefe  have  been  occafioned 
by  violent  ihowers  filing  upon  the  rock  when  its  face  was  foftened  by  iiie.  A  gentleman^s 
hopfe  built  of  this  material,  being  unfortunately  burnt^  the  walls  continued  landing  till  a  ieaibn 
of  heavy  fai»  came  qp;   whon  theyfair]y  dijKiU^d  into  a  fubArate  of  Uow. 

B  2  ftrudures 


4  JAMAICA- 

ftruilures  at  St.  Domingo,  the  Havannah,  La  Vera  Cruz,   Cartha- 
gena,  Panama,  &c.   would   make  a  noble  figure  even  in  European 
cities.     The  fanatic  rage,   or  hecdlefs  indifference,  of  the  English 
who  firft  fettled   in  Jamaica,  occafioned  the  ruin   of  the  Spanifh 
buildings  dedicated  to  religious   ufes  here ;   fb  that  pofterity  Can 
only  form  an  opinion  of  their  magnificence  from  fuch  fragments  as 
here  and  there  are  to  be  found  in  a  negledled  ftate,    as  being  of  too 
large  dimcnfionstobe  employed  in  any   building   of  modern   ftyle# 
In  the  fituation  of  the  town,  the  Spanifli  founder  (hewed   a  good 
deal  of  judgement,    but  not  much  regularity   in  the  diipofition  of 
the  ftreets;  yet  it  is  better  laid  out  than  mofi:  of  thofe  m   England. 
That  a  Weft-India  town  (hould  be  irregularly  planned  is^   indeed; 
almoft  inexcufable,   not  only  on   account  of  health,  which  ought 
to  be  principally  regarded,  but  becaufe  it  is  formed  as  it  were  at 
once.     Thofe  in  England  had  not  the  fame  advantage;  they  grew 
for  the  moft  part  from  two  or  three  folitary  cottages,    planted  by 
the  fide  of  fome  road,   or  at  the  interfedlion  of  crefs-roads,  which 
having  been  traverfed  at   firft  without  any  exafttiefs,     the   fam^ 
meandring  lines  continued  after  the  fides  of  thefe  highways   were^ 
built  upon  and  converted  into  ftreets;  which  name  is  derived  with 
more  propriety  from  the  word^r^/,  or  narrow,  than  from  Jiraight 
or  not  crooked,  when  it  is  applied  to  the  towns  of  England.     St* 
Jago  ftands  on  a   rocky  flope,  gradually  afcending  from  the  river 
Cobre  to  an  extcnfive  plain,  called  the  Town  Savannah ;   fo  that  th^ 
rain-water,  which  fometimes  falls  heavily,  efpecially  in  the  feafons, 
pafles  away  with  a  free  current  into  the  river ;  by  which  means  the 
town  is  guarded  from  many  inconveuiencies.     From  Port  Royal 
harbour  it  is  diftant  about  fix  railes^N.  W.  5  a;nd,  the  land  having  aa 
eafy  fall  from  it  to  the  water-fide,  without  any  intervening  morafs. 
It  receives  the  fea-breeze  with  little  diminution  of  fiorce  or  purity. 
Towards  the  North  it  is  about  two  miles  from  the  hillsy  which  fink 
fb  much  in  that  diredion,  in   compliance  with   the  courfe  of  the 
river,  as  to  give  a  fine  opening  from   the  extenfive  vale  of  Sixteen- 
jBaile-walk,.  and  admit  the  land-wind..    Thetown  is   about  a  mile 
in  length,   and   fomewhat  nwre  than  a  (quarter  in  breadth,  lying 
longitudinally  North  and  South ;  and  contains  about  twenty  ftreets 
and  lanes,  a  fquase^  a  church,  a  chapel,   and  other  public  build* 

ings„ 


BOOK'  II.      CHAP."    VII.  5 

ings,  which  I  Ihall  particularly   (peak  of.     The  church  is  fituated 
in  the  South-Eaft  quarter  of  the   town,  near  the  entrance  c6ming 
from  Paflage  Fort.     It  is  an  elegant  building  of  brick,   in  form  of 
a  crofs,  confifting  of  four  ailes,  of  which   the  main  aile  meafures 
<me  hundred  and  tweiity-nine  feet  in  length,  and  twenty-nine  in 
bi^eadth.     As  it  is  without  a  tower/ the  congregation  is  fummoned 
by  a  fmall  bell  hung   in  a  wooden  frame,  which  is  erefted  in   the 
church-yard;    the  pulpit,  pews,   and  wainfcotting,  are  of  cedar 
and  mahogany ;  and  the  ailes  for  the  moft  part  paved  with    marble. 
The  altai^-piece  is  handfome,  and  adorned  with^ciVved  wbrkt  and 
the  decalogue  in  gilt  letters:   fronting  it,  at  the 'Weft  end  of  the 
'main  aile,  is  a  gallery  fupported  on  columns,   and  furhifhed    with 
an  exceeding  fine  organ,  which  coft  440/.   fterling,  and  was  fet  up 
in  the  year  1755.     The  organift   has  a  falary  of  1 20 L  per  annum 
currency,  paid  by  the  pari(hioners,  and  receives  other  emoluments, 
his  aiiiftance  being  generally  required  atthe  funeral  obfequies  ^ven 
of  thisvfree  Negroes  and  Mulattoes    buried  in  thU  pariih.     The 
cieling  is  neatly  coved,  and  graced  With  two  magnificent  chandelier? 
ofgiltbrafs;  and  the  walls  are  hung  with  feveral  monuments   of 
marble,  plain,   but  well-executed.     The  governors- pew  is  diftin- 
guiihed  from  the  reft  by  being  raifed  higher,   and  crowned  with  ^ 
panopy.  i.  The  two  chandeliers   were  the  gift  of  private  perfons ; 
and  p^rt; erf. the  communion  plate,  I  have  been  told,  was  plundered 
from  a  Roman  catholic  church  fome  years  ago,  at  the  attack  of 
Port  Louis,  in  Hifpaniola :    it  has  more  of  grandeur  than  elegance 
in  its  fafhion.      The  building  was  crefted  in  two   years,    at  the 
parochial  expence,  on  the   foundation  of  the  former  one,  which 
wSs    irreparably    damaged    by  the   hurricane  of    Auguft,    171 2* 
About    the  year    1762    it  received   a  thorough  repair,     and    ae 
pre^nt    yields  to   ixone  in   the   ifland   for  a   becoming   neatnefs* 
The  provifion  made  for  the  reftor  confifls  of  a  very  convenient 
dwelling-houfe    in  the    town;   fixty    acres    of    rich  paftu re-land, 
within  a  fmall  diftance  of  it,  the  donation  of  Mr.  Edwards  Morgan 
in  1674;  and  upwards  of  five  hundred  acres  in  , the  neighbour- 
hood, patented  in  the  fame  year  **  for  thq  ufe  of  the  parifh  of  Sc^ 
<«  Catharine,  towards  the  maintenance  of  the  minifter:'^  but  this 
latter  parcel  has  not  as  yet  been  appropriated  to  the  original  defign  ^ 

the 


6  JAMAICA, 

the  differ^ut  incumbents  having  been  either  unwilling  or  unable*  by 
reafbn  of  the  expence,  to  difturb  the  pofleffioii  of  thofe  perfons 
who  have  occupied  it ;  -though  it  will  fcarcely  adcnit  of  a  doubt, 
but  that,  it  wd^  meant  as  a  glebe;  to  be  annexed  to  the  rc^oxy  in 
perpetuum^  there  being  no  other  affigned  tO;  the  putpofe.  The  prev 
lent  redlor  i«  Do^or  Lindfey ;  the  ftipend  is  300/.  currency  /er 
annum:  but  the  whole  profit  of  the  living  has  been  eftimated  doubli 
that  fuoi  at  lead  ;  for,  as  the  duty  is  great,  tiie  occafional  fcts  are 
conliderable« 

ft 

The  chapel  (lands  on  the  South,  tide  of  the  Square,  near  the.go- 
vernor*s  houfe.  It  is  built  much  in  tl>e  ftyle  of  the  common-halls 
belonging  to  the  ioas  of  court  in  London  :  the  walls  ar^  crowned 
with  battlements  ;  and  on  the  centre  of  the  roof  is  a  cupola  and 
clock*  It  was  founded  juft  after  the  earthquake  of  1692,  in  a  re* 
ligious  pauic,  during  the  adminiftration  of  Sir  William  Beefton* 
How  loi>g  it  remaned  coniecrated  to  pious  uies  is  ^uncertain ;  but 
the  founder,  as  if  cotifctous  that  a  wicked  race  of  people  would  fuc* 
ceed,  who,  fbigetful  of  that  calamity,  miglit  incline  to  pro&ne  it, 
cauied  an  inlcriptioo,  cut  in  marble,  to  be  fixed  up  on  one  end  of 
the  building ;  which  denounces  a  mofi  terrible  imprecation  againft 
any  perian  or  perfons  who  (hould  dare  to  put  it  to  any  other  ufe  than 
that  tor  which  it  was  originally  intended.  Notwithfkmding  diis, 
it  was  a&erwards  converted  into  an  arfenal  of  finall-arms,  chiefly 
ItOT  the  tree  N^roes  and  Molattoes.  In  the  year  1760,  it  con* 
tained  two  thoufand  fix  hundred  and  (eventy-two  ftand  of  firelocks^ 
and  three  hundred  and  three  brace  of  piAols :  it  generally  has  a 
iland  of  about  three  thooland;  for  keeping  of  which  in  good 
order,  the  alicinbly  pay  an  annual  iaiary  to  an  armourer.  Adjoinii^ 
to  this  ftruiSture  is  the  guard-houle ;  where  a  party  of  regulars  are 
every  day  on  duty  to  attend  the  governor.  The  governor's,  or,  as 
it  is  more  ufually  called,  the  kii^*s  houle  occupies  the  whole  Weft 
fide  of  die  fquare.  The  plan  of  this  pile  was  defigned  and  ap-^ 
proved  of  under  the  admintflratioo  of  lieutenant-^govemor  Moore  ; 
but  the  building  was  not  comj4eted  till  the  arrival  of  his  ex* 
cellency  governor  Lyttelton  in  1 762.  ft  was  ereded,  at  the  Ible 
charge  of  the  ifland,  under  the  infpedion  of  Mr.  CndkeB,  then 
cngiMer  of  Jamaica,  and  defigned  for  the  ufual  place  of  refidence 

of 


BOOK    III.      CHAP.     VII.  7 

of  tho  commander  in  chief.  The  expence  of  building  and  fur- 
niOiing  it  amounted  to  near  30,000/,  currency;  and  it  is  now 
thought  to  be  the  nobleft  and  beft  edifice  of  the  kind,  either  ia 
North -America,  or  any  of  the  Britifli  colonies  in  the  Weft-Indies. 
The  firft  floor  is  raifed  about  four  feet  above  the  ground  ;  the  fe- 
cond  is  an  Attic  ftory  ;  tlie  length  of  the  facade  is  about  two  hun- 
dxed  feet;  .and  of  the  whole  <ange,  including  the  yard  and  offices^ 
about  two  hundred  and  fixty.  The  cornices,  key^ftones,  pediments, 
copings,  and  quoins,  are  of  a  beautiful  free-ftone,  dugout  of  the. 
Hope  river  courfe,  in  St.  Andrew*s  pariflh.  The  entrance  is  by  a 
lofty  portico,  proje6ling  from  the  middle  of  the  front  about  fifteen 
feet,  fupported  by  twelve  columns  of  Portland-ftpne,  of  the  Ionic 
order.  The  pediment  which  rifes  above  the  .Attic  ftory  is  ibperb,^ 
and  very  properly  ornamented  with  the  imperial  arms^  of  Great- 
Britain,  in  carved  work  weli-exccuted.  The  pavement  of  the  por- 
tico is  of  white  marble,  the  afcent  to  which  is  by  a  flight  of  fteps 
of  the  feme  material.  This  ^portico  gives  an  air  of  grandeur  to  the 
whole.  t(uilding,  and  very  happ.il|r  breaks  the .  length  of  the  front. 
Two  principal  entrances  lead  through  it  inta  the  body  of  the 
houie ;  the  one  opcn3  inta  a  lobby,  or  ante»^hamber ;  the  other, 
into  the  great  faloon,  or  hall  of  audience:,  which  is  well-propor- 
tioneil,.  t-he  dkneniions  behig  about  feventy^three  by  thirty  feet,  and 
the  height  about  thirty-two :  from  the  cieling,  which  i$  coved,, 
haqg  two  brafs  gilt  luftres*.  A  fcreen,  of  feven  large  Doric  pillars^, 
divides  the  faloon  from  an*  upper  and  lower  gallery  of  communica- 
tion, which  range  the  whole  length  on  the  Weft  fide ;.  and  the 
upper  one  is  fecured  with  an  elegant  entrelas  of  figured  iron  work.. 
The  Eaft  or  oppofite  fide  of  the  faJoon  is  finiflied  with  Doric  pi-- 
lafters ;  upon  each  of  which  are  brafs  girandoles  double-gilt ;  andi 
betweeaeach  pilafter, .  under  the  windows  of  the  Attic  ftory,  are 
placed,  00  gilt  brackets,  the  bufts  of  Icveral  ancient  and  modern: 
philofophers  and  poets,  large  as  life ;  which  being  in  bronze,  the 
darknefsof  their  complexbn  naturally  fuggefts  the  idea  of  fo  many 
Negroe  Caboceros,  exalted  to  this  honourable  dlfti nation  foe  fome 
peculiar  lervices  rcixdered  tp  the  country.  At  the  North  end,  over 
a  door  which  opens  into  the  lobby,  is  a  fmall  moveable  orcheftra, 
piade  to  hold  a  band  of  mufic  on  feftive  occafions.  The  furniture 
jf  below- 


8  JAMAICA. 

below  confifts  of  a  great  number  of  mahogany  chairs  and  fettees, 
fufficient  to  accommodate  a  large  company ;  this  room  being  chiefly  \ 
ufed  for  public  audiences,  entertainments,  balls,  and  the  hearings 
of  chancery  and  ordinary.  At  the  South  end  are  three  folding- 
doors,  opening  into  a  fpacious  apartment,  in  which,  by  the  gover- 
nor's permiflion,  die  council  ufually  meet ;  whence  it  has  received 
the  name  of  the  council-chamber.  At  this  end  it  was  defigned  to 
place  full-length  portraits  of  their  prefeht  maj.efties,  and  likewife  of 
the  prince  of  Wales  and  his  late  majefty,  between  the  pilafters ;  but 
I  am  informed  they  have  not  yet  been  obtained.  Above  the  coun- 
cil-chamber is  a  banqueting-room,  or  drawing-room,  of  the  fame, 
fize,  hung  with  paper,  and  neatly  furnilhed.  This  room  commu- 
nicates with  the  upper  gallery  and  a  back  ftair-cafe,  and  enjoys  a 
view  of  the  faloou  through  fome  windows  ranging  with  thofe  of 
the  Attic  ftory  :  it  is  feldom  ufed,  except  on  public  days,  and  is  per- 
feftly  well-calculated  for  the  purpofe.  Thefe  different  apartments 
take  up  about  one-half  of  the  whole  building.  The  room  over 
the  lobby,  being  (bmewhat  darkened  hy  the  pediment  of  the  por- 
tico,  was  converted  by  governor  Lyttelton  into  a  chapel,  for  pri- 
vate devotions.  It  is  neatly  fitted  up,  and  with  great  propriety 
adapted  to  this  ufe.  The  Northern  divifion  of  the  hbufc  confifts 
of  three  large  rooms  below,  communicating  with  each  other,  and 
with  a  long  gallery;  all  of  which  are  handfomely  furnifhed  and 
well-lighted:  this  gallery  has  commonly  been  ufed  either  for  public 
fuppers,  when  balls  were  give'i\  in  thfe'hall,'  or  as  a  flieltered  and  re- 
tired walk  in  wet  weather.  The  upper  ftory  is  dii^oied  in  a  fuite 
of  chambers,  divided  by  a  long  narrow  gallery  from  a  range  of 
fmaller  apartments  or  clofets,  intended  fdr  lodging  the  governor 
and  part  of  his  houfhold.  *  The  tw6  NoYtliernmoit  rooms  above 
and  below  are  provided  with  a  chim'ney,  and  ali  thre  heceflary  ap- 
paratus for  a  good  fire  ;  which  in  the  rainy  feafbiis  is  healthy  and 
not  difagVeeable.  In  this  new  building  ard  three  ftair-cafes,  all  of 
which  are  private ;  a  circumftance,  perhaps,  overlooked  when  the 
plan  was  drawn,  and  not  more  attended  to  when  it  came  to  be  ex* 
ecuted :  yet  there  is  fufficient  Ipace  in  the  lobby  for  carrying  up  a 
very  magnificent  central  one,  anfwerjibk  to  the  other  parts  of  fo 
capital  aflru£ture;  and  this  no  doubt  will,  fotoe  tirtaie. or  other,  be' 

added 


B  O  Q,K  .  II.      CHAP.     VII. 


intermixed:    biitit  is  not  To  well  cuttrvite'd  as  to  ixierit  a  further* 
ilelcription.    Ad^oiiiiiig  to^'yj  are  two  littl^  iqWiire'courts,  furrouiidcd 
with* the  old  buildiqgg,  'which' Wrtijprehend  fevei^il  lodging- rooms i 
the  private  fecretar/s  office,  *a  large  fdryants  hail,  kitchen^   and 
other  convenient  6^ce^.  ;*  ^utH'of  the  \vhole  'is  a  {picimas  area, 
cnviroiwd  v^ith  the  ftpbl.es,  coach- houfe',  granary,  &c:    and  this  area 
communicates  vvlth,  t|;ie  pafade,  or  great  fquare,  by  a  large  gate- 
way.    All  the  apart'naents' and  oflkes  belonging  "to  the  ho\ife  afe 
^tremely^c^mmdaious  'aild  atry.  ^  lii  mort,  1  believe  "Vhere  is:  no 
one  of  all  thb  colonics 'where  thecommanSer  in  chief  is*  lodged  in 
a  inanner  mora' fuitafcJe  tq  ^is  torivftnienc^,  and  thb  dignity  of  his 
rj^nk.     Ox\  fi}t^  oppofite  fid^  of  tHe  parade,  direftly  fronting'the  go- 
ybrnor*s  houfe/  is  a  cbioflal  building,  erected  likewilc  by  the  inha«- 
bii^nts  or  tHje/iflaha  at  a'  very  great  expehcc  :  it  was  begun  about 
jfeyepteen  or  eighteen  years '^ago^  but  is  not  yet  completed,  nor  pro- 
bably ever  will  be.     It  putVus'ih  mind' of 'the  gentleman's  beard, 
defcrib^dty  Martial,  ihat  grew  un^er  the  operation  of  a  bungling 
barber;   the  half  firft-fhaved  called  again  for  the  razor  bfefore  the 
pther  half  was  finiflijed.     This  huge  pile  of  brick  and  mortar  is 
rudely  raif^d  imto  two  ftorieg.   Below  is  an. arcade  of  large  extent,  of 
^xteen.  circular  arches,  and  ohe  elliptical  in  the  centre,  of  ruftic 
work^  upon  the  top  of  which  is  a  lofty  pediment  raifed  upon  four 
Ppric  .columns.     The  body  of  the  building  li  retired,  to  afford  an 
jQpen  gallery,  fecured  by  a  balluftrade,  and  floored  with  pitch  pinc- 
^ards^  y^ry  badly  adapted  to  the  climate,  where  the  rain  and  fun 
arc  .to  fjieftru^ive  to  wood- work  thus  expbfed.  '  The  upper  ftory  is 
afc^ded  by  a  largie  ftair-cafe,  which  divides  ffom  the  firft  landing 
In^o  two  bratiches^   both  terminating  at  the  two  ends  of  a  fpacioiis 
lobby ;  the  South  end  opens  into  tHb  aflembly-chamber  and  fpedk^r^s 
rpom ;  the  other  cikI,  into  the  xr^urt- houfe  and  jury-room ;  and  the 

^  "  the  feveral  offices  of  the 

■ 

chancery,  and  clerks  6f 

^^he  crojvp  ^b4  9pufJ;.  for  the  ufe  of.  which,   as  they  coft  fomewhat 

.^cu^Y^Ujr  in,  repair?,  thefe  officers  pay  to  the  jpublic  a  certain  mo- 

7VoL;IL       '"'    '■       ■•'  C^        '     •  tJerate 


lo  JAMAICA. 

derate  rent,  amounting  to  much  lefs  than  they  would  pay,  if  ihcy 
were  obliged  to  hire  houfes,  which  formerly  was  the  cuftom.  The 
offices  being  thus  fo  compa<flIy  difpofed,  and  fo  contiguous  to  the 
courts  of  juftice,  a  very  fignal  convenience  refults  to  all  perfbns 
haviijg  bufinefs  to  tranfaft  in  them.  The  aflembly-chambcr,  or 
comnions-houfe,  is  about  eighty  feet  in  length  by  about  forty;  At 
one  end  of  it  a  fore  of  amphitheatre  is  railed,  with  mahogany,, 
fome  little  elevation  above  the  floor^  and  lined  with  feats  for  the 
members :  the  fpeaker*s  chair  is  exalted  ftill  higher.  On  the  floor 
is  a  long  table,  at  which  the  clerk  fits;  ?nd  thereon  are  regularly* 
heaped,  during  the  feffioo,  leveral  manufcript  folios  of  laws,  *  mi- 
nutes, and  votes,  the  Euglifh  ftatutes  at  large,  votes  of  the  Britifli 
houfe  of  commons,  with  penSf,  ink,  and  paper,  for  the  in(lru(5fiba 
^ad  accommodation  of  the  fenators.  The  fpeaker*s  foom  is  fur- 
fiifhed  with  proper  conveniences  for  the  private  committeeSap* 
pointed  to  meet  in  it.  The  cieling  of  the  commons-houfe  is  loiffy^ 
and  vaulted,  except  the  part  of  it  immediately  over  the  feats  ;  this. 
IS  boarded  and  flat,  in. order  to  render  the  debates  mpre  diftinftand^ 
audible.  The  court- houfe  is  well-defignedx  apd  extremely  eony- 
modious  for  the  judges,  jury,  barrifters,  and  other  part-ies  rtlat  at- 
tend it..  The  doors  of  the  two  houfes/  arc  diredly  fronting  each 
other ;  (b.that,.  wbeu  the  fupreme  court  is  l)eld  durine  the  feil^o^i  of 
the  aflfembly,  the  fpeaker  and  chief-juftice  are  feated  vis  ayis^ 
Thus,  thp  JAidges  feem  tacitly- admoniihed  to  a  juflrVdifpenfanon  of 
the  law  and  their  duty  ;,  their  .coiidujft  being  aolenable  to  thelhquL- 
.fition  and.  impeachment-  pf  the  commons  iu  aflenabry.  The.  two. 
bodies  t^us.circumftauced,,  the  one  m^t  rorframii)g,  amending,  or 
^fcpealiug,  the,  other  lior|ciiforging,.  expounding^  x)r  ^eci^iijg  iipbri,, 
^thc  laws,  afford  to  the  fpe^ators  a  ftrTking  piiSlure  of  the'lekitfafive 
and.  executive  departments,.  a5  moulded  ^by  obr  happy  cpnftitutioii 
^thougfab  here  exhibite<i  f  only  i.ivi,npini^ture),  each  Jiarmoifizing'the 
otlier;  euer  aAing  and  re-acting  ;^  vacious,  y^t  concurreijt,  THis 
building,  which. Kntt  one  entire  fide  drtHe  parade  or.  ^uait,  had: 
originally  a. cupola  on  the  middfe  of  the  roof,  which  ^gaV^  ^^' ?!?• 
pearance  of  lightnefs  and  variety  fto  the  view  ^  biftj  having  aftfer-- 
wards^  been  foundtpo  cumbeffome^  and  prodbftive  of  fqih* .  ihcbn- 
teuiences,  it  was  taken  down  i  by  which  mLsans^  ttie!fjrotat  feems. 

too. 


^/„„.,  v<  /.  y/K::..  y 


V    « 


• 


,    .         V 


BOOK     II.    CHAI^.    VII.  II 

too  mu^h  extended^  atid  has  top  heavy  an  a(pe£):  to  pleafe  the  eye. 
The  brick  columns  6(  thd  arcaide  iaare'  much  too  maflire  and  clumfy, 
appearing  as  if  they  were  intended  to  luftain    fome   eoomious' 
weight,  but  hitherto  fupporting  only  a  flight  floor,   which  is  fo 
leaky  as  riot  to  attfwer  the  pwi^pofe  of  ferecciing  the  offices  and  paf-- 
ieiigers  underneath  from  a  franfienl  fliower.     The  pediment  in  the  • 
centre,  and  the  projediou  of  the/fpeaker^s  aiid  jury  room^  a(  each, 
end,   are  fome  littte  relief.     But;  taking  the  whole 'ftra^re  to- 
gether, and  refleding  on  the,  vaft  fums  of  money  that  have  been 
thrown  away  upon  it,  we  may  juflly  queflion,  whether  confum- 
mate  diihonefty  or  ignorance  Was  the  chief  architeft  [€]. 

On 


[r]  From  the  gran^  or  fupreine  la«(f-court  whick  i$  held  here  (If  tffe  chaft  in  efHdn  be  Ibr  a  fum 
above  500 iL  fterling),  kn  appeal  lies' to  the  court  of  erroh ;  or,  if  febtence  of  death  |)e  paifed  for 
felony,  the  appeal  is  to  the  governor  alone,  who  for  all  fuch  crimes^  except  tnuTxler  and  treafon^ 
can  ratify  or  annul  rhe  judgement  of  the  tourt  as  he  pleafes ;  but,  ^n  the  two  laft-nientioned  caCes^ 
may  either  refpite  the  offt:nder  till  the  rpyal  pleafure  thereupon  *beknQ,wn,  or  order  immediate 
ex^uGbn*  'the  grand  court  is  held  fouf  times  a  year,  eacli  feflion  continuing  three  weeks.  Til 
the  year  1758,  aH  caiifes  of  more  ih^n  forty  (hillings'  throughout  the  ifiand  were  tried  irt  thiitf 
town ;  when  an  a6k  was  palTed  for  dividing  the  ifland  into  three  circuits,  in  each  of  which  aHizin 
are  held  the  like  number  of  times  in  the  year. '  From  the  courts  that  are  held  in  Suny  and  Obiti-' 
wall,  a  njeaire  Hes  in  ^me  cafes  to  that  in  Spanifh  tTown.  All  iilfbrmations  upon  iBAimi  /or  biieacti 
of  the  laws  of  tr^de  and  navigation,  duties,  cuftoms,  imports  and  exports,  c^uit-rents,  and  efcbeats^ 
are  triable  in  the  fupreme  court  only.  And,  in  all  anions  for  the  property  in  itaves  or  their  free- 
dom, or  in  eje&ment,  dower,  panition,  tides  affeding  lands  or  tenemetits  arifing  in  the  countiet 
of  Cornwall  or  Surry,  the  judges  of  ^e'fupttme  court  may  direct  the  ifhe'.to  be  tried  af St.  Jago 
de  la  Vega  by  a  Middlefex  jur}%  From  the  grand  court  the  appeal  goes  on,  as  before  related,  to 
the  court  of  errors ;  and,  after  judgement  given  in  the  court  of  errors,  the  party  cafi  may  travel 
with  hif  caufe  before  the  king  in  council  at  home ;  he  muf^  indeed,  ai'ber  the  decifion  in  the  couit 
of  errors,  if  it  affirms  the  fentence  of  the  grand  court,  pay  into  the  complainant's  hands  the 
amount  of  the  a<5tion,  he  giving  iecurity  to  the  defendant  for  re-pnyment  of  it  in  caie  the  (en*' 
tcnce  ihould  be  reveried  at  home. 

« 

It  is  true,  that  hy  thefeappeal^  it  has  been  fuppofed  that  juftice  is  more  likely  to  be  admi- 
niftered;  but  they  are  nevertheleis  highly  prejudicial  with  regard  to  the  immoderate  delay  which 
neceflarily  ienfues :  for,  let  the  evidence  be  ever  fo  clear  and  cohclufive,  ah  acHon  of  debt  upon  d 
limple  bond  may  l)e  brought  by  the  defendant  (after  judgement  has  been  obtained  upon  it  in  th^ 
girand  court j  before  tne  governor^ and  council  in  the  court  of  errors;  where  itmaypofflbly 
(lumber  a  whole  year,  or  more,  before  it  can  be  heard  and  deqided,  and  before  the  plain^ff  can 
receive  anyjulllce  or  redrelsj  for,  how  defirous  foever  the  governor  himfelf  may  be  to  hafbn 
judgtiticnt,  it  is  not  sdways  in  his  power  to  do  if.  He  may  advertife  the  holding  fiich  a  court 
60m  time  to  time,  but  to  very  little  purpofe,  unlefs  a  quorum  of  his'  council  are  pleafed  alio  to 
attend  ami  afBil  him  \  who  are  fb^netimes  interefied  in  the  matter  in  difpute,  either  as  principals  or 
coUaterak,  and  confequently  fo  far  difqualified  to  prefide  upon  it  as  judges.  I  have  before  ob*> 
fepred  on  tjbe  incoav(Siiiences  which  attend  this  appeal-courr;  and  (hall  therefore  only  add,  that  it 
bat  long  bedl^ie  fm^ere  >Yifh  of  all  the  inhabitants  (except  the  partizans  of  knavcr>'  and  htiga* 

.        *  C  2 '  tion)^ 


II  .TiV     .lAIID     .11     y.OO'c: 

U  r  JAMAICA... 

On  the- North  ^de  of ,  the  parade  is...  a,.lmfm  byilduig,.  c?ille<J  th* 
old  cpurf -houfe,  wlwrc  th^rupr^fpej/jQiu-t... was  formerly,  hcld^  an3 


i.  •*  'i  .    ^'  1  -       r    ■       ,! 


tiob).  to  55w  it  pntMay^b»Jfftcd5-iT*^i«4geJj5^r^p^  4y>fift  are,,vtilfa,with.5^ci>rivile|e.of 
pfcfiding  either  ijj  the  Surry ^  or  Cornwall  courts,  as  well  as  that  in  Miiddlefex ;  whereas  none  of 
the  puime  judge's,  who"  are  Specially  ap^iritedTor  elthe/oF  the  foriiier,  are  periViIfted  to' fit  in  the 
Utter.  Tlie  feimber  of  aJTidps,'  VirHich  iii'tlwdlifqill  i^^ihnilaity  ^w  Wery  }(car  hrii^kt  l?cftTC  te 
graod  coiy-ri  .^iU>pp^ar  ili^oil  ihcredibte :  ycttlpc  1k>oks'of '  eutr)' id  thq  clerk  of  the  courts  of- 
fice, which  are  an  undoubted  authority  in  this  lefpeft,  (hew,  that  there  are  near  four  thoufand 
new  onesinfTituteff/iT /?;/»i!^/  iipdn  dh' a\^di*dg;e:  lflei(cc'tf  tottceptiotiftiay  bcfdrmed  o^  Vhe  vaft 
qMAtixy  of  ^ufihefs  tninl%cl«d  hi  ibii  eousr,  ^id^of  the  ciiiblumcnto  derirpci  from  it  co  the  tpcni' 
bers  of  tire  law.  JfV^nofig  *|V  |thf /cawfcs.  >yhicb  laid,  to  ;J^?^??^'pUcatjofi  gf.tKis  evil,  none  arc 
mom  conducive  than  the  following :  ift,  the  fraudulent  condu6iE  of  Sixecutors ;  adiy,  the  transfer 
of  property  from  hand  to  hand  by  exchange  of  papers  ;  jdly,  the  fallacious  fixtures  of  plats  by 
i9gailh;!t^ignqr?mt  land-fuiKCyors ;,  AX^iVy,  theyca^  djday  o/ juftic;^.  by  a  rauliiplicity  of  ^ppeal- 
c<»)frts ;  .5thly,  cxpcij(ive  ai^d  diflipated  hal?jt^,,Qf  }fyi|;ig^:  of  th^e,  tl^e,laft- mentioned  may  he 
reckoned  the  principal.  Property  here  is  oftencr  rather  nominal  than  real.  A  man,  in  pblleflion 
of  an  efbte  yielding  zooo  /^  fer  oftnumy  fpends  as  muc^,  and.  lives  as  though  he  a(5):ually  had  a 
ught  to  a  clear  income  of  that  arapunt^  nopvithitandin^  it  may,  be  grcady  encumbered.  The  con- 
jfectuence  of  this  muft  be»  that^.if.  he  foendg.tjit;  whole; incofne  at  the  very  time  wheii  he  owes  at 
leail  one  half.  9(J5l*^  value  of  his  property,  in  a  vqry.fe^'  vears  he  is  obfigcd  to  part  with  both' the 
cflat^  aatl  incotnetpo;.  clpccially  if  any  p^  the  ufual  cafualties^  Nuchas  tHe  death  of  Negroes  and 
cs^xlci  djrow4h„or  iloojis,  Ibould  happea^to  irt)pairrit.  .  iV;^vi>^  planter,. th<^re!bre,  flipuld  never  ipend 
abpvq.ionp  Uaixd  ,of  .his  income,  i^pr  yaluj^  hi^  property  a^t  a  Wo^her.proportipi)..  ,  iBut  how  prcca- 
rioiu  foever  fortunes  are  in  this  part  of  the  world,  apd  Hable,  from  various  and  innumerable  caufes, 
to  fuddcn  changes^,  and  however  frequent  fuch  inftances ;  yet  few  here  tak<j  warniqg  by  the  fate 
o(; others,  or.  fecm  awake^.to  tjicir,  own.dapgcr,.  till  aujiappjly  thpy  experience  the  famc^them- 
Idvesijifethai- wC'inay,^pl^j5W^tjMvenal'%^d  0^^^^^^        his  dajs  :    .',,,-.-(..   r.      )  :  » 

Pauper tate.  Sat.  ili.  r.  170,  ttfenueni. 

•* — Here  atiir  d  beyoild  our  piirfe  v\?e  go^ 

**  For  ufcleis  otnament  and  Haunting  diew :  ,  , 

"  We  take  on  truft,  in  filken  robes  to  Ihine, . 

"Though  poor,  knd  yet  ambhious  to  be  fineJ'      .*    '       Dryd.    , 
And  this  is  literally  true  of  us  j   for  we  are  To  ambitious  to  live  up  to,  or  rather  beyond,'  tKc  no- 
minal income  of  our  eftates,  that  fometmies  a  j>crfbn,  whofe  produce  amounts  in  groft  to,atleaft 
fix  or  feven  thoufand  pounds  a  year,  is  greatly  diilrerted  to  pay  hii  taxes,  or  even  toraife'tlic  fum 
of  fifty  pounds.  "'  .    ." 

In  ihort,  To  numerous  are  the  law-fuits  in  the  ifland  Wn  different  caufes,  and  the  Tees'paid  to 
council  fo  large,  that  the  gentlemen  of  the  l>ar  make  feveral  thoufand  pounds^r  ant^m  by  thcii 
pradnce  ;  and,  in  regard  to  attornies,  there  are. not  lb  few  sft  one  hundred  \  ibrae. o'f  \<rho(n,  4ri'Ji 
few  years,  acquire  very  confulerable  fortunes.  The  etil  praclTces  of  fome  imoug  thr^n '.diftlefl 
for  a  reguliition  by  law.  Accordingly,  an  aC^  oraflembly,  jttffed  in.  \  753,  bfdarhs,^*thatiidne  Ih'afl 
be  admitted  to  pradife  as  folicitor  or  proiSlor  ih  any  court  of  law  oVe<!juity  in  this  ifl*inrf,'*\i^ithout 
producing  his  admiflion  as  fuch  in  Wclhnlnfter^hall ;  or  court  ofchjlncery,  klng*s-bendi,  tdmnfon- 
pleas,  or  exchequer  in  Ireland  ;  or  unlefs  he  rfiall  have  been  an  articled  cl^k  ftveyfeW  atiealFto 
'a  fworn-attoruey  or  folicitor  in  Jamaica,  and  certified  upon  examination  before  two  barrlftera  to 


BO«0If>  11.    r.cUAP.   711.  15^ 

of'th^re  iJoult^  iiitd  mote'COnveuielW  places,  .it  fe  of^no  furthcir  ufe 
than  for  every  corfimander  in  chief,  on:hisfirft  arrival  in  the  toorn^ 
to  go  into  and  hvke  the  ufi>al  oaths  ;  'and  at  other  firties  for  holding 
feleeHohs-'bf-  the  prffdchml  rept^fej^tSttves-or  ciRqers  j:  .andj  Barinff 
tmithVh^,   as'a  giVardi-roona  for  thd   militia.     Adjoming  to  this 
ftltiOnire  *s   a  rafnge-'of  building,  which   fills  -up:this  fide  of  the 
iija2irCy   and  compi'^eiiei^dsa  tavWn,   a  lodgingJioafe,  and  a  barber's 
fiiop;  all  of  which;  are  well  fitu^ated  for  good  bufinefs  in  their  way* 
^tltefe  houfeB  make  art -{^ppearanoe  that  is  rather  difgraceful  to  the 
Kfihet  environs- of  4h'4  %ua*^e.- '  Ttie  tavern  is  an  old  Spaniih  JjiuiW* 
ifig,  -whtehV  traHi+fOn   fayg,  Hvas  iantriently  aitable' foirithe/mule^ 
ahd  -horfrt  feidlbnging  to  theSpanifli  governor.     TheTqiJare  ha^ 
Within-it  ^ta  dftagoftal  inclofure^  furrounded  with  a  parapet-.wdll 
aUd  raik,  ^ifetjuped  at  proper  diftances  by  brick  quadrangular  co- 
liHUBS,  croMied  with  frce-Aont;  ithis  was   intended  as   an  prna- 
nettt,  'fctet  4t  -lanfortufliately  feas^  too  ^naucht  the  rcfeinblance  of  > 
wittet^fj^ : » *<!Ma'  t vVb  of  rtic  fktes  a^e  idcauble  jgates  for  ;thfi  CQUveijiienc^ 
df  paflage  jfitofiA  'the  pflblidfc  4^ais  to  tbeigoveirnor's  hpufe.     T,he 
originarhoufe  of  refidence  fdr  6ur  governoraiconfiffed  partly  of  tht 
old  Spanish   edifice,    and-  partly  -  of -irregular  additions  jioad^  from 
titne  to*tfin6  by  Sir  \^illiam  Bsefton  aad'.other  Engliih  cotTi?nander» 
in  chitff.    'TheSpanifli  hallof  airdieoce  was  compleatly  teft  ,tili  the 
year  1761,   when  it  was  entirely  pulleA  down  to.make.Toom.for 
the  prtfent  building:  nothing  df  ait  (or  elegatiae  graced -tbje  iniide 
of  niis  halL:  it  was  lined  throvSgh^lit  with- boards,  or  rather. plaaks^ 
uttcquallT  hewn  with  an  adzis^j  <none^of  theto  appealing,  to  ha?« 
iindet^oi^^the  embetlifliment  of  the  plane  ;'thefe were rudej.y. nailed 

be  £t|y ^iiiliBcd  ifoir^chj  profcffiou,  So  pPtfonv  who  have-beca  writers  ;p.  tJi^  fignet  in  Scotlaiul 
lor  ihree^ycars, ,  m^y,  upon  producing  certificate  of  ftich  (ervic^,  ^n4  going  thro ugn  one  year's 
furtKcr  clerlcfliip  in'Jdmaica,  and  b<?ing  npprdverf  of  upon  fimilar  trxitni nation,'  <3e  admitted  \ii*  llfec 
iniBlUr.  .iMdptd^«ttet  odllufivfe  Oo^pailttteffllipSy  nlbpartnerfhipsKVX^iicHk^ed  i^tweeu  attorniis 
MKVfeliekorS}.Ji<ii(^b(^l'£fiu(j^d^to  writu^g^  dujy  fi^Bed,  foaled,  a^d'executed,  m  £D^cn,  and  recorded 
in  rbe  fecrefar^^s  office ;  and  the  name&of  all  the  partners  ijidorfed  on  all  writs,  and  other  pVckrefs 
and  proceedings,  *whi^fein'  they  m^y  be  cbncertied. '  And, '  in  older  t6  put  a  ftop  to  fri voloua  iiiltf , 
ftisi^Diftidls^iaildtlftr  kw^,  that,  If^theidebo  nod  damagie^  tc^l^e  rocQT^ed/jppf>  any  perfonal  ac* 
tm '(i]f4f^  Alrf-fnafterB  afijp^tkkg.titles  or  intrred'of  land,  flaives,  or -their  freehold  or  inheritance) 
appear  not  to  amount  to  forty  (hillings,  or  upwards,  no  greater  cods  (hall  be  allowed  to  the  plaintitt* 
tkitf  ySat  fdm  of  fufch ' jMSt  or  damages ;  but  teis  may  be  awarded  at  difer«tipD  of  the  court.  ' 

to 


n  JAMA  J'  C    A. 

to  upright  pofts,  which ;  fupported  the  I'oof,  The  pofts  were  fgi^ 
the  moft  pane  crooked,  not  even  ^uar^d,  and  many  of  them  bad 
fome  remnant  of  their  bark;  but  they  retained  for  the  mod  par^ 
their  primitive  folidity.  The  whole  of  the  wood- work,  indeed, 
feemed  to  have  pafled  through  no  other  hands  than  thofe  of  a 
clumfy  (hip-^carpenter.  The  Sp^nifli  tafte  for  the  elegancies  of 
archite£hire  feems  to  have  been  reftrifted  to  their  religious  ftruc^ 
tures.  They  are^  however,  to  be- commended  for  providiiig  all 
their  American  towns  with  a  fquare.  The  fquare  in  this  tovvii 
is  not  only  a  decoration,  but  the  means  of  rendering  the  governor's 
houfe,  and  the  courts  of  juftice,  more  airy,  pleafant,  and  health^ 
ful.  In  the.  Weft-quarter  of  the  town  ftand  thq  gaol.fpr  the 
county  of iM iddlefex^  a  free-(chool,  a  poor<-houfe,  and  the  ihzm^ 
bles.  The  gaol  is  a  fquare  of  eighty-five  feet,  and  contains  an  opc^i 
area  within  of  about  fifty-two :  it  is  under  the  dire^H^ion  and  ma- 
nagement of  the  provoft-marfhal,  or  his  deputy,  who  iometj^nes 
is  net  fo  careful  as  besought  to  be  in, ordering  the  apartments  to  be 
kept  clean  and  wholefome:  on  the  contrary,  the  rgom:  appointed 
for  the  reception  of  felons,  which  runs  along  one  .fide  of  the  court, 
is  fo  Idaded  with  filth  in  general^  as  to  be  perfeftly  peftilential, 
not  only  to  the  mifcrable  wretches  who  are  there  confined,  but  to 
the  poor  debtors,  who  now  and  then  jare  indulged  with  liberty  of 
accefs  into  the  court  by  way  of  enjoying  a  (hort  walk  in  the  open 
air :  add  to  this,  that  on  the  outfide  of  the  wall  there  is  fufifered 
a  conftant  accumulation  of  putrid  mvd  and  water,  fufiicient  to 
poilbn  all  the  neighbouring  atmofphere.  In  this  delightful  place 
of  cuftody  debtors  ahd  maicfaOcorp  of  all  forts^  all  fexes^  and  com^ 
plexions,  are  promiicUoufly  crowded;  a  circumftance  highly  dilj- 
graceful  to  the  publick  humanity,  more  eipecially  in  a  country 
where  it  is  thought  politically  expedient  to  maintain  ^  diftin£tion 
between  Whites  and  Negroes.  It  is  therefore  not  a  little  aftonllh- 
ing,  that  the  debtor  and  the  criminal  (hould  be  huddled  together ; 
and  that  White  perfons,  who  have  committed  no  other  ofience 
than  that  of  iniblvency,  ihould  be  allbciated  with  the  moft  beftiat 
and  profligate  wretches  of  the  Negroe  race,  as  if  it  was  intended  to 
ihew  that  incarceration,  like  death,  is  a  levelcr  of  all  dMlindions. 
The  number  of  perlons  geacrally  in  . confinement  fi^niifts  of  about 

twelve 


BOOK    If.      CHAP.    Vn.  fs 

twelve  Whites  and  oiie  htindrcd  Negroes.  Upon  enquiry  m  lyOtf 
it  was  found  that  the  whole  allowance,  given  to  the  debtors  for 
their  fuftenance,  was  one  pickled-herring  and  fire  plantains  each 
pr  diem  (value  feven-pence  halfpenny)^  or  two  cakes  of  caflada^ 
bread  in  lieu  of  plantains  :  this  was  barely  enough  to  keep  life  and 
foul  together.  From  this  fpecimen^  Ibme  judgement  may  be 
formed  of  the  hardfliips  which  a  malicious  creditor  may  in  thi^ 
country  infiia  upon  his  debtor  j  and  it  is  therefore  not  in  the  leafll 
furprizing^  that,  to  avoid  fuch  company,  fuchfare^  and  abominable 
Ibd^'ilgi  k  debtor  (houM  run  all  hazards,  atid  defefid  himfelf  by 
force  attd  atn^V  rather  thaar  enter  into  this  hole  of  Calcutta.  The 
IaW«,  however,  are  rather  more  favourable  here  than  in  England  r 
for  a  rfebtoK  delivering  an-  account  upon  oath  of  all  his  effe^^s^ 
end  having  nothing  to  maintain  him,  mray  be^  let  to  hire  ra  ojpen 
court;  which  Is  now  a  mere  form,  and'amodeof  his  deliverance;. 
itK^^i^y  creditor,  dtifenting  and  Infiftmg  on  his  continuance  h1'geiel> 
muft'pay  the  debtor  a  weekly  fubfiftance  of  three  (hillings  and  ftft* 
pence  for  fo  long  as  ^.  remains  in  durefle-,  which  by  feme*  meii. 
of  no  feeling  or  princFpIe  has  often  been  done*.  Attempts  have 
been  made  at  different  times  to^  enlarge  this  pfifort,  and  build'  ar 
diftinfV  place  of  confihement  for  debtors  r  but  this  beneficent  puni 
pofe  leems  to  have  beeii  defeated  by  a'li)irirof  jealoufy  fubiiftii^ 
among  the  feading'gentlemen  of  thie'  ilfand  r  fome  having  indulged 
a  principle  of  wantonly  bppofihg  every  fcheme  iand  projeft  bfl^Ferf 
for  the  advantage  of  this  dfevoted  town  ;•  others  ef^eufing  an  opi^ 
nion,  that  the  county  of  Micfdlefex  alone  ought  to  bear  Inch  bixt* 
theiis,  ill  which  itis  pretetjded  that  the  otl^ptwcH  comities  ai^e- not 
at  all  intere(fed^[i/j  ^  while  thofe  who  are  of  tfie^  ififbunty  tfre^  iin^ 
willing  that  the  whole  expence  (hould  be  afeflfeii  upon*  them,  'Hn- 
0ead  of  a  general- ecjual  taxation-;  alledging  thatV  this  town,  being 
the  feat  of  government,  pubJic  officeis,  and  the  chief  courts  of; 
juftice  to  which  civiP  and  criminal  matters  are  often  removed  from 
the  othercounty-courts,  the  buildings  neccf&ry  to  be  ereiJted'  herc^,. 

r  {«/], SjiKC  Jtho aboTe  wa»  wrlttej^  tlie  aifemUy  Have fhown  a. due  bymantty  ta  the  iijfferln^  ot 
ji^it  unfertuaAte  perfons^.  b^  purcha&ng  a. piece  of  land,'  adjoining  to  theSouth  port  of 'the  gnc^l, 
oC^ne  hundM  aaA'Qfcy  by  oae  hundred  wkl  twdnty  feor,.  and  gttoting  zodo/.  i^v  inciofmg'»9d 
Citing ffef>ef  buUdings  upoA  k»  Tbey  have^alfif  etiUrgesl  the. debtor's  allowaxKC  from  i^J,  to 
J/.  t</. /rr  day. 

•■'"'  or.- 


i6  '      J'  h   H   A.  l;:CrA 

Q^  :fuftained  fox  the  publick  conreineuce,  Wgl^f  in  reafon  to  be 
aredcd.and  fuftauied  at  thepublick  charge;  and  undfoubtedly,  if 
the  whole  ifland  is  intereftcd  in  what  concerns  the  feat  of  gqvern-- 
u)cnt,  re-cords,  apd  jifftice,  wbiqhit.certaiuljr.ig,  tbece  is .  full  a§ 
C>upb  reafon  for  a  general  tax  to  rebuild  or  repair  the  gaol  ;^s  ^to* 
rebuild  or  repair  a  houfe  of  refidence  for  the  goverupr,.  Npt  far 
from  the  gaol  Hands  the  free^lchopl,  built  and  partljjr  eo^pv^^ed  at 
the -expence  of  Peter  Beckford^  efq;  .foriwrly  lieuteji^Ht-^ovcrnor 
^f  the  ifland,  who  left  by  will  loooA  currenc;]^;  wjiich  fuoj  was 
borrowed  by  the  pub^c,,and  ro/.  pcrjcept  interptt. ,a|lpwe4  ev?r 
fijiqe  for  the  purppfe  of  ;better  fuppprtipg  it:  augpeAtati^flS  have 
al^  been  made  by  other  legacies ;  fo  .that. the  whole  jncpme  ;il; 
prefent  \%i^ol'f$rAnmnix  of  w^hich  the  naafter  aiiquaJIy  rec^iyeti 
;4o/.  and  .the  &<plus  is  lodged. in  theljaqds  of.  t^  treasurer,  fub-?, 
y&.  j(o  ,faph  ufes  as  the  governors  (conjGiling .  xjtf  th^  whole  ic- 
giflative  .  t>p4y..  of.  fhe-  jflan^  .the  J^dgef;1pf  jthe  .fupreme  poijirt,. 
apd  tbfe^.rectpf  of  tbi^.pariih  fpr  the  .tipje  being)  inay  think  fit.  t(^ 
.d|ireft.  T|iis  foundation  tvas  in9qrpa.ra ted  by  an  a£t  o^  aiTenjtbly^ 
and  designed :for  tlie.iuftcu^ipn  of  a  certain  uumber  pf  boys^^thp 
offgpf  ing  of  poor  pi)reiitsi,  in  re,adli>g^  wrltiixg,  granamar,  arith- 
rn^ic,  and  Other  mechanical,  and  pra^t^cal  kxiqw^le(^ge«  It  has  gci- 
iiprajiyffonajtweaty-fivj?  to  thirty  poor  boys;,  aiid,,  i(^  was  well 
regulatj^d,  it  might  prove  air u/efui./enq^oairy;  fqqh  ,aii  educatioa 
beiuig  fufficient  to  qu^}ffy  t^erboys  for  ,a.yariety/jqf.p^fit;abJle  ej?if 
ployraefits  in  the  ifland  ;  but  it  miay  be  propounqed  of  this,  as  of 
many  other  charities  pf  the  like  kind^  that  as  yet  it  has  ilUanfwered 
the  intent  of  its  fopodcr^  Near  the  fchopl  is  the  ihfiimbles  or  mar^ 
ket-houfe,  whpre  tha  butchers  meat  fla,uglitered  in  tshis  town  is  hy 
law  appoinjied  to  jl^e  fold.  }t  is  under  the  dkc^ion  of  an  officer^ 
who  ireceives ,  a  yearly  {lipend  as  clerk  of  the  market.  His  bu^ 
^pefs  is^  firfl^  to  fee  that  the  me^t  e^pofed  4;o  fale  is  foqnd  and  fit 
forufe;  and,  if  he,  findS;  it  ptherwife,  he  i^  to  caufe  it  to  be  in^': 
mediately  burat.  j^e  is  ijke wife  to  prove  all  the  fcales  and  weighty 
ufed  here  and  in  thp  different  fhops  within  the  town ;  and^  on  diC- 
covering ^vy  fraud  .pr  deficiency,  he  mjy  levy  the  penalty  impofcd 
hy  law.  He. has  a  pow£r;too  .ofacbitraiioa  in  ail  difput^  that  ma/i 
Jiappen  between  buyer  and  feller  relative  to  Weighing  of  meats  and 

3  othet 


B^OOK     IL        CHAP.    VII.  17 

other  goods.  There  is  a  further  power  likewife  vcfted  in  him  of 
more  importance  than  all  the  reft  ;  which  is,  to  fee  that  no  butcher 
exa^s  more  for  his  meat  than  the  prices  fettled  by  law ;  but  thi^ 
part  of  his  duty  has  never  of  late  years  been  complied  with.  The 
common  prices  of  moft  kinds  of  meat  fold  here  are  now  generally 
double  what  the  law  has  allowed;  and  little  notice  is  taken  of  it. 
The  market  for  butchers  meat  begins  at  day-break,  and  is  ufually 
over  by  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  Jews  have  a  butcher 
of  their  own,  who  flaughters  and  difle^ts  in  the  Mofaic  manner; 
the  fecret  of  which  feems  chiefly  to  confifl:  in  his  choice  of  the 
fatteft,  fined  fubjeds.  The  hofpital  is  a  fmall  diftance  from  the 
market-place.  It  was  founded  by  the  charitable  legacies  and  do* 
nations  of  well-dilpofed  perfons,  and  calculated  for  the  reception 
of  tranfient  poor  perfons;  who  are  lodged,  cloathed,  fed,  and 
properly  taken  care  of :  and  a  gentleman  of  the  faculty  is  paid  an 
annual  falary  by  the  public,  for  attending  their  fick,  and  furniihing 
them  with  fuitable  medicines.  The  barracks  for  the  regular  troops 
are  lituated  in  the  Southern  quarter  of  the  town,  on  an  airy, 
healthful  fpot.  The  front  is  a  lofty  brick-building,  of  two  (lories. 
Behind  4t  is  a  fpacious  (quare  court,  furrounded  with  (hed-rooms: 
they  are  capable  of  holding  three  hundred  men ;  but,  the  accom* 
modations  designed  for  the  officers  having  proved  extremely  im* 
proper  for  the  purpofe,  the  men  are  too  much  left  without  a  due 
contFOul,  moft  of  their  principal  officers  having  lodgings  provided 
for  them  at  feme  diftance  in  the  town ;  fo  that,  for  want  of  their 
reiidence  in  the  barracks,  the  privates  have  often  committed  riots, 
and  other  mifdemeanors  at  night,  in  the  neighbourhood.  Yet 
there  is  a  very  commodious  unoccupied  {pace  adjoining,  where  pro- 
per apartments  might  be  built  for  the  officers ;  in  confeqiience  of 
which,  the  difcipline  of  theie  troops  would  be  much  better  kept 
np,  and  a  final  ftop  put  to  fucb  enormities.  Their  hofpital  ftands 
on  the  Eaft  fide  of  the  town,  near  the  river,  in  a  very  ill-judged 
fituation ;  for  the  fupport  of  which  building,  and  nccefl'aries  for 
their  fick,  the  affembly  makes  every  year  an  ample  provifion. 
Near  it  is  the  powder  magazine  belonging  to  the  town ;  built  of 
brick,  and  capable  of  holding  fifty  barrels ;  this  is  conftantly 
guarded  by  a  centinel.  Juft  acrofs  the  river,  a  fmall  diftance  from 
Vol.  II.  D  this 


i8^T  J    A'  MA    I    C    A. 

this  place,  is  i  lodc-out,  called  Beacon  hill,  which  Bad  ibrmerly 
a  ftaff  and  colours  raifcd  upon  it,  for  the  purpofe  of  giting  alarm. 
As  there  is  a  very  extcrifive  view  from  the  fummit,  commanding 
the  harbour  of  Port  Royal,  and  the  Eaftern  (hip-channel,  in  the 
offing,  this  appears  the  moft  proper  fcite  for  erefting  a  fortrefs,  if 
one  fhould  ever  be  thought  neccfiary  for  better  defending  the  town. 
At  prefent,  here  is  neither  fort  nor  battery;  all  its  defence  confifts 
in  fourteen'  or  fifteen  foxall  brafs  ficld-picces,  honey-combed  with 
age,  and  committed  to  the  care  of  a  captain,  a  lieutenant,  and  a  * 
company  of  matrofles,  all  of  the  militia ;  who  flafli  a  little  powder  ' 
from  this  train  of  artillery,  to  announce  the  royal  birth-day,  and 
a  few  other  joyous'  occafions  [e],  Befides  thefe,  are  two  or  three 
eotapanies  pf  regulars,  and  five  or  fix  of  horfe  and  foot  militia,  a 
mifdley  of  Chriftians>  Jews,  Pagans,  Negroes,  and  Miilattoes. 
The  Jews,  who  are  numerous  here,  have  a  convenient  burial- 
gr^Qund  walled  in,  at  fbme  diftance  out  of  the  town ;  and  a  fyna* 
gogiie  idthe  Eaftern  quarter,  not  far  from  the  river:  this  place  of 
woHhqp  has  feveral  well-adapted  ornaments.  Here  they  ailemble, 
and  read  a  portion  of  the  Law  and  the  Prophets  every  fdbbath*day. 
The5^  dbferve  rabft  of  their  antierit  featts  and  fafts ;  and  marry^ 
circumcife,  and' bury,  according  to  the  iuftom  of  their  fore-fathers* 
Some  of  them  are  good  men,  and  do  many  benevolent  a£lions  to  * 
GMtlles  as  well  as  their  owm  fraternity ;  but  much  the  greater  part 
of*  them  (I  'ftar)  are  very  felfifh  and  tricking,  fraudulent  in  their 
trdde,  and  rigid  in  their  tranfaAions,  not  only  with  Chriftians, 
but  with  one  another.  Of  the  houfes  ereded  by  the  Spaniards 
before  the  Engliib  conqueft,  upwards  of  fifty  are  ftill  remaining, 
verjr  little  the  worfe  for  time  or  weather.  We  are  not  informed 
of^he  particular  time  when  they  were  built.  The  town  was  twice 
taken;  firft,  by  Sir  Anthony  Shirley  in  1592;  and  afterwards  by  ' 
coloneljackfbn,  about  the  year  1638;  but  hiftory  does  not  men- 

[<]  It  defenrcs  the  attention  of  die  legiflature,  whether  their  procuring  a  new  train  ofiidd- 
pieces,  of  moderate  fize,  and  a  company  of  ikilful  European  matroiTesi  would  not  be  of  the  uxmoik 
importance  to  the  defence  of  theiflaad.  Whoever  hat  read  the  progrefi  made  in  Hindoftan,  by 
a  handful  of  European  troops,  cannot  but  be  ailoniihed  at  the  vidories  they  gained  agaiaft  fuch 
unequal  number^  and  fbldy  by  the  right  management  of  their  artillery.  A  imali  body  of  men, 
I  with  fochabiflWarkyroay  refill  all  the  efRnts  of  fifty  times  their  number,  who  have  no  actiUery : 
•ad  it  it  no  kit  leraocable  in  an  open  utmnf  dun  in  defending  a  pafi. 

tioD 


BO.pK    IT.      CHAP.    VII.  19 

rion    that  they  dcftroyed  the  JiOufcs.     It  is  prepty  certain  they 
ought  to  be  regarded  as  antienti  as  it  is  how  near  one  hundred  and 
twenty  years  fince  the  invafion  under  Vc^ablcs.    Their  duratioa 
for  {p  long  a  time  in  defiance  of  earithquakes  and  hurricanes,  fbme 
of  which,   fince  the  Englifh  fettled  here,  have  been  fo  violent  as  to 
demoliih  fey^ral  more  modern  buildings^  is  a  demonftratlvc  proof 
of  the  Spanifh  fagacity,  and  affords  ahufeful  leiibn  to  the  EngHfli 
inhabitants;  for  although  thefe  houfes  are  inconveniently  fmall, 
yet  this  can  be  no  objedtion  to  the  method  of  ftrufture,  fince  it 
would  be  eafy  to  enlarge  the  plan,  by  lengthening  the  front,  or 
by  building  three  fides  of  a  fcjuare  after  the  Eaftern  manner,  which 
allows  fufficient  range  for  a  great  variety   of    apartments.     'The 
Spaniards  had  to  guard  againft  the  fudden  concuffion  of  earthquakest 
the   impctuofity  of  hurricanes,   the  drift  of  the  heavy  periodical 
rains,  and  the  heat  of  the  fun.     We   find  their  houfes  excellently 
well  contrived  to  anfvirer  thefe. different  purpofes;  with  the  further 
n^erit,  that  the  materials  of  which  they  are  built  were  cautioufly 
prepared  in  fuch  a  manner  as  to  become  extremely  durable.     A  cer- 
tain number  of  pofts  of  the  hardeft  timber,  generally  lignum  vita^ 
brazilletto,  or  fuftick,  of  about  eighteen  feet  in  length,  and   fix 
to  eight  inches  diameter,  being  firfl:  well-feafoned  and  hardened  in 
fmoak,  were  fixed   at  proper  diftances  to  the  depth  of.  two   or 
three  feet   in  the  ground;    then  a  wall  of  brick,  inclofing  thefe 
pofts,  was  carried  up  with  very  ftrong  ootortar  to  the  plate,  which 
was  pinned  with  wooden  fpikes  to  the  tops  of  the  pofts.      The 
main  rafters  were  fmall,  but,    being  of  the  like  hard  wood,   and 
perfeflly  weU-feafoned,   were  fufficiently  ftrong :  thefe  were  like- 
wife  pinned  upon  each  other,  and  at  their  angle  of  interfe£tion  at 
top  formed  a  crutch,  to  receive  the  ridge-pole.     The  fmaller  raf- 
ters were  of  the  lefler  ebony  trees,   ftript  of  their  bark,  hardened 
in  fmoak,   notched  at  bottom,  and  being  placed  at  the  diftance  'of 
about  eighteen  inches  from  each  other,  were  pinned  to  the  plate* 
.Athwart  thefe  fmall  rafters,  a  ftratum  of  the  wild  cane  (arundo 
IniikaBambufpeaesJ^pTevioxiilyimQSLk^dj  was  tied  on  by  w^y 
of  wattling,  with  ftraps  made  of  the  bark  of  the  mohoe  or  man- 
grove  trees.     Upon  thefe .  wattles,  ferae  mortar  was  laid,  to  the 
thicknefs  of  about  four  inches ;  and  the  .whole  cqfVM'ed  with  large 

D  2  .  pantiles. 


20  JAMAICA. 

pantiles,  well  bedded  in.  The  tbicknefs  of  thcfe  roofs,  from  the 
outward  (hell  or  tile-covering,  to  the  ceiling  within,  was  about 
eight  or  ten  inches.  A  canopy  of  fb  fblid  a  texture  was  certainly 
well  contrived  to  ihelter  the  inhabitants  from  the  difagreeable 
efFedts  of  a  vertical  fun ;  and  accordingly  it  is  found  by  experience, 
that  theie  old  Spauifli  houfes  are  much  cooler  than  our  modern 
ones,  covered  with  (hingles  (or  flips  of  wood  half  an  inch  thick, 
formed  like  flates),  which  are  not  only  very  fubje£t  to  be  fplit  in 
nailing,  and  fo  create  leaks,  but  are  not  (olid  enough  to  exclude 
the  fun*s  impreffion,  nor  lie  fo  compaft  as  to  prevent  a  Ipray  from 
being  driven  in  by  the  wind  in  heavy  (bowers,  which  occa(ions 
a  moift  and  unwholefome  atmofphere  within  doors.  Befides,  the(e 
fhingled  tenements  are  very  hot  in  the  day-time,  and  cool  at 
night ;  whereas  the  Spani(h  houfes  preferve  a  more  equal  tem- 
perament of  air  by  day  and  by  night.  Their  materials  preferve 
them  greatly  from  accidents  by  fire ;  and,  coniidering  their  fla- 
.  bility,  they  feem  to  be  the  cheapeft  and  heft*  contrived  kind  of 
buildings  for  this  ifland.  It  is  plain,  therefore,  that  the  £ngli(h, 
in  negleding  thefe  ufeful  models,  and  eftablilhing  no  manufaffture 
of  tiles,  but  erecting  lofty  houfes  after  the  models  in  the  mother- 
country,  and  importing  an  immenfe  quantity  of  North-American 
Ihingles  every  year  for  covering  new  roofs,  and  repairing  old  ones, 
confult  neither  their  perfonal  (ecurity,  their  convenience,  their 
health,  nor  thefaving  of  a  mod  uunecelTary  expence[y*]. 

The  chief  error  the  Spaniards  committed  in  their  buildings  was 
the  placing  their  ground-floors  too  low :  thefe  were  nearly  on  a 
level  with  the  furface  of  the  earth  out  of  doors,  or  at  mofl  raifed 
only  a  few  inches  higher.  Some  of  their  houfes  in  the  town  have, 
indeed,  acquired  a  railed  foundation  in  the  courfe  of  time ;  for,  the 
torrents  of  rain  having  gradually  wafhed  and  hollowed  the  flreets 

[/]  It  k  leniaiked  by  UUoa,  that  the  walls  of  Caxamaixn  (an  Indian  town  in  Peru),  and  o£ 
feveral  hou&s  in  the  neigfabouxing  Tallies,  althou^  built  on  the  very  fuperficies  of  the  earth  with* 
out  any  foundation,  have  withfbod  thofe  violent  earthquakes  which  overthrew  the  more  folid 
buildings  of  Lima,  and  other  large  towns,  eredied  by  the  Spaniatds*  Es^perience  intruded  the 
{  aadvesy  ihas^  in  paits  (b  liable  to  earthquakes,  it  was  ijnproper  to  dig  a  foundation  in  order  to 
AECngtben  the  waQs*  He  mentions  it  as  a  tradition,  that,  when  the  ncwiy-conquered  Indians  dam 
the  Spaniards  fink  foundations  for  their  lofty  buildings,  they  hughed,  and  told-them,  ^^they  were 
^  digging  their  own  graves  i'*  intimating,  that  earthquakes  would  bory  them  ondcr  ihe  ruin»  of 
Aek  houfes ;  «  prophecy  which  has  been  moll  6iaUy  verified  in  the  fequeL 

in 


5 

•^ 


BOOK    II.      CHAR      Vn.  zi 

in  fome  parts  lower  and  lower,  the  fucceffive  inhabitants  of  thefe 
hdufes  were  obliged  to  add  a  foundation  where  the  water  had  un» 
dermined  the  walls,  and  from  time  to  dme,  as  the  earth  happened 
to  be  fwept  away  ;  fo  that  the  foundatioiis  oif  inah^of  thefe  an- 
ticnt  piles  have  in  fa£t  been  laid  long  fince  the  fuperftrufture.  Their 
houfes  had  no  piazzas  originally  :  the  Englifh  made  thefe  additions, 
in  order  to  render  them  more  cool  and  pleafant.  But  they  have 
been  attended  with  fome  inconvenience  in  another  refpe<S ;  for,  the 
ftreets  being  laid  out,  fome  of  thirty,  and  others  not  exceeding 
forty,  feet  in  breadth,  thefe  iheds  mcroach  fo  far  on  each  fide,  that 
the  midway  is  too  narrow,  and  liable  to  obftru£t  carriages.  The 
Englifh  in  general  have  copied  the  ichnography  of  the  Spanifti 
honfes   with  great  uniformity  [g-].     They  are,  for  the  moft  part, 

»  difpofed  in  three  divifions:  the  centre  rooai  is  a  h^ll,  comcnuni- 
cating  at  each  end  with  a  bed-chamber;  the  back  part,  ufpally  a 
fhed,  is  divided  in  the  fame  manner,  and  cbnoLmunicates  with  the 
front,  or  principal  hall^  by  an  arch,  which  in  (bme  houfes  is  wain- 
(cotted  with  mahogany,  in  others  covered  only  with  plaiften'Th'ey 

•  are  fmall,  and  rather  inconvenient  foi*  a  family,  efpecially'  when  it 
confifls  of  fix  or  feven  perfons^.  Great  alterations  have,  however, 
been  made  by  the  Engl ifli  inhabitants ;  and  feveral  of  thefe  pld 
houies  have  received  very  confiderable  additions,  which  maki  ihtm 
more  roomy  and  commodiotiSi  In  th^  piazzas  many .  fatriiKe^  may 
be  faid  to  live  the  greater  part  of  theii*  time  i  the  (hade  |arf(i"te- 
frefliing  breeze  inviting  them  to  employ  moft  hours  there,  that  ire 
not  devoted  to  eatipg,  drinking,  andfleeping:  nor  can  there  be  a 
more  agreeable  indulgence  enjoyed  by  the  mafter  of  the  houfe, 
than  to  fit  in  an  elbow-chair,  with  his  feet '  refting  agaiftft'  p'nd  of 
the  piazza- columM ;  in  this  attitude  he  converfes,  fmtoaks  his'  pipe, 
'  or  quaffs  his  tea,*  in  all  the  luxury  of  indoIeAce.  Alnroft  'evifry 
dweliing^houfe  throughout -the  ifland  is  detached  from  the  kitchen 

-  and  other  offices;  which,  though  different  froAi  the  praftice 'in 
England,  is  a  very  judicious  arrangement  for  this"  climate,  whdre 
the  fumes  and  fmoak  of  the  kitchen;  iand  the  ffench  of  other  ifc- 
ceflary  offices^  would  be  iritolefablc-m'too  liear  a  neighbburhodd. 
But  few  of  the  inhabitants  are  curious  in  the  decorations  of  their 

[£]  Sec  Plate  IV. 

apartments; 


.42  X    A.  M    A    I    C  .A. 

apartments ;  the  halls  ?^rc  feUom  adorned  with  any  thing  bcj^tcr 
.than  a  large  picrrglafe  or  two,  a  few  prints,  or  maps:  the  grcateft 
•    expence  is  bcftowcd  upon  the  arch  of  the  principal  hall,  which  is 
,  generally  oif  ^mahogany,  and  in  fprne  houfes  well-executed.    They 
have  for  the  mpft  part  fluted  pilafters,  fupporting  a  regular  enxa^ 
iblature,  oriiajnented  with  modillons»  dentils,  &c.     But  it  is  more 
,  frequent  to, behold  all  the  orders  of  architefture  confuledly  jumbled 
together.      The  windows  of  the  Spanifh  houfes  were  generally 
made  with  little  turned  pillars,  placed  upright,  and  (butters  on  the 
l"  infide.    .However 'Convenient  thefe  might  have  been  for  the  conftant 
.aimiffion  of  air,  they  are  at  prefent  almoft  tptally  exploded,  and 
.  iafhejs  more.^enetraliy  in  ufe ;  to  which  are  added  jcaloufy-fliuttcrs, 
V  or  Venetian  blinds,  which  admit  the  air  freely,  and  exclude  ^he 
'  fun-fhine.     It  is  but. of  late^  that  the  planters  have  paid  much  at- 
tention to  elegance  in  their  habitations  :  their  general  rule  was,. to 
build  what  they  called  a  maJie-fbift ;  fo  that  it  was  not  unufual » to 
lee  a  plantation  adorned  with  a  very  expenuve  let  of  works,  ^  of 
_  ibrick.  or  Itone,  w^ll-^xecuted  y^  and  the  owner  rending  in  a  miferat^le^ 
/^thatched  hovel,  hjiftily  put  together  with  wattles  and  plaifteri  daf9p» 
•unwholefome,  and  infefled  with  every  fpecies  of  vermin.     But  the 
,  lioufes.  in  general,   as  well  in  the  country-parts  as.  the  towns,  h^ve 
*'beeii  greatly  improved  within  theifc  laft  twenty  years.     Thefur- 
\^  culture  of  ibme  of'  thenx  is  exJtreipely  coftly ;  aiid  others  cooftru«£^ed 
in  lb  magni^cent  a  flyle,  and  of  fuch  durable  naaterials,  as  to  ihew 
that  they  were  not  intended  for  a  mere  temp9rary  refidence. 

it  might  not  be  foreign  to  the  fubjeA  here  to  remark,  that,  jby 

the  general  u(e  of.  ihingle  coverings,  throughout  the  Northern  aad 

,,WeftJndia  colonies;  and  the  utter  negle<Sfc  of  planting  young  tx^es 

in, the  room, of  what  are  cut  dpwn  for  this  m,anufaft^re,  it  is  yery^ 

certain^  tlwt  they ^ will  every  year  grow  dearer  to  the.fugar  iftaR^^i 

\^nd  that. the  price  rnay  increafc,  til} . the  people  of  Janaaica  \yiHbe 

forced  cither  to  employ  their  own  growth  of  timber  for  this  ufe, 

^  or  fell  upon  t^le-making.     The  builders,  therefore,  pf^new  houfes, 

or  works,  fhould  confider  this,  and  make  their  walls  of  a.^ue 

jthtckjids  to.  iuftaiu  iiich  an  additipn^  weight;  hereafter. 

...  -     '  '     • 

SECT. 


BOOK    IF.      CHAP.      VII.  x^ 


SECT,  u.; 

THE  river  Cobre,  which  waflies  the  foot  of  the  town  on  the  ^ 
Eaft,  takes  its  fbarce  near  Luidas,  and"  about  twenty-two  miles 
North- weft  from  the  town,  rifing  in  a  cave,  called  River-head, .  and 
fuppofed  by  many  to  have  a  fubterraneous  communication  with^^ 
Pedro's  river,  which  is  diftant  from  it  about  fix  miles  Weft.     The 

»  I 

Cobre  likewife  buries  great  part  of  its  waters,  and  does  not  form 
any  confiderable  ftream  till;  it  has  run  fome  diftance  from  the  cave. 
It  is  afterwards  joined  by  the  Rio  Magno,  Rio  d'Oro,  and  Rio  Pe- 
dro, with  ibme  fmaller  ftreams;  fo  thatj  on  reaching  the  town.  It  ' 
is  from  fixty  to  eighty  feet  in  breadth,  and  in  feveral  places  very 
deep,  but.  in  others  generally   fordable,  unlefs  fwelled  with  the 
h6avy   rains   which  fometimes  fall  in  the  mountains  above.      Its  ' 
bed,  where,  it  ranges  near  the  town,  h  depfefled  and  lowly,  the 
i?irater  being  in  general   not '  difcernible  beyond  the  verge  of  its 
banks.     The  current  here  is  rapid|,-  thpughalmoft  filent.    It  is  of  ' 
UEifpeakable  fervice  to  this  neighbourhood,  not  cMily  in  its  <:onftaiil:  ^ 
fupply  of  water,  for  the  ufe  of  the  town,  but  in  promoting  clcaii-  - 
linefs  and  health;  for  every  day  throughout  the  year  Ibme  liuhdred  ^' 
Negroes  and  Mulattoes  of   both   fexes ^refort ta  it  from  thfc' town,  i ' 
to  wafh  their  peribns  and  linen,. 

It. has  been  imagined,  that  the  Spaniards  gave  it  the  name  of  the 
Copper  river,  from  its  paffing  through  a  vein  of   that  metaL  "  But  ' 
it  is  more  probable,  that  they  chriftened  it  after  a  fimilar  name  of  ' 
fome  river  ia  Old  Spain,  as  they  .ate  known  to.  have  done  in  regard  * 
to  many  others,  and  in  particular  the  Rib  MinHb,.in  the  parrfti  off 
Clarendon.  Befides,  although  its  water  appears  to  have  a  fine  blueifli^ 
tinge,  efpecially  where  it  runs  between  the  two  ranges  of  hillis  pro- 
ceeding from^  Sixteen-mile- walk,,   which  has  confirmed  many  in  ? 
their  opinion  of  its  being  tindured  with  copper ;  yet  this  appear-^ 
ance  is  nothing  niore  than  a  common  deception,  caufed  by  the 
azure' of  the  Iky  refleded  from  the  furface  of  the  water,  and  re-    . 
markable  chiefly  where  it  is  deepeft,  the  current  moft  gentle,  and  ' 
confcquently  the  furface  extremely  fmootb,  and  therefore  in  the /' 
4  fitttft  r 


i.i 


24  JAMAICA. 

fittfeft  ftate  to  refleia  images ;  and  to  this  efFeft  the  grejtt  height  and 
vicinity  of  the  inclofing  ridges  very  much  contribute  [A].  It  is 
ftrange,  indeed,  that  the  exf«eriment,  tried  upon  it  fo  long  ago  by 
Sir  William  Beefton,  has  not  cotrefted  this  popular  error;  for  he 
found,  that  with  an  infufion  of  galls  the  water  acquired  a  deep 
green  inclining  to  black  [/].  But  the  moft  certain  teft  of  an  in- 
termixture of  copper  is  made  with  the  cauftic  volatiie  alkali,  as  fpirit 
of  fal  ammon..  combined  with  quick  lime-water;  thefc,  if  the 
fmalleft  particles  of  copper  be  diflblved,  would  caufe  the  whole  to 
affume  a  beautiful  blue  colour.  This  experiment  was  tried  fome 
years  fince  by  Doftor  Browne,  without  producing  any  fuch  effed. 
Now,  as  the  teft  of  an  iron  impregnatioti  is  the  black  or  dulky  co- 
lour it  ftrikes  with  the  vegetable  aftringents,  fuch  astinfbure  of 
galls,  and  as  thejo^le  alkali  will  give  a  greenifh  caft,  it  feems  pro- 
bable that  this  river  is  impregnated  with  no  other  metal  than  iron, 
and  with  a  copious  admixture  of  a  calcareous  earth,  or  lime. 
The  purgative  quality  of  the  water,  when  drunk  immediately  from 
ithe  river,  is  very  properly  conjeflured  by  Doftor  Browne  to  proceed 
from  the  clay  With  which.it  is  in  general  copioufly  charged;  be- 
caufe  it  lofes  this  quality  when  fettled  in  jars  and  cleared  of  its 
load ;  which  would  not  be  the  cafe  if  it  proceeded  from  falts,  or  a 
folution  of  metals'^  and  hecaufe  many  other  waters,  of  limilar  ap- 
pearance, poflcfs  the  like  qualities  in  their  turbid  ftate,  though 
known  to  be  not  impregnated  with  metallic  fubftances.  Agreeably 
to  this  opinion,  it  is  found  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,"  who 
keep  this  water  in  large  jars,  that,  after  ftanding  for  fbme  time  till 
the  fteculencies  have  fubfided,  it  entirely  lofes  the  effeft  juft  men- 
tioned, and  becomes  as  clear,  loft,  and  pleafant,  in  its  depurated 
ftate,  as  any  water  in  the  world.  In  this  ftate  it  was  tried  by  an  hy- 
droftatical  apparatus,  and  found  equal  in  lightnefs  to  Briftol  Hot- 
well  water.  We  may  therefore  fafely  conclude,  that  it  has  been 
very  unjuftly  ftigpxatized ;  and  that,  if  the  Spaniards  fuppofed  it 
impregnated   with    copper,    they    adopted   this    miftaken  notion 

[i]  So  Virgil  calls  th^  ri7.cr  Tyber  reemleUSy  azure,  or  iky-coloured.  Mn.  viii.  ▼•  64.— — ^roc 
vliave  conjectured,  that  the  original  name  was  Rio  Cobra,  from  the  Portugucfc  cohra^  which  fignitics 
a  friake,  and  might  with  great  propriety  allude  to  the  ferpentine  courfe  of  this  river. 

[i]  An  infuiion  of  galli  m  watCTy  impregnated  with  copper  and  quick  limei  (buck  an  orange 
colour  incUmng  to  red(Uih»    '  ,  , 

through 


book:  il    chap.   vii.  25 

through  ignbrance  oF  the  xxieans  by  which  its  col)tents  might  be 
difcovered.  In  Old  Spain  the  water  is  remarkably  light,  pure, 
and  wholefomc:  to  this,^and  the  ferenityof  the  air,  it  is  attributed 
that  the  Sfianiards  are r free  :Gsom  .the .  ic^tvy^  uotwithftanding  theitL 
indulgence  in  pork,  L the /ileaft  pirfpirable  of  all  animal:  food.  Th^ 
Spaniards,  in  Am^riq^  are  <  therefore  (from'  a  national  prejudice) 
particularly  nice  ill  the  choice  of  their  water,  *  which  forms  the 
cl^ief  of  their  daily  beverage. ;  It  is  not  improbable,  what  I  have 
heard ibme. of  the  oldefl:. inhabitants ;of  St..  Jago  relate,,  that  the 
Spaniards  fobrhieJiy::  here  ufed  to .  be  at  the  trouble;  of  procuring 
water^  for;  their  common  drmk^./rom  the.  Bridge  river^  fix  miles 
Weftward  fronvthe  town;,  and  that  all  of  than  kept  their  drinking* 
water  in  large  Jars,  ib  many  in  autnber  as  to  have  always  one  fuf« 
ficientily  .  clear  for  ufk^  while  others  were  in .  the  courfe  of  depura* 
tiott.  .  The  river  Cohre,  having  a  free  curtent  from  the  town 
to  the  harbour  of  Kingiton,  uniiltcrcupt*4:  i^y .  ?Qpks  or  ^f^^s,  and 
flowing  thr6ugh  a.  pretty  lievfel,  openjrolmtQ^  mghn  ink}ftub$e4ly, 
be  made  navigable  up  to  it  .by.ipfA»$  o^Jccl|^&:;  but  the  expence.  of 
fuchaa  undertiakingt  and  the  ihort  .didaiice.of!  landrcarriage,  are. 
objections  that  may;  probably,  reftrain.  {he ^iqbabitaots  from  ever 
attempting  it.  Tbe^.rivej  abounds  vyjltb.  expclleftt  fquUets^  mud«: 
fifli,  eels,  calapevwi  jewrfiferiiraw-:ftih^  ^Ojj  prawii?.(  j  it  has  only 
wchri^igic^  whkh  :hQ  rqff^rijJMv^:  tpwgrds  Siixte^n-: 

miierwalktr:  ,^ThiaiMdg%i^  Qafeic^^flvi^^  oa  a. 

frame  of  timber-WiOrksriVvhichrr^s  i)pqn.t;woi  fexangular  piers,  and 
two  buttrefies  projeding  frofspi  the  bonks,  conftru6led  with  piles, 
9nd  tiraces  JoX^rbc^d  witl\  jx^afgnrj;..  Ifi  great  floods,  the  river  has 
beenrknowA  liQjrifi^  fewfftl  $5pt  ab9ve  th^  floor  without  injury,  pot- 
with{landii%  the  vaft  preiliire  of  fb  large  a  column  of  water,*  This 
i«  iifcdbed  tjo  ^tbe  ri^fta^cf.  of  the  water  below  or  upder  the 
flooriogf ;  wt^ich , enables  it  to  fuftaiii  this  weight  above.  In  the 
year  1^99^  an fiirclied  bridge  of  brick-was  qonftruded  fome  miles 
below  thj^j .to;M{n9  Jf^  >  pr4er  { tO)  keep  ppea ,  tl)e  communication  by 
land  with  Kingfton ;  but,  for  want  of  a  proper  foundation,  it  was 
fooniwcpt  iwtty^ bv  a  flood,  and  never' fince  re-built.  Attempts. 
bave,j(|Uteiy;  j^pjeij  v^^^  tp,  gel;  an  ^d  pafled  for  'building  one  at  the . 
publick  expencci  and  more  conveniently  fituatea;  but,  through 
;VoL.  II  E  the 


26  J    A    M    A    1 1 C    a; 

fame  fplrit  of  jealoufy  which  I  have  before  noticed^  and'  the  dHm- 
dination  of  many  to  confider  it  as  a  matter  of  ^neral  benefit  to  the 
ifland,  the  fcheme  was  laid  ftfidc  [*].  So  thatpecfons^  traveUmgby 
land  to  and  from  Kingfton,  or  the  £aftetii  diviiioQ  of  the  iflaiM!^ 
are  obliged  to  ford  or  ferry  over  th?  xamrj  and,  ver)^  frequently  at 
the  peril  of  their  lives.  Ridkulous  as  .the  pre^iidkes  .of  faj^ioft: 
are  in  fo  fmall  a  community^  yee  thiey.'are  capatdifil /of  producing 
mifehievous  t&€t$^  Publick  fpirit^  and  a  liberal!  wky  of  thinkiagf 
naturally  tend  to  the  ornament  and  improvement  of  ewrji  codnttyi 
where  they  refide.  The  contrary,  dr  a  perverie  and  ielfiih  pfincipl^ 
excludes  every  thing  that  is  great  and  generoua  frbai^its  narmw 
view,  aiKl  wages  eterniail  war  Bgiiiuft  the  public  .welfare..  I  am 
fbrry  to  fay  th^  latter  i^ule  of  ooodud  bas>  been,  top  predominant 
in  this  ifland;  but  we  will  hope  for  a  time  ^ea  good  ieQlb  and 
re^itude  of  heart*  fball  triumph :pv^v  t^ig  £kHa  and  groveling,  po^ 
Key.  'the  ftre^s  of^  fh^  tbivn^  I  have  reniarhediyiKre  rendered  iti» 
conveniently  mtf4m  by  piaazMts  ^dedto  0OfA  p6  the  Iwufcs;:  the 
worft-efl^  arifing  fr66i^4hei^'want  of  .dUe  br^ackh  i^'  a  great  in«^ 
creafe  Qf  heat  during  the  fokry  months  of  the  year^  the.  wind  not 
having' ipace  enougl^  to  tircutate  flhpely  through  them,  and  ^f^. 
perl^  the  confined  air^  which  becomes  very  disagreeable  ftotfi  riie 
reflection  of  ib-many  brick  i^alb.  >-  They- are  ropaire{l  with  pebbie$^ 
broug^  iromlfhe  r:I^Ter^<H^iii^;  ^«Mch^  ptevenfisth^W  ^iag, flogged 
^itl^mtrd)  asibihe  o^hertoWh^'bf^a  Wefti^liidie6^iai:e,  and  anfwer* 
the  end  of  a  regular^  pavenieiit',  by  not  admitting'  the  rakv- water 
to  ftagnate.  They  are  kept  toIer23>13r  clean  by  a  publidk:  fcaYenger^' 
paid  by  an  annual  afTeffinent  on  the  hotif^s ;  an^  the  BSsAi  eoUofted 
from  them  is  removed  to  certain  placte  kppoiAttdoci!  Che  ouiiide 
of  the  town.-'  ■         -   ^     -  '"  '•  ''•  .  '"■•    -  ■-*  ":  •''  :-  -^     •- ' 

The  church -yardi  being  fiMirfted  in  tfce-  Windward^ part  <rf^ the 
town,  is  very  injodicioufly  -allotted  for  the  comnaon  burial^routid.' 
Dry  weather  occafions  numberlefs  cha(ms  in  it^  and  the  wet,  whicll 
ufually  fucceeds,  infinuating  through  t^ie  apertures  into  the  gravely 


*      V.  < 


[kl  It  is  true,  af  ad  W3^  pa.fkd  iix.iy6y,aai^tffi&ec^A^v^ 
But,  as  this  ad  only  empowered  them  to  receiyie  coooL  from  anv  Deffonsinclmeci io  contribute 


towards 
been  ex 


j!  .  rjtfiere 


I 


B  O  QKjlU  ^  ,C  H:A  R.     VIL  27. 

there  is  reafon  to  believe,  that  noxiouf  cxlialatioHs  rauflrarife  from 
them,  which  cannot  fail.ctf  r«i)d«ri0g  the  atmofpliere  vnivholefome 
to  fuch  houfes  as  lie  in  a  proper  dirtdion  to  receive  them.  In  the 
hot  months^  parttcul^rl/  Junbi  Another  antiojauce  happens  froErt 
the  duft;  whicfh^  bythfi  po\wi:bf  the  feft-breeze,  generally  violent  • 
at  thitt  time  of  the  year^  is  blown,  ihta  the  hdufes  i«  fuch  at>uu«'. 
dance^  aa  to  bd.  exceestiagl/:  troidibU^pfm^,  APd  ocdaiipn  fore  ey^s;: 
the  particke  idc  ib  fujptliit  that  it  ci9  v^ry  cocnmon  tp  iee  a  diiiitig- 
table,  which  faaa  been  perfedly  clean  beforje  the  cloth  was  laid, 
appear  entirely:  c6vered  trith  a  fine  powdfcr  lipoil  removing 
it.  The  inhabitants,  if  they  ihut  their  doors  and  windows, 
arc  almoft  fdfFdCtttM  with  heat;  ind^  if  they  ftffFer  them  to  con- 
tinue open,!  |hey  are  iii  datiget  of  being  flifled  with  duft-;  but,  ne- 
ceflity  obligffig  theni  to  the  lattef  expedient,  ^they  fwalloW  k  co- 
pioufly  with  their  food.  Thefe  annoyances  might  attrad  compaf- 
fion,  if  they  were  not  eafily  remediable :  the  firft,  by  taking  in  a 
new  burial-ground  a  little  to  leeward  of  the  town ;  the  hext,  by 
m^ng  xtGt  of  water-carts,  to  iprinkle  the  ftreets,  once  oroftener  in 
the  day,  during  that  time  of  the  year  when  the  duft  has  been  found 
moft  troublefome :  fo  fine  a  river  gliding  under  the  town  fecms,  in- 
deed,  to  point  out  this  experiment  to  them  fo  obvioufly,  that  it  is 
aftonifliing  they  have  hitherto  neglefted  it.  The  ^ir  of  the  town 
has  always  been  efteemed  Jiwealthy.  But  it  is  on  the  dccreafe  with 
rcfpea  to.  inhabitants.  Jtippears,  from  the  regifter  of  marriages, 
birtht^  and  burials,  that,cfi;pm  1670  to  1700,  the  town  and  parifti 
contained  above  lour  rimes  nldre  white  perfons  than  at  prefeut. 
They  have  cven-didiiniflied  fioce  the  year  1746,  as  will  appear  by 
the  following  avdragc-tabkr  oC  bOrials  from  that  year  to  1756  : 

Yfhyt6    ^ ,  .Wkye  Paupcrg  Free  Blacks  and 

Re&u»a,      andTr^niWats.     *  doIcTiers.  Mufattoes.         Total. 

Average /^ri  , 

annum  of}  61  124.  I5       '        164  io4« 

Deatlw,   J        ' 
According  to  the  above  table,,  the  whole  number  of  Whites,  ex- 
cTufi^e  of  ]eii9i;'vr9i  profcably  abom  twcf  thoofand,  or  near  fix  hun« 
dtid  ttukt  thin  tftef  pttiktit.  f*ro«i  the  beff  accounts  it  af)pears,  that 
the  average  bf^  msirria^Sy  i>apif}fm$,  an j funerais,,  (lands  thus: 

-      -     '•'^   !'c.'  'EiS  Marriages, 


f  f 


28  JAMAICA.  ? 

Marriages,    —     14*^ 

Baptifms,      —    8o>/^r  annum. 

Funerals,  —  looj 
Of  the  baptifhxs,  not  above  one*third  are  Whites ;  the  marriages 
include  all  ranks  and  complexions ;  but  the  ibldiers,  paupers,  traa^ 
fients,  and  free  Blacks  and  Cafts,  make  up  the  greateft  part  of  the 
burials.  Hence  it  appMrs,  that  the  marriages,  and  confequently 
the  births,  are  In  no  proportion  to  the  deaths ;  and  the  decreafe  c^^ 
people  may  from  this  caufe  be  very  naturally  accounted  for.  The 
number  of  the  inhabitants  in  this  parifh  may  be  thus  eftimated, 
viz.  ■•'..'.* 

Refiant  Chriftian  Whites     Ditto  in  the    Wlnte  Paupeiv    SoUien,  iododing    Jews.  FreeBlacbr. 
intheTowo.       ^  .      Country.      an4TnafientSf  Wives  andChildreii.  and  Calls. 

700  308  176  '  ,  240  3 j^o      900  * 

Deaths  ^ 
annually  >i  in  24  i  in  22  x  in  16     1  itl  26'  i  tn26 

about     J 

Inhabitants.  In  Town.        In  th»  Country.         Total  in  the  Parilh,  of 

Chriftian  Whites,  700               308                 ^^  Compicxi^w. 

Paupers  and  Tranfients,  176                                                     ^  1 

Soldiers,  &c.  '  240 

Jews,  300                 50     

Free  Blacks  and  Cafts,  800                100 

Slaves,  i960  -       5348 


^       4176  *    5806     i  .    998a 

The  regifters  in  this  parifh  have,  like  moft  of  the  others  in  the 
ifland,  been  very  incorreSly  kept.  They  are,  however,  tolerably  * 
perfeft  from  1669  to  1702,  and  from  1746  to  the  prefent  time. 
The  want  of  due  regularity  prevents  them  in  general  from  being 
ufeful  for  grounding  calculations  of  this  fort.*  If  the  feveral  reftors 
had  been  obliged  to  enter  attefted  copies  of  their  regifters  once  a  " 
year  in  the  fecretary's  office,  we  fhould  have  poiTelied  very  compe- 
tent information  upon  this  fubjeA. 

The  Jews  here  are  remarkably  healthy  and  long-lived,  notwith- 
flanding  their  diet  js  frequently  falt«fi(h,  and  fuch  kind  pf  a^irQent, 
not  generally  efteepied  very  wholefome;  ^nd  that^th^  greater  num- 
ber of  them  deal  m  damaged  ialt^butter,  herrings,  beef^  cheefe, ' 

and 


BOOK    U.       CHAP.    Vn.  99 

aod  ill  train-oil;  a  congregation  of  ftinking commoditlds,  which  is 
enough  to  poifbn  the  air  of  their  habitations.  Their  (hops  may  bo 
feented  at  a  great  diAance ;  and,  in  what  is  called  the  Jew-market 
in  this  town,  a  whole  flreet  of  their  houfes  reeks  inceflantly  with 
thefe  abominable  odours.  But  theie  people  are  abftemious,  and  Co 
temperate,  that  a  drunken  Jew  is  rarely,  feen.  They  are  particu- 
larly nice  in. drinking  the,  purefl: water,  which  mo^  of  them  ufe 
unmixed ;  and  others  make  qnly  a  very  fmall  ad^ion  of  rum% 
They  are  exceedingly  fond  of  garlic,  which  generally  has  a  place  in 
airtheirrfauces,  and  is  known  to  be  a  great  antifeptic ;  and  they  in- 
dulge in  chocolate.  The  more  luxurious  among  them  gormondize 
chiefly  on  fi(h;  and  no  doubt  but  their  religious  fads,  of  which 
they  are  very  rigid  obfervers,  now  and  then  interpofing,  ailift  in 
freeing  them  from  noxious  redundancies^  I  think  they  may  be- 
fuppofed  to  owe  their  good  health  smd  longevity,  as  well  as  their 
fertility,  to  a  very,  fparing  nfe  of  ftrong  liquors^  their  early  rifing^ 
their*  indulgence  in  garlic  and  6{hp  their  adherence  to  the.Moi^ic 
Bitual  In  the  choice  of  ibund  and  wholeibme  animal  food,  their 
free  u(e  of  fugar,  chocolate,  and.  nouriihing.  fruita,  their  religion^ 
purificaticms,  and  fafts. ,  The  free  Negroes  and  Mulattoes  fare 
rather  harder  in  refpe£t  of  eatings  and  are  not  fo  ayerfe  ;to  fpirituous. 
liquors;  for. both  men  and  won>en.  are  ft^^cntly  intoxicated:, 
but  their  way  of  life  is  more  laborious;  theya^e  more  abroad  in 
the  .open  air,  which  renders  them  hardier;  and  their  occupations. 
or  amuiements  give  them  fuch  condant  exer<;ife,  as  to  keep  them 
from  fuffering  by  repletion  :  befides,  their .  diet  confifts  chiefly  of 
iK)uri(hing  broths,  in.  which  pulfe  and  vegetables  are  principal  in*, 
gredients.  They  too  are  very  fond  of  good  water  and  chocolate  *^. 
they  indulge  in  fmoaking  tobacco,  devour  large  quantities  of  p?pp^r: 
fuch  as  this. country  produces,  and  feldom  let  a  day  pafs.  without, 
bathing,  and  fcouring  their  {kins.  Their  bodies  and  conilitutions. 
feem  peculiarly  adapted  to  a  hot  climate  ;  yet,  perhaps,  they  owe* 
their  health  not  more  to  this  adaptation,  than  to  their  mode  of 
living ;  fince  it  is  certain,  that  the  native  Whites  in  this  iljand,  I 
mean  iiich  of  them  as  are  not  addifted  to  drunkennefs,  nor  have- 
any ;  hereditary  difiemper,   are  equally  healthy  and  long-lived. 

The 


s4 


$•  .    /J  .A    M-  A    r    C    A 

•  The  greater  morralky,  obfervable  here  amotig  die  ibldierd   an* 
franliciit  Europeans,   muft  be  ^(cfibtd  to  their  imf)arti Ag  with  them* 
fhc  Engliih  cuftoms  of  eating  and  drinking  in  excefsi  but  chiefly 
the  latter;   and  their  liberal  indulgence  in  a  vile  fbphifticated  com* 
|>ound  of  new  rum,  pepper,  and  other  higredients;  breWed  here  by  the- 
Jew- retailers ;    who>  as  rhey  pay  a  t^  on  their  licences,  aflfi  a' 
duty  on  the-  rum  they  retail,     have  recourfe  io  thia  viltainpus 
practice,  in  o^r  to  enhance  their  profit  upon  the  iuiierable  <on*^ 
Aimers,  who  are  chiefly  the  foldiers,,  and  meaner  cla&  of  Whites/ 
That  this  ha$  been,  and  is  fl'ilit    the  maiii  cauie  of  bad  health 
among  the  troop j  i$  evident;   for,  when  the^  ace  in  quarters  not 
locally  unwholefome,  and  where  they  canuot-get  at.  it,  they  are 
kiioWu'  to  be  very  healthy.    If  the  fpirit  was  even*  fold  to  them* 
withbut  this  adultefration^    it    could  uiot  fail  of  producing  fatal 
dffe£ls;  %t  the  Jews  cdukl  not  afford  to  keep  it  fo  long  on  hand, 
as  to  become  what  is  called  old  mm,  and  then  retail  it  at  their 
ufual  Iov«r  price.     They  W(>uld  therefore  fell  itfrefli  from  the  ftill  ;* 
in  which  itate  it  i)5  fo  flery,  as  to  be  no  lefs  unfit  for  human  po- 
tation, than  burning  brimftone  ;  yet  ibme  of  the  foldiers  have  been 
known  to  drink  oflTa  bottle  of  it  at  one  fitting.     The  officers  have 
often  attempted  to  check  this  evil,  by  punifhing  the  delinquents ; 
but  a  more  certain  method  would  be  by  prevention.    The  common 
foldiers,  employed  in  the  Weft-India  fervice,  or  at  leaft  the  re* 
cruits  fent  ovtVy  have  frequently  been  the  very  refufe  of  the  BritMi 
army :  thefe  men  cannot  be  broke  of  their  ibttifh  haUts;;  but,lSnce 
they  muft  and  will  have  fpirituous  liquor,  care  might  be  taken  to 
provide  them  with  fuch  as,  while  it  gratifies  their  inclination,  ^^naj 
be  the  leaft  detrimental  to  their  health.     Ttie  commanding  officer 
(for  example)  in  town  might  appropriate  a  certain  part  of  their 
country  pay,   and  lay  in  every  year  a  ftock  of  the  beft  rum,  free 
from  all  bad  tafte  and  fmell,  and  permit  it  to  be  retailed  by  a  fut*' 
ler  to  the  men ;  taking  care,  that  none  (hould  be  ifiued  of  lefs 
than  a  twetvemonih^s  age,   and  limiting  the  price  to  what  they 
now  pay  the  Jew- retailers,   which  could  very  well  be  afibrded,  as 
the  (oldier*s  rum  is  exempted  from  all  duty*    The  (iitler  chofen 
for  this  purpofe  would  no  doubt  be  a  man  on  vhofe  (bbriety'and 
honefty  they  could  fafely  depend ;  at  leaft,  fliould  he  be  guilty  of 

breach 


BOOK    II      CHAP,    VII.  31 

bc«ach  of  bis  truft,  he  would  be  Itable  to  a  regimental  puoidiment. 
The  terror  of  this  would  form  a  fecurity  for  his  good  behaviour; 
the  men  would  be  much  better  pleafed,  and  beyond  any  doubt  mote 

healtl^. 

The  town,  is  partly  under  a  civil  and  partly  military  police  j  a 
kind  of  dk>yum  in^erium^  which  the  civil  power  exercifes  by  day, 
and  the  milittty  by  night.    The  civil  government  confifts  of  a 
aats^  or  chief  magiftrate,  and  the  inferior  joftices  of  peace  and 
conftables.    The  centinels  here,  after  the  day  is  ctofed,  according 
to  an  antient  ufage,  which  has  fubfifted  ever  finoe  the  days  of 
Cromwell,  ch^dlenge  all  paflen^,  as  in  a  regular  garriibn,  and 
patrol  the  ftreets  at  certain  hours,  to  apprdiend  all  ofibiders  againft 
the  p^ce,  and  prevent  robberies.    It  is  a  certain  proof  of  the  more 
regular  lives  of  the  femUieshete,  aa  well  as  in  Kiagftoo,than  here- 
tofore, that  at  eleven  o'clock  at  night  it  i$  very  rare  to  fee  a  light  in 
any  houfc,  «i«ept  the  taverns ;  and  even  thefe  are  now  very  isldosn 
hilbfted  with  riots  sind  drunkca  qliarrelsy  which  formerly  were  fo 
common*    The  town  was  antiently.a  regular  garrifon,  the  ditch 
im  remaming  which  was  thrown  up  by  the  Spaniards  towards  the 
favannah,  and    tetniinated   at  a  baftion  flanked  with  a  fortified 
bttitding,  called  the  Fort-houfe,  the  name  of  which  is  ftUl  pre- 
ierved;    The  plain,  of  which  the  favaqnah  is  a  part,  extends,  in: 
its  whole  length,  not  lefs  than  twenty-tvw)  miles ;  but  its  breadth 
is  unequal,  being  to  feme  parts  ten  miles,  in  others  five,  and,  to- 
war<b  St.  Dorothy's,  grows  more  and  more  contrafted,  till  it  does 
not  exceed  three.     After  leaving  this  end  of  ie,  and  paffing  Co  the 
N.W.  among  the  Clarendon  Hills,- we  meet  with  feialler  levblt 
here  and  there,  as  the  $»almeto  and  Lime  favaunahs,  till  we  come 
to  St.  Jago^  favaniwh,  where:  the  champaign  again  enlarges  to  the 
extent  of  about  rett  by  fifteen  miles.     Thefe  trafts  were  fbrmerty 
eiceedirtg  beautiful,  having  only  fome  clumps  of  graceful  trees 
irregularly  fcattered  over  their' face,  *hich  gave  but  little  Imerrup- 
tion  to  the  profpe^    I  have  been  inforrj^d  by  an  elderly  gentle- 
man, a  native  of  the  iflandi'that  he  could  remember  the  time  when 
they  were-  nfeariy  in  this  •  ftate  f  but  at  prefent  they  art  ovcrfprcad 
a«d- disfigured  in  moft  parte  with  the  achaia,  or  American  opo- 

pinax,  a  dwarf  prickly  tree,  whifeh  U  is  found  almoft  impomWe  to 

eradicate. 


3x  J    A  Mi  A  :l    C    A.    ; 

eradicate.  It  iufefts  thc.pafturc-laiitls^afwi  incroaiches  c*)fttinUaUy: 
911  the  roads,  to  the  very  great  aunoyance  of  travelers,  efpecially 
by  night,  when  they  cannot  (b.  well  gvard  their  faces  from  being: 
fcratched ;  fo  that  a  man,  who  rides  among  them  in  the  duik,  is 
obliged  to  keep  hi?  whip  and  hands  in  conftant  employ metit,.  in 
qrder  to  parry  the  over-hanging  branches.  That  part  which' 
bounds  on  the  Weft  fide  of  the  town, . and  called  the  Towft  fa-, 
vanuah,  confifted  formerly  of  one.  tbtoufand  two  hund/ed  acres,, 
allotted  for  exercife,  and  has  a  compaoa.  of  pafture.for  the  ufe  of 
the  inhabitants ;  but,  fcveral  pcrfons  having  fpttlediupon  and  oc- 
cupied tlie  ikirtsof  it,  the  paxifhiooera  obtained  an  a£t  for  enabling 
them  to  leafe  out  feven  hundred  acres,  at  5  j. /^r  acre,  and  fopt* 
land  at  6i/.  per.  foot ;  and  referved  thi$  remaining  five  hundred  to  be 
kept  open  and  clear,  at  the  expencQ  ofthe  .parilh^  and  for  ever  to 
be  held  facred  to  the  pcrrpofes  only  of  exercife  and  health.  The 
fpace'uninclofed  is  about  two  miles  in  curcumference.  Here  the j!aces 
are  generally  held  every. year  in  the  month  of  March.  For  encou* 
raging  ^  breed  of  large  horfes,  one  hundred  piftoles  are  annually, 
granted  by  the  aflembly,  by  way  of  king^s  plate,  to  be  run  for  by:  any 
flone*hories  or  mares,  carrying  ten  ftone  each,  of  fourteeq  pounds. to 
the  (lone.  There  are  generally  two  days  fport,  befides  either  by?- 
matches,  or  a  fubfcription  purfe.  On  thefe  occafions  the  ^oncpurfe 
of  people  is  very  great ;  fome  thoufands  are  feen  aifembled  on  (he 
favannah ;  and  the  multitude  of  carriages  and  horfes,  all  in  niotio;i, 
form  a  very  pleafing  part  of  the  amufement*  On  this  plain  tlie  re- 
gular troops,  and  ibmetimes  the  militia,  are  trained  and  reviewed. 
But  its  principal  ufe  is  as  a  palefira,  for  the  daily  exercife  qC  the 
inhabitants  of  the  town  in  the  morning  and  afternoon.  In  manner 
of  living,  the  Engliih  here  differ  not  much  from  their  brethren  at. 
home,  except  in  a  greater  profufion  of  difhes,  a  larger  retinue  of. 
domeflics,  and  in  wearing  more  expenfive  deaths.  The  climate 
obliging  them  to  ufe  the  finer  ibrt  of  fabrics,  thefe  are  of  courfe  the 
mofl  coftly ;  and  hence  appears  the  great  advantage  to  the  mother- 
country  of  fiirnifhing  her  Wefl-India  colonies  with  their  cloathiixg. 
The  fuperior  finencfs  of  manufadlure  is  all  clear  gain  to  her  artifts ; ; 
and  the  confUnt  wear,  by  the  effects  of  perfpiration  apd  wafhing^ 
occafions  aa  immenfe  coufumptioa.  The  thick,  cheapi  and  du- 
rable 


dO^K    rf;     JCHAR    VII.  v^, 

rable'  dothV/iVhich  are  wefi^cW|rt^  the  fi^:^  irtitf,  Will  tidt 
'anftver  '  here;  and  the  atrnofpKere  corfodes  ivtry  iind  bf  irtiil  ox 
fteel  ware  very  quickly.  The  dcmatid  thefefore  for  litimberlefs 
produfts  of  thd  home  induftry  i^  (ftom  a  train  of  invariable  ciufes) 
likely  to  continue  as  long  as  thelcx:olonies  continue  to  exift;  Here 
are  none  of  the  fubftantial"  inhabitants  who  do  hot  keep  their  xoacli 
ot  chariot  with"  foufor  (ik  horfcs.^  The  iHop-. keeper 3  'have  fhelc 
two-wheel  chaifcs,  or  kitereens[/] ;'  and  they  who  Cannot  afford  a 
carriage,  even  to  the  pooreft  free  Negroe,  will  not  be  without  a 
faddle-horfe  or  two.  As  this  is  an  inland-town>  it  derives  its 
chief  fupport  from  the  refidence  of  the  governor  and  publick 
officers ;  the  gentlemen  of  the  law ;  the  aflembly  and  council ; 
and  the  conflux  of  people  who  nefort  hither  from  the  country  parts 
on  bufinefs,  particularly  during  the  iittings  of  the  fupreme  or  grand 
court  of  law  near  four  months  in  the  year;  and  the  feffion  of  the 
aflembly,  which  generally  lafts  from  the  beginning  of  Odtobcr 
till  the  Chriftmas  holidays.  At  thefe  times  univerfal  gaiety  pre- 
vails;   balls,'   concerts,    and  routs,   alternately    hold  their  reign. 

'  The  governor,  according  to  antient  cuftom,  gives  a  ball  and  en- 
tertainment once  a  year  at  the  king's  houfe,  in  honour  of  his  ma- 
jefty's  birth-day.     The  .appearance  of  company   on  this  occafion 

;*is  generally  brilliant,  the  ladies  vying  with  one  another  in  the 
f ichne(s  of  their   drelfes ;   every  one  inakes  a  point  of  Exhibiting 

"a  new  fuit  of  finery;  and  thi^  tegulation  is  ib  Iavi(hly  indulged, 
that  fuch  a  ball  is  feldom  attended  with  Icfs  than  three  or  four 
thoufand  pounds  expence  to  the  guefts,  which  however  is  fo  far  ex- 
cufable,  as  it  is  laid  out  in  Britifh  manufiftures  [nt].  When  the 
town  is  full  of  company,  here  is  a  very  good  market  j  at  other 
times  of  the  year,  it  is  but  indifferently  fupplied.  In  general, 
the  mutton  is  much  better,  and  th6*  beef  mucTi  worle,  than  in 
KIngfton  ;  the  latter  town  'benign  furniftied  with  beeves'  from  •  the 
rich  paftures  of  Pedro*s  Cockpits,  where  the  fattened  cattle  are 
inferior  to  none  in  America.     The  mutton   conflimed  in  Spanifh 

Town  is  chiefly  brought  from  thd  adjacent  f^t-pan  pAftures,   and 

•  ^  .Vl«.>«  f  ,  fat  ••.' 

i^  So  calfcd  from.tbe.firiViinDortcd,  which  came  from  Ketitring,  jirNortl^j^^ptonfliire.  ^, :    . 

[w]  During  one  half'of  thcycar^  the  inhabitants  enjoy  all  the  ftiUners  and  tranquUrity  6t  z 
•eetintry-villagc ;  and,  in  the  other,  the  fcene  is  tot«Hy  changed,  and  they'tcvd  ia  the  pleafures  of 
a  town. 

Vol,  IL  F  the 


34  JAMAICA. 

the  jHmns  of  Vere ;  it  U  finally  but  delicioufly  fweet,  fat^  and 
juicy.  The  market  is  likewife  tolerably  well-fupplicd  with  fca 
and  river  filh,  black  crabs,  the  Jamaica  oyfler,  poultry  of  all  forts 
remarkably  fine,  milk,  vegetables,  and  fruits.  Weft -Indian  and 
North-American*  The  flour  comes  for  the  moft  part  from  New- 
York,  inferior  to  none  in  the  world ;  and  the  bread  is  excellent* 
The  butter  is  imported  from  Cork  and  North- America,  which 
cannot  be  much  commended:  the  inhabitants,  recoiKiled  to  it 
by  cuftom,  (hew  no  diflike  to  it,  although  it  is  fometimes  fo 
rancid,  that  repeated  waCbings  will  not  fweeten  it.  Some  few  in 
the  lowlands  make  a  fort  of  frelh  butter,  but  in  fmall  quantities^ 
and  commonly  infipid.  The  vales  of  Pedro  are  capable  of  fup-. 
plying  the  town  with  this  article,  if  the  penn- keepers  or  graziers 
there  were  encouraged  to  manufafture  it  for  fale.  What  is  ma- 
nufaAured  there  for  their  own  ufe  is  of  a  delicate  flavour,  and  will 
keep  good  for  feveral  days,  and  even  weeks.  The  cheapnefs  of  the 
imported  butter,  which  is  generally  fold  for  fixpence  fterling  the 
pound,  and  the  great  plenty  of  it,  together  with  a  long  continued 
habit  of  uiing  no  other,  may  be  the  reafon  why  the  inhabitants 
are  not  very  folicitous  about  making  any  change ;  hut  it  would 
doubtlefs  be  attended  with  a  confiderable  faving  to  the  ifland,  and 
tend  much  more  to  health,  if  they  were  to  promote  and  eftablifli 
fuch  a  manufadure  among  the  inland  penn-keepers.  It  is  fome 
time  before  an  European  palate  can  accommodate  itfelf  to  the 
rank  ftuff  ferved  up  at  the  tables  here.  On  the  other  hand,  I  have 
known  many  perfons  who,  upon  their  firil  arrival  in  Britain  from 
Jamaica,  could  not  endure  the  tafte  of  fre{h*butter ;  and  I  have 
heard  of  a  lady  who,  for  fbme  years  after  her  coming  over  to 
England,  ufed  to  order  ibme  firkins  of  the  Irifh  butter  to  be 
brought  regularly  to  her  from  Jamaica :  fo  difficult  it  is  to  re- 
iinquiih  what  cuftom,  altera  natura^  has  made  agreeable  to  us« 

As  fbme  readers  may  be  defirous  of  knowing  the  market-prices 

of  provifions  in  this  town,  I  (hall  ofler  the  following  table,  formed 

agreeably  to  the  experience  of  fome  years.    It  muft  be  underflood, 

however,    that  here,  as  in  other  places,  there  can  be    no  fuch 

.  thing  as  a  ftandard  and  invariable  rate  for  thefe  neceflary  articles ; 

and 


BOOK     11.     CHAP.    VIL  35 

and  that  their  rates  moft  vary  according  to  the  reigning  plenty  or 
fcarcity,  and  other  predocainant  caufes. 


Beef» 

IHito^  prime  partSt 

Tongue, 

Mutton, 

Lamb, 

Ditto» 
Calf's  Iiead, 

VeaU 

Ditto,  ptime  parts, 

Pork.    

Kid,    ■   ■  - 

Tunic  Calipafti,  — 
Ditto  Calipee,  — 
Fiih  large,      — ■ 


^poand, 
t  I  ditto, 
—    each, 

fer  pound, 

fer  quarter. 


Jamaica  Cunency. 
s.    J,  q.to  s»   d*  q. 
o 


fer  pound, 


^  pound, 

ditto, 

Ditto  fiikaller,/fr  (Iring  of  four,  fi?e,  or  upwards. 
Ducks  tame,  ■  ■    fer  couple. 

Ditto  wild,        ■  ___        ditto, 

TteJ,        —  —        — —        ditto^ 

Capons,        ■  — ^-  ■■  ^tto. 

Hens,        — —  '  ditto, 

Geefefat^        _^_  _        each, 

Torkjes  ikt,  according  to  (ize,  •— —  ditto, 
Cbickens,  —  «—  —  <titto. 
Pigeons,  ■  —    /ifrpair, 

£ggi,    ^—     ■  ■         fix  to  twelve,    variable. 


o 

X 

3 

1 

I 

4 
6 

o 

T 
O 

o 
o 
I 
o 
o 

J 

5 

5 

6 

3 

7 
8 

o 

I 

o 


A  roaiHng-pig, 

Abof^ 
Rabbits  &ty 
Salt-fifh,      *-— 
Shads,        — r- 
Flour,        •^— 


Ditto,  fuperfiae, 

Biicuit, 

Salt, 


Wax-candles, 
Spermaceti  ditto, 
Plantanes,    


■        about  %i 

— —  each,     4. 

fer  pound,  about    o 

fer  barrel,  about  20 

fercwtm  17 

fer  ditto,  jo 

/rr  ditto,  30 

I 

3 

2 

I 

5 
o 


fer  bufliel, 
fer  pound, 
ditto, 


fer  dozen,  about^ 
—    fer  hulhel. 


6  o 

3  o 
I  a 

o  o 

3  o 

4  a 
3  o 

7  2 
o  o 

7  * 

7  * 

7  * 

3  o 

6  o 

7  « 
X  a 

o  o 

o  o 

3  o 

9  o 

6  o 

9  o 

7  «. 

10   2 

7  * 
o  o 

9  o 

4  ^ 
3  o 
o  o 

60 

o  o 
o  o 

10  t 

9  o 

6  o 

3  o 
o  o 

7  * 


X 

3 

o 

5 

o 

o 

I 

o 

o 

o 

I 

o 

o 

3 

6 

6 

xo 

S 
o 

id 

o 

2 
O 

o 
o 
o 
o 
o 

22 

35 

3* 
o 

o 

o 

o 

5 

o 


7  * 
10  2 

9  o 

3  • 
o  o 

7  « 
o  o 

o  o 

3  o 
o  o 

o  o 
o  o 

60 

7  * 

o  o 

9  o 

3  o 

3^ 
o  • 

o  o 

o  o 

o  o 

o  o 

6  o 

o  o 

o  o 

o  o 

o  o 

o  o 

o  o 

6  o 

o  o 

6  o 
o  o 
o  o 
p  o 
o  o 

7  « 
o  o 


Reduced  to  Sterling. 

S»     «9  ^*  to   S*    d,  q% 


O     4   I 
O  XO  3 

223 

082 

o  xo  3 
3     «  » 


4 
o 

o 

o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 

2 

3 
3 

4 

2 

5 

6 

o 

x 

? 

3 
16 

3 
o 

12 

2t 

21 

I 

2 

X 

O 

3 
o 


5  3 

5  I 
8  2 

S  « 

5  I 

S  ' 
xo  3 

4  I 

S 

2 

6 

8 

4 


X 

3 
3 
3 

3 

I 

t 


3  o 

5  » 

4  o 
X  o 

63 

»'  3 

I.  X 

2  I 

3  » 

6  o 

i  « 

5  I 

4  o 

8  I 

9  * 
10  3 

63 

5  « 


o 
I 

2 
o 
o 

4 
o 

o 

o 

o 

o 

o 

I 

o 

o 

2 

4 
4 
7 

3 

o 


5  t 

4  «> 

8  X 

10  3 
o  o 
o  o 
o  o 
o  o 

xo  $ 
o  o 
o  o 
o  o 

o  3 

5  « 
o  o 

8  r 

5  3 
5  S 

«  3 

63 
o  o 


X2    XO    I 

000 
X 


o 
o 
o 

o 
o 
o 

16 
^i 

6 
O 

o 
o 

4 
o 


9  * 
o  o 

o  d 

o  o 

o  a 
o  o 
o  o 
X  o 
o  o 

^  3 
o  o 

o  o 
a  o 
o  o 
a  o 


Corn  Maize, 

Ditto,  in  the  ears,    — —    —   /rr  three  dozen, 

Ojftcrs  are  fold  in  fmall  baikets,  and  variable  in  price ;  as  are  like- 
wife  many  of  the  articles  above* nicntioned ;  on  which  accounr^^  I 
have  given  their  j verage .  loweft  and  higbeft  rates  of  ibveral  year^^ 
The  variation  of  price  is  caufed  by  the  occafional  plenty  or  fcircity 

F  2  incident 

•         .  .    .  ...  * 


3^  JAMAICA. 

iheident  to  fSFrenh  Th«  vafl  ibtindaftceof  (ifh  caoght  here,  aiid  its: 
not  being  a  provifion  that  ca»  be  k^pt  Iwect  for  any  long  time,  are 
the  caufes  of  its^  cheapnefs  at  naoft  of  the  fea-ports,  Fi(h  and 
turtle  are. often  ibid  at  lefs  prices  than  are  exprefled  in  the  table; 
and  they  fomifh  a  coniiderable  part  of  iUbHiUnce  to  the  people 
inhabiting  thofe  places;  The  prices  in  Spanifli^Own  are  in  ge- 
Boral  higher  than  k>  Kingfion,  where  the  market  is  und^r  a  better 
fegulatioA,  and  both  the  demand  and  fupply  more  conflant  and 
ample.  The  latter  town  is  alfo  far  better  accommodated  with  ve- 
getables of  all  kinds,  produced  in  the  Liguanea  mountains. 

By  the  above  table,  conypared  with  the  fcrftowing,  may  be  feen 
how  much  the  prices  of  fome  provjifion  have  rifen  above  what  they 
formerly  were.  An  aft  of  affembly,  paffed  in  the  year  1693,  efta- 
bliihed  the  rates  thus,  viz- 

Jam,  Currency.  Sreriingr. 

i.     d^   q,  s*     d.  q. 

i^cef  and  goat^       ■■       — —   ^^r  pound,.    040  030 

Mbtton, •     ■■■    ■     ■■    "      ditto,     060  041 

Veal,  prime  parts,      — ^ —  ''  ditto,     690  063 

Ditto,  other  parts,        ■ ditto^    072  053 

Hog,  lamb,  and  turtle,       ditto,     072  o     5     3 

Thefettlers  in  thofe  days  were  fewer  in  number,,  yet  either  found 
means  to  fupply  a  larger  quantity,  or  be  contented  with  fmaller 
gain^.  lb  the  year  1672,  Doctor  Blome  writes^  that  horned  cattle 
were  fo  numerous,  that,  although  there  had  been  every  year  fo 
many  killed,  yet  their  number  £bemed  not  much  to  be  leffened. 
Nogs  too  he  mentions  were  in  very  great  plenty,  as  well  thpfe 
ivild  in  the  mountains,  as  tame  in  the  plantations.  We  may  con- 
je&ure,  therefore,  that  the  greater  part  of  the  beef  and  pork,  then 
brought  to  market^  were  of  the  wild  fort ;  for  thefe  animals  over- 
ran the  woods  and  favannahs,.  and  were  flaughtered  by  all  pcrfons 
who  choie  ta  go  in  quell  of  them.  This  probably  made  the  fettlers 
fo  very  ihattentive  to  the  breeding  of  cattle,  tliat  in  procefe  of 
time,  as  the  wild  ones  became  diminiflied,  and  the  plantations  in- 
^rea^ed^  they  begaii  toJn|rrod6c6'*a  fupply  from  the  Spanifli  Main, 
A  dep<lndehce  upop' theie*  ^Importations,  and  the  low  price  which 
they  formerly  coft,  ftiU  further  dHcou raged  the  ifland-bree'd  ;  and  at 
^relent  the  fugar-eilates,  fb  vaftly  incrcaied  ia  their  number,  con* 

fume 


BOOK    ir.      CHAP.      VII.  37 

fame  a  large  proportion  of  what  are  bred   here*    There  ieema  no 
Tcaucdy  for   this,  bat^   by  aii  a£t  of  legiflaturc,    to  encourage  thd 
ifland-breed,    and  throw   gradual  rcftraints  upon  the  importation  ; 
bj   which  n^ans,  beef  might  'poffibly,   in  courfe  of  a   few  years, 
return  to  a  taore  moderate  price ;  which  would  be  a  very  defireable 
event  to  the  inhabitants,  and  even  to  the  breeders  themfelved ;  to 
whom  the  certainty,  of  demand,  and  largenefs  of   confumption, 
would  make  amends  for  the  diminution  of  price ;  and  thus   might 
be  faved  many  thoufand  pounds  now  paid  for  foreign  falted  beef, 
which   is  neither  fo  whoiefome,    nutritious,   nor   pieaiing   to  the 
white   iervaots,  foldiers,  and   others,   as   fre(h  meat.     The   high 
prurc  of  fbwls^   and   the  other  fmall  articles,   is  to  be  lowered  by 
the  introduction  of  more  fettlers,  by  encouraging  a  traffic  in  fuch 
articles,  and   particularly  enlarging  the  annual  plant  of  corn,  the 
icarcity  of  which  is  the  fole  caufe  why  eggs  are  in  general  fo  cheap, 
and  poultry  fo  dear;  for,,  when  com  is  fcarce,  fowls  will   devour 
more  of  it  in  value  than  they  yield  at  the  market*     The  greater 
abundance  there  is  provided  of  thefe  foods,  the  more  money  will 
be  faved  to  the  ifland  in  various  way  s ;  audit  would   confequently 
grow   more   populous  and  thriving,   and  better  able  to  'maintain  ' 
families;    a  matter  of  the  utmoft  concern  to  all  who  wifli  to  fee 
it    flourifh ;  marriages,  the  beft  fource  of  well-peopling    it,  and 
from  which  fome  men  pretend  they  are  at  prefent  deterred,  from 
the   expeniiveuefs  of  houfekeeping,   would  be  greatly  promoted ;  ■ 
nor  would  many  ufeful  perfons  emigrate  from  the  colony,  if  they 
could  live  in  it  at  a&  cheap  a  rate  in  general  as  in  Europe.     To  live  ' 
otherwife  in  an  ifland,  fo  fertile  and  fo  capable  of  affording   not 
only  the  comforts,  but  the  luxuries  of  fuftenance,  in  the  greatefl 
profuHon,  is  a  reproach  to  iiiduflry  and  policy;  but  to  adminifler 
fit  and  prafticable  remedies  will  redound  equally  to  the  honour  of 
legiflature,    and  to  the  public  welfare.     Spanifh  Town  covers   a 
large  extent  of  ground,  many  of  the   houfes  having  great  areas, 
and  feveral  lots   bein^  vacant  or  unbuilt.     Thefe  circumftances 
render  it  the  more  healthy  andpleafaut;  and  a  variety  of  trees  in 
conftant  verdure,  being  fcattered  among  the  buildings^    more  ef^ 
pecially  in  the  &irt8, .  it  has  the  rural  appearance  of  a    village. 
The  town  feems,  however,*  to  be  rather  oa  the  decline,  not  having 

yet 


38  J    A    M    A    I    C     A. 

yet  recovered  the  blow  which  it  received  daring  the  adminiftratiou 
of  governor  Kn  ■  "S ;  who^  in  order  to  carry  a  favourite  poifit 
againft  the  country,  and  in  furtherance  of  this  defign  to  gain  a 
majority  in  the  two  other  branches  of  the  legiflature>  very  artfully 
cajoled  into  his  intereft  feveral  opulent  merchants  and  principal 
inhabitants  of  Kingfton,  by  hinting  to  them  a  plan  of  removing 
the  feat  of  government,  the  courts  of  juftice^  and  public  records, 
to  their  town.  The  lucrative  confequences  of  this  proje€t  were 
defcribed  in  fuch  captivating  terms,  that  they  joined  heart  and 
hand  with  him  to  efFeft  it ;  and  at  length,  after  a  violent  ilruggle 
which  threw  the  whole  country  into  commotions,  they  fucceeded 
by  gaining  a  corrupt  majority  in  the  houfe  of  affembly,  garbled 
by  very  iniquitous  and  illegal  practices.  I'he  deprivation  of  thefe 
main  fupports,  and  the  uncertainty  of  property  in  a  town  liable 
to  fuch  mutations  at  the  arbitrary  will  of  a  governor,  reduced  its 
inhabitants  to  the  utmoft  diftrefs :  fome  quitted  it ;  and  many  per* 
fons  were  deterred  from  purcha(ing  land,  or  occupying  houfes  in 
St ;  while  all  tho(e,  who  fublifted  in  its  neighbourhood  by  fup- 
plying  the  market  were  agitated  with  the  dread  of  inevitable  ruin*. 
Upon  a  full  difcuflion  of  this  matter  before  the  board  of  trade,  and 
a  jufl:  reprefentation  fubmitted  to  the  king  in  council,  the  fcheme 
appeared  fo  wicked  and  injurious  to  private  rights,  as  well  as  pub- 
lic welfare,  that  the  projedor  of  it  was  recalled,  and  exprefs  in- 
ftru^ions  given  his  fucceiibr  to  fummon  a  new  and  legitimate  af- 
fcmbly  of  reprefentatives :  which  being  complied  with,  they 
palled  a  law,  reinftating  the  feat  of  government,  offices  of  record, 
&c.  in  Spanifli  Town,  and  eftabliftiing  them  there  immutably: 
and  this  law  was  afterwards  confirmed  by  the  crown. 

But  the  town  has  not  yet  recovered  its  former  population  and 
opulence.  The  proprietors  of  houfes  and  lands  in  and  near  it  are 
fcarcely  yet  free  from  apprehenfions  of  another  removal ;  and  their 
terrors  have  fince  been  awakened,  more  than  once,  by  attempts 
from  the  Kingfton  quarter  to  repeat  the  blow,  by  purfuing  the 
former  mode  of  acquiring  an  undue  majority  in  the  houfe  of  af- 
fembly,  for  the  purpofe  of  repealing  that  law.  Hence  has  arifen  a 
confirmed  party  in  that  branch  of  legiilature;  and  the  great  flrugglc 
at  every  eled:ion  is,  to  regulate  the  balance  of  power  in  the  new 

houfe. 


BOOK    If.      CHAP.    VII.  39 

houfc.  Each  fide,  through  a  (ecret  jealoufy,  ts  too  apt,  by  an  uni- 
form iyftem  of  oppofition,  to  rejed  various  meafures  of  public  uti- 
lity, which  are  greatly  wanted,  for  the  improvement  and  general 
benefit  of  the  iflaud.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted,  that  fuch  ani- 
mofittes  fliould  dill  prevail ;  and  more  fo,  that  caufe  (hould  be  given 
for  keeping  them  alive.  An  artful  and  malevolent  governor  alone 
could  wifli  to  foment  the  Ipirit  of  difcord,  with  a  view  of  turning 
it  to  hh  own  advantage,  by  fiding  with  the  ftronger  party,  and  thus 
acquiring  a  fet  of  advocates  ready  to  promote  or  vindicate  his  rapa- 
cious and  unjud  proceedings,  A  wife  and  good  governor  will  think 
he  befi:  ferves  the  king  and  his  fubjecfls  by  fleadily  difcouraging 
every  attempt  towards  re-kindling  this  deftrudtive  flame. 

The  fituation  of  this  town,  fo  centrical  with  refpedl  to  the  whole 
ifland,  renders  it  extremely  convenient  for  holding  the  chief  courts 
of  juftice ;  and  to  this  end  it  is  flill  further  adapted,  as  being  un-* 
difturbed  by  the  noife  and  tumult  ufual  in  places  of  great  trade. 
The  records  are  fafer  here ;  becaufe,  upon  the  invafion  of  an  enemy, 
it  is  too  diflant  from  the  fea-coafl  to  be  firft  attacked,  and  there 
would  be  ample  time  for  removing  them  into  Sixteen-mile-walk  ; 
or,  flill  further,  to  the  inmoft  recedes  and  fortreifes  of  the  ifland, 
for  their  fecure  prefervation.  Thus,  although  the  town  might  be 
afterwards  taken  and  plundered,  the  records  would  be  fafe ;  nor 
could  an  enemy  follow  them  expeditioufly,  if  they  may  be  fup« 
pofed  an  obje£l  worth  acquiring ;  the  road  leading  to  Sixteen-mile* 
walk  being  full  of  places  proper  for  ambufcading,  or  eafily  ren« 
dered  impaflable  by  felling  of  trees,  and  throwing  down  fome  of 
thofe  huge  rocky  maflcs  which  over-hang  it.  The  town  ferves  be- 
;  fides  as  a  grand  ftore-houfe,  or  magazine,  for  fupplying  great  part  of 
the  county  of  Middlcfeic  with  articles  of  cloathing,  hufbandry^ 
ialt-provifion,  and  other  neceflaries,  moft  of  which  are  broughc 
from  Kingfton,  which  therefore  is  very  much  benefited  by  this  ex* 
tei^fion  of  its  inland  commerce  ;  an  advantage  it  would  not,  in  all 
likelihood,  enjoy  without  the  afliftance  of  Spanifli  Town ;  for,  in 
this  cafe,  not  only  the  confumption  of  fuch  articles  muft  be  greatly 
diminiflied,  but  many  of  the  planters  would  probably  rather  import 
what  they  wanted,  or  eflablifh  a  new  mart  at  Fafiage  Fort,  as  being 
far  more  convenient  for  their  bufinefs  than  Kingfton.  Gonfidered 
4  alfo 


40  JAMAICA- 

alfo  as  a  garrifon,  it  will  appear  to  form  a  great  additional  ftrength 
to  the  midland-part  of  the  ifland,  and  has  fo  proved  in  feveral  in- 
ternal difturbances  that  have  occurred  from  Negroe  mal-contents  ; 
particularly  in  1761,  when  the  detachments  of  horfe-militia  and 
regular  troops,  ordered  from  hence,  to  quell  a  dangerous  infurrec- 
tion,  which  had  broke  out  in  St.  Mary's  pari(h,  arrived  there  fo  ex- 
peditioufly,  as  to  give  almoft  immediate  protedlion  to  the  ihbabi- 
tants.     A  colony  of  fuch   extent    woyid    unqueftionably  become 

.much  fecurer,  if  more  towns  were  formed  in  convenient  parts  of 

-  it,  Inftead  therefore  of  labouring  to  ruin  a  town  fo  antient  aiid 
beneficial,  the  men  of  fenfe  and  fortune  in  the  ifland  (hould  rather 
endeavour,  by  fuitable  encouragements  and  provifions,  to  found  neW 

,ones  in  thofe  uncultivated  diftrlfts  where  congregations  of  people 
are  much  wanted,  to  add  more  links  to  the  chain  of  communica- 
tion, which  ought  to  pervade  every  part  of  fo  fruitful  and  delightful 

.a  country. 

The  conteft  about  removing-  the  feat  of  government,  before-men- 
tioned, became  the  caufe  of  fetting  up  a  printing- houfo  iii  this 
town  ;  for,  before  that  «ra,  the  votes  of  affembly  were  printed  at 
Kingfton.  But  the  partizans  of  Spanifli  Town  formed  an  aflbciation 
to  fupport  a  new  prefs  in  their  town.  From  this  ifliies  a  vveekly 
paper  of  intelligence,  compiled  moftly  from  the  London  and 
North- American  prints;    but  it  is  chiefly  convenient  to  the'inha- 

.  bitants  as  a  vehicle  for  advertifements  of  different  forts.     Some  oc- 
cafional  pamphlets  have  likcwife  received  their  birth  from  it ;  and 

41  new  edition  of  the  laws  was  lately  preparing.  The  votes  of  af- 
fembly and  the  annual  bills  are  printed  here ;  the  journals  of  the 

■council  are  printed  in  Kingfton,  where  two  preflcs  are  eftablifh^d, 
and  two  weekly  papers.  Thus  each  of  thefe  branches  of  legiflatlire 
having  its  feparate  prtfs,  I  need  not  remark,  that,  when  pollticai' dif- 
ferences arife^  an  extraordinary  employment  is  given  to  thefe  iia^a- 
chines,  by  appeals  to  the  public,  and  theargumentsoneither  (ide pro 

,  .andcon:  butit  isdoubtful,whetherthefe  difputationsjcarriedonasthey 

^nerally  are  with  great  vehemeixce  and  acrimony,  do  not  tcncimore 

to  cxafpcrate  than  to  conciliate.     The  prefs  of  Spauifli  Town  was 

devoted  to  a  far  better  ufe,  vvhen  the  allbciation  of  gentlemen  be- 

ifore-mentioned  made  it  fubfervient  to  the  intereileof  morality,  and 

the 


BOOK     11.        CHAP.    YII.  41 

the  improvement  of  the  iOand,  by  piublifliing  a  weekly  effay  under 
the  title  of  The  Planter,  which  was  fupported  for  a  confiderable 
time  in    a  lively,  entertaining   manner.     In  a  garden  belgnging  to 

Mrs.  T s,   in  this  town,  are  two  trees  called  baobab,  or  the 

great-cotton,  defcribed  by  Adanfon^  in  his  account  of  .Guiney, 
from  whence  the  feeds  were  brought  and  plamed  here.  Some  qalJL 
this  likewife  the  capot  tree ;  of  which  fpecies  Bofman  relates,  that 
he  has  feen  fome  capable,  with  their  fpreading  boughs,  of  (hading 
twenty  thoufand  men,  if  ranged  clofe ;  and  fo  tall,  that  a  mujfquct 
fliot  could  hardly  reach  the  top.  At  Axim,  tlaere  is  ^aid  to  be 
one  which  ten  men  could  not  grafp ;  and, ,  in  Prince's  iijiaiK], 
another,  the  trunk  of  which  could  not  be  furrqunded  by  four  an^ 
twenty  men,  their  arms  at  full  flretch:  not  that  the  body  itfelf 
is  io  enormous ;  but  the  fprouts  adhere  ia  fuch  a  manner  as  to  feen;i 
to  form  one  uniform  trunk.  The  wood  is  light  and  pQr;ous^ 
fcarcely  fit  for  any  other  ufe  than  making  canoes.  The  tree  bears 
a  fpecies  of  cotton,  ufed  in  Guiney  by  the  European  fadtors  for 
fluffing  beds,  inflead  of  feathers.  Thefe  in  Spauifli  Town  are  as 
yet  of  only  a  moderate  bulk ;  but,  if  they  (hould  Iprcad  in  time 
into  the  diameter  reported  by  thefc  authors,  they  will  require  much 
more  room  than  has  been  allotted  to  thqm..  The  barjk  and  4ea,ves 
^e  faid-fo.ppfleifs  fome  virtues  in  the  cure  of  fevers.  And  they 
deferve  to  be  propagated ;  but  the  heft  fcite  would  be  the  rich  bank 
of  fome  river. 

Faflage  Fort,  formerly  called  The  Parage,  from  its  being  the 
place  of  embarkation  for  Port-tRoyal,  is  fituated  on  the  Weft  fide 
of  the  harbour,  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  piouth  of 
the  Cobre,  and  fix  from  Spaniih  Tpwn.  It  was  once  defended  by 
a  fmall  fort,  of  ten  or  twel/e  guns,  which  has  long  fince  been 
demoliflied.  It  is  at  prefent  a  fniall  village,  confifting  of  about 
fifteen  houfes,  chiefly  inhabited  by  wharfingers,  warehoufe-keepers, 
and  the  mafters  of  wherries  and  hackney- chaifes^  which  conftantly 
ply  here  with  paflengers  to  and  from  the  towns.  Thefe  wherries  ' 
generally  put  oflF  from  Paffage  Fort  from  fix  to  feven  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  before  the  fea-breeze  fets  in^  and  are  favoured  with- a 
gentle  land-wind.  On  their  return,  they  go  direftly  before  the 
breeze,  which  fometimes  blows  up  the  harbour  with  great  violence. 
VoL.II.  G  Thej 


42  JAMAICA- 

They  arc  accommodated  with  tilts  or  awnings,  and- navigated  en- 
tirely by  Negroes.     This  is   a  barquadier  for  Spanifli  Town,  and 
moft  of  the  plantations  in  St.  Catharine,  St.  Thomas  in  the  Vale^ 
and  St.  John.     The  merchant- (hips  which  load  from  hence  ufually 
lye  off  the  hofpital  of  Greenwich,   where  they  receive  their  cargo 
out  of  large  boats,  or  lighters,    there  not  being  depth  of  water  fuf- 
£cient  for  veflels  of  burthen  to  come  nearer  the  wharfs.     The  {T- 
tuation   is  low,   and  fubjeft  to  inundations  from   the   harbour  in 
florms.     This  place    is   famous  in  the  annals  of  Jamaica  for  the 
landing   of  colonel  Jackfbn  in    1638,    and  of  Venables  in   1655. 
The  firft-built  town  was  wholly  deftroyed  by  the  great  earthquake 
of  1692,   and  never  thoroughly  rebuilt ;  nor   is  it  probable  that  it- 
will   ever  grow  again    into    a   town.      The    want    of   fufficient 
depth   of    water,    perhaps,  firft   induced  Mr.  Hcndcrfon,    an  en- 
terprizing    and   fpirited  gentleman,  to  form  a  new  anymore  con- 
venient   (hipping-place   on   the  North-Eaft  fide  of  Salt-pond  hilt,.. 
under  cover  of  the  Twelve-apoftle  battery ;  this  he  has  efFeded  at : 
a  very  large  expence,  and  with  much  judgement.     The   depth  of. 
water  admits  fliips  of  burthen  very  near  to  the  wharf,   and  already 
there  appears  the  dawning  of  a  new  town ;  which,  by  attradting^ 
the  mofl  confiderable  part  of  the  buirnefs,   feems  to  forebode  the 
fpeedy  decline  of  Paflhge  Fort.     This  new  barquadier  is  called'  at 
prefent  by  the  name  of  Port-Henderfbn ;  and,   befides  its  ufe  for 
Ihipping  off  fugars,  and  other  produce,   with  the  utmoft  difpatchf, . 
it  has  opened  a  ready  communication  on  that  fide  of  the  harbour  - 
with   the  fquadron  and  Port-Royal  Town-;  which  cannot  fail  of 
proving  extremely  convenient,  more  partrcuiarly   in  time   of  war. . 
At  the  back  of  Salt-pond'  hill   is  a   remarkable   cave.     The  ad?t : 
leading  into  it  is  narrow  and  low ;  but  the  cave  itfelf  is"  from  twen- 
ty-five to  thirty  fee^  diameterj   and  of  good  height.     The  floor  of 
it  is  ftrewed  with  human  bones;  and  there  runs  a  tradition  among 
the  NegrocSy  that  a  white  perfon  many  years  ago  collefted  a  vaft 
pile  and  confiimed  it  to  afhes  :  a  large  quantity  ftilL  remains;  and, 
from  the  conformation  of  the  ikulls',  they  are  thought  to  have  been  . 
Indian.     Some  have,  imagined  that  the  Indians  made  ufe  of  thefe 
recefles  as  a  fort   of  catacombs,  or  ofRiaries,  for  their  dead."'  The 
»tient  Mexicans  laid  their  dead  bodies  without  burial  on  the  fur- 

face 


BOOK    IL      CHAR      VII.  43 

face  of  the  earth,  and  environed  them  with  ftones  or  bricks*  Thefe 
rocky  chafms  and  cavities,  frequent  in  many  parts  of  Jamaica,  na- 
turally offered  as  convenient  and  durable  fepulchres.  But  this  con- 
jecture, though  ingenious,  is  not  fupportcd  by  any  proof,  that  the 
Indians  of  this  ifland  were  f^overned  by  the  (lime  cuftom.  There 
are  better  grounds  for  (uppofing,  that  they  interred  their  dead ;  and 
that  the  bones,  found  in  thefe  places,  are  no  other  than  the  relicks 
of  the  laft  remnant  of  that  unfortunate  people,  who  periftied  here 
beneath  the  infupportable  tyranny  of  their  conquerors,  as  I  (hall 
hereafter  take  occafion  to  relate.  ^ 

Spanifh  Town  is  defended  on  the  South  by  a  range  of  hill,  called 
Healthfliire,  corruptly  Hellftiire,  about  nine  miles  in  length,  and  fix 
in  breadth ;  which  fpacc  contains  about  thirty-four  thoufand  acres, 
for  the  mod  part  fo  rocky  and  barren,  as  not  to  be  worth  inha- 
biting. Its  chief  produce  is  lime  ;  which  is  made  here  in  large 
quantities,  and  fent  by  water  to  Kingfton.  The  air  on  thefe  hills 
is  extremely  healthy  :  the  rocks  are  concealed  from  view  by  innu- 
merable aromatic  herbs,  (hrubs,  and  trees,  polieffed  of  great  medi- 
cinal virtues,  though  hitherto  explored  only  by  a  few  curious  per- 
fons.  This  whole  diftrift  is  filled  with  the  larger  fpecies  of  mock- 
bird,  whofe  lively  notes  ferve  to  chear  its  dreary  vales.  The  cu- 
ratoe  and  aloes  grow  here  very  luxuriantly ;  and  fome  experiments 
have  been  made,  by  a  gentleman  who  lived  here,  with  the  filk-grafs 
and  grape-vines,  which  were  found  to  thrive  extremely  well.  The 
foil  is  alfo  produftive  of  potatoes,  yams,  and  other  Weft-India  roots, 
and  all  the  melon  tribe,  in  great  pcrfeftion*  There  is  an  exceeding 
good  fifticry  on  the  coaft ;  but  the  want  of  water-lprings,  there 
being  only  one,  that  I  have  heard  of,  in  the  whole  traft,  and  the 
few  articles  of  profit  to  be  gained  from  fuch  a  foil,  will  probably 
be  the  means*  of  its  remaining  for  the  moft  part  in  a  ftate  of  na- 
ture. The  ridge  of  high  land,  part  of  this  tra£l,  which  faces  Port- 
Royal  harbour,  is  called  Salt-pond  Hill,  from  a  large  piece  of  falt- 
water  on  the  South  Weft  fide  of  it,  covering  near  feven  hundred 
acres.  This  was  formerly  a  falt-work  ;  which,  with  two  more  in 
the  parifh  of  St.  David,  was  conduced  by  a  captain^  Jofeph  Noye^ 
who  made  from  them  in  one  year  ten  thoufand  bufliels,  and  af- 
firmed, that  he  could  have  made  as  many  ton^,  if  there  had  been 

G  2  a  vent 


44  JAMAICA. 

a  vent  for  fo  miich  at  the  market  But  the  great  manufaftory  of 
fait  at  Tortuga  caufed  this  .article  to  fall  fo  cheap,  that  it  has  for 
many  years  paft  been  difcontinued  in  Jamaica.  This  fait- pond  is 
about  four  feet  in  depth,  and  moft  plentifully  flocked  with  good 
fifli ;  which  are  a  more  profitable  article  of  traffic  to  the  prefent  ^ 
owner,  who  fends  them  daily  for  fale  to  Spauifli  Town,  little  more, 
than  fix  miles  diftant. 

The  parifhioners  of  St.  Catharine,  St.  Thomas  in  the  Vale,  and 
St.  Dorothy,  formerly  exercifed  a  fort  of  right  in  common  of 
making  fait  here,  for  the  ufe  of  their  families :  but,  during  the  go- 
vernment of  Sir  Thomas  Lynch,  they  agreed  with  Sir  Thomas- 
Modiford,  who  had  patented  the  circumjacent  lands,  that  he  fhould- 
deliver  them  annually  at  the  rate  of  half  a  bufhel  of  fait  per  head,, 
including  Blacks  and  Whites,  only  not  to  exceed  five  thoufand 
bufliels  in  the  whole;  for  which  they  were  to  pay  is.  pet-  bufheh 
This  agreement  was  confirmed  by  an  ad  of  aflfembly,  but  has  been 
for  many  years  difufed. 

About  four  miles  North  and  North«.weft  from  the  town  is  another 
range  of  hills ;  over  which  is  fcattered  a  great  number  of  polinks, 
or  places  applied  entirely  to  the  cultivation  of  garden-ftufF,  fruits, 
and  fuch  fort  of  provifion,  for  the  town-market.  The  range,  diflin- 
guiflied  by  the  name  of  the  Red  Hills,  from  their  reddifh  foil,  is 
thought  to  produce  the  feveral  Weft-India  fruits,  of  a  better  flavour 
than  almoft  any  other  pdft  of  the  ifland.  Many  of  the  town-^in- 
habitants  have  little  fettlements  here,  with  good  houfes,  to  which 
they  occafionally  retire.  No  part  of  the  world  can  enjoy  a  more 
agreeable  or  healthy  air.  The  Spaniards  formerly  efteemed  it  a 
Montpellier  ;  and  numbers  ufed  to  pafs  over  from  Cuba,  in  order  to 
refide  here  for  the  re-eftabli(hment  of  their  healths  From  many 
parts  of  thefe  hills  the  profpedt  is  rich  and  extenfive,  commanding 
a  view  of  the  town,  the  paftures  adjacent,  the  harbour  and  (hipping 
at  Port  Royal,  and  of  the  veflels  coming  in  or  going  out.  Thefe 
hills  are  deftitute  of  fprings ;  but  the  inhabitants  eafily  fupply  that 
want  by  preferving  rain-water  in  cifterns  or  jars,  which  they  find 
extremely  pure  and  falubrious. 

The  foil  of  St.  Catharine's  parifh  is  various.     The  hills  abound 

with  lime-ftone  rock;   the  champaign  confifts  chiefly  of  favannah 

I  land. 


B  O  OK    IL      CHAP.    VIl:  45 

£ind,  or  sr  rkh  brick  mould ;  the  pafture  laotU  id  th&  ueighbour'^ 
hood,  and  what  Ik  adjacent  to  the  river,,  are  of  the  latter  kind^ 
the  rainy  feafons  have  b©8n.  for  maay  years  too  uncertain  in  this 
part  of  the  country  for  the  cultivation  of  the  fugar-cane,  to  which 
the  nature  of  the  foil  is<  excellently  adapted  :  but  the  richnefs  of 
their  grafs- makes  amends;  and  the  owners  draw  confiderable  profit 
by  breeding  cattle  and  fheep,  and  fattening  for  the  town-markets. 
Indigo  once  flouriflied  in  all  this  diftridt.  Attempts  have,  withit*. 
thefe  few  years,  been  made  by  one  or  two  gentlemen  to  revive  it;, 
but  dry  weather  baffled  their  project,  and ^ convinced  them  of  its. 
impracticability.  The  well-water  in  thefe  parts  is  in  general 
bracki(h,  or  containing  an  admixture  of  fait ;  which  feems  to  in- 
dicate the  exi{?ence  of  fait  mines  here;  but  none  have  yet  bcen^ 
difcovered  ;  and  probably  they  lie  at  too  great  a  depth  to  be  of  fer- 
vice  if  they  are  ever  known.  There  are  other  wells  of  a  very 
pure  water,  fupplied  probably  by  fprings  or  fubterraneous  currents,, 
which  do  not  pafs  through  any  ftrata  of  this  foffil:  That  fait  is 
plentifully  intermixed  with  the  foil  here  in  fome  places  is  evident 
from  the  licks  to  which  cattle  and  Iheep  greedily  refort.  I  have 
feen  fcveral  of  them  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  town.  Thefe 
animals  are  known  to  be  extremely  fond  of  fait;  and  inftin(9:,  dire<3:s 
them  where  to  find  it.  They  experience  its  good  efFcdbs  in  cor- 
reSing  the  deleterious  quality  of  the  crude  grafs,  produced  here, 
fromfudden  heavy  rains  fucceeding  a  drowth.  On  thefe  occafions, 
they  are  fubje£l  to  violent  diarrhoeas,  which  are  frequently  mortal. 
The  penn-keepers  ufe  no  other  remedy  than  mafhed,  pickled  her- 
rings, given  them  by  way  of  a  drench,  which,  if  the  dilorder  has. 
not  continued  too  long,  performs  a.  certain  cure.  There  is  no 
doubt  but  the  fait,  and  not  the  fubftance  of  the  fifh,  is  the  remedy 
to  which  their  cure  is  to  be  afcribed  ;  and  this  is  further  confirmed 
by  the  common  obfervat ion,  that  (heep,  paflured  on  the  falinas, 
or  lands  contiguous  to  the  fea,  are  not  afflidted  with  the  rot ;  and 
that  the  cattle,  watered  from  a  brackifli  well,  are  much  lefs  apt 
to  be  fcoured  with  the  crude  grafs  than  others. 

The  air  of  the  flat  country  comprehended  within  this  parifli  is 
cfteemed  in  general  very  healthy,  except  after  the  fall  of  the  au- 
tumnal rains;  when, the  water,  ftaguating  for  fome  time  on  the  low 

grounds. 


46  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

grounds,  19  thought  with  good  reaibii  to  be  produftivc  of  aguifh 
.  complaints,  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers ;  from  all  which, 
5  the  adjacent  hills  offer  a  certain .  afylum  to  fuch  of  the  mhabitants 

whofe  circumftances.admit  of  their  removal. 

The  foUowingcomparative  table  may  give  fbme^dea  of  the  mo* 

dern  ftate  of  this  patifli : 


Quantity  of  Sugar  in  one  Yetr. 

Hogdicads. 

Negroes. 

'Cattle.        Sugar-plantations.   4                       1    Other  Settlements. 

■1734, 

5502 

'8002 

1740, 

6203 

8581 

.1745, 

(>599 

«Q43 

.1761, 

7016 

5          1        3P  1             95 

1768, 

7308 

;  1 0402 

:s  E  C  T.    III. 

St.  Dorothy,  in  thePrecin£l  of  St.  Catharine. 

THIS  parifh  is  bounded  on  the  Eaft  by  St.  Catharine;  Weft, 
*  by  Clarendon ;   North,  by  St.  John;  and  South,  by  Old  Harbour 
and  the  fea. 

The  town  of  Old  Harbour  contains  about  thirty  houfes,  inha- 
bited chiefly  by  wharfingers  and  faftors;  this  being  the  principal 
.barquadler  for  this  parifh,  St.  John,  a  part  of  St.  Thomas  in  the 
Vale,  and  a  part  of  Clarendon.  It  had  formerly  a  fmall  fort,  or 
rather  batteiy ,  which  has  not  been  thought  of  confequence  enough 
to  fupport  in  repair;  for  the  harbour,  or  bay,  lying  only  about 
leven  leagues  Weft  from  Port  Royal,  and  about  ten  miles  from 
Spanifh  Town,  notice  might  be  difpatclied  to  either  of  thofe  places 
in  a  very  fliort  time  upon  any  alarm;  and  as  the  fame  breeze, 
which  would  ferve  to  carry  a  fliip  of  war  from  Port  Royal  to  their 
afliftance,  would  prevent  an  enemy's  ve{fel  from  getting  out  of 
^he  bay,  no  privateer  will  dare  to  venture  fo  far  in  as  to  give  the 
town  any  annoyance  :  befides,  the  entrance  into  the  bay  is  fortified 
with  io  many  cayes  and  (hoals,  as  to  make  the  navigation  very  ha- 
zardous to  ftrangers ;  and  even  thofe  beft-acquainted  with  it  require 

day4ight 


BOOK    III      CHAR     VIL  47 

day-Iightand  a  favourable  land-wind  to  carry  them  out.  I'he  inner 
OP  Eaft  harbour  is  an  inlet,  or  cul  de  fac^  turning  near  fix  miles 
wkhln  land,  and  fo  flieltered  on  all  fides,  that  fliips  have  rode  here 
with  perfect  fafety  in  tl^  moft  furious  hurricanes.  -On  this  account, 
the  Spaniar-ds^^  moored  their  galleons  here  during  the  ftorray  feafon  ; 
but  the  channel-leading  to  it  is  now^ for' choaked  with  mud^  that 
loaded  (hips- cannot  get  in  or  out;  -for  which  reafon,  the  merchant- 
vcfleh,  which  come  to  take  in  cargoes  at  this  port,  lie  further  out 
in  the  bay,  where  vefiels  of  almolt  any  burthen  may  have  fufficient 
depth  of  water  and  a  fine  anchoring-ground. 

In  the  offitig  of  the  bay  is  a  very  good^  firtiery,  chiefly  for  fnap- 
pers,  which  form  a  principal  part  of  fubfiftence  for  the  inhabitants 
at  Old  Harbour,  At  certain  times^of  the  year  there  is  alfo  great 
plenty  of  turtle  caught  upoti  the  coaft.  A  company. of  foldiers  is- 
quarteredhere  in  barracks,'  built  at  the  expence  of  theparifh.  As  * 
this  place  c<!)ntains  nothing  further  of  note,  I  fliaU  pafs  on  to  the  ' 
market^ .  whidi;  is  diftant  about  two  miles  inland,  and  is  fo  called 
from  the  Negroe  market,  held  here  regularly  every  Sunday  fore-^ 
noon,-  for  poultry,^  corni  eggs,  and  other^fmall  articles  of  provifion. 
It  is  an  infignifieant  hamlet  of  about  twelve  houfes,  confifling  of 
taverns  and  (hops,  and  diftant  about  one  mile  from  the  parochial 
church,  ..a  tfmalJ  building,  dole  by  which  is  the  rcdor*s  houfe, 
iituated  on  a  xocky  eminence,  which  commands  an  agreeable  pro^ 
fpe£t  of  the  fea  and.  adjacent  country.  From  the  piazza  of  this 
hauie  the  eye  takes  in^a  view  of  great  part  of  St>  Catharine  and  Li- 
guarea,:  and  the  fea  from  St,  Thomas  in  the  Eaft  to  Portland  Point 
in- the  Weft.-  But  the  flat  part  of  St.  Catharine,  St.  Dorothy,  and 
Clarendon^  appears  to  be  in  a  manner  a  continued  wood,'  from  the 
multitude  of  opopinax  trees-  which  are  fuffered  to  grow  in  the 
hedge-rows  and  middle  of  the  »paftures;  and  this  detracts  greatly 
from  the  beauty  of  the  landfchape.*  The  ftipend  annexed  to  this 
re^Slory  is.  200 /•  per  annum \  and,-  the  pariih  not  being  very  po^ 
pulous,  the  whole  income  of  the  living  is  probably  under  400/. 

The  only  tiver  inthis  parifli  is  the  Black  or  Bridge  river,  -which 
takes  its  rife  in  a  fmall  morafs  about  feven  miles  from  the  harbour*    . 
The  excellence  of  its  water  has  already  been  mentioned.     It  'croffes 
ilie  great  Weftcrn    road  which^  leads   from   Spanifh  Town  to  the 

leeward    * 


4«  JAMAICA- 

leeward  parts  of  the  ifland,  over  afunken  bridge  of  large  timber- 
.V90Yk  and  (tones.  It  is  here  but  a  fmall  ftreaiu ;  but  it  widens  oil 
approaching  the  harbour,  and  becomes  deep  enough  to  admit  the 
fliips  long-boats  wiiich  come  here  for  water.  Near  the  mouth  of 
it  are  caught  exceeding  fine  jew-fifti  and  calipever,  for  the  Spanifli 
Town  market.  Th«  foil  adjacent  to  it  is  extrepiely  rich  ;  and 
large  t rafts  are  capable  of  being  watered  by  channels  drawn  fron> 
the  river,  and  cultivated  with  the  fugar-cane;  but  hitherto  no  fuch 
advantage  has  been  made  of  either.  The  foil  of  this  parifli  in  ge- 
neral rel'embles  that  of  St.  Catharine,  and  lies  under  th^  like  mif- 
fortune  of  uncertain  feafons ;  for  which  reafo»,  it  has  nev^r  oaade 
any  conftderabk  figure  as  a  fugar-parifli. 

The  hilly  parts  of  it  tpwards  the  North  abound  in  pimento- 
trees;  which  flaews  their  foil  well-adapted  to  this  produdiont 
though  it  is  not  extenfively  attended  to  here,  for  want  of  inhabi- 
tants. The  air  of  the  coaft  is  b«t  indiflirent :  the  interior  parts 
are  cfteemcd  more  healthy  ;  and  particularly  the  hills,  where  it  is 
perfeftly  clear  and  temperate. 

In  the  naomitains  near  St.  John's  is  an  exceedingly  fine  chalybeate^ 
fpring,  which  has  performed  many  furpriiiug  cures  iu  dropfical  ha- 
bits ;  and  in  cafes  where,  by  lingering  and  ill -managed  intermiti- 
tents,  the  patient  was  too  relaxed  and  emaciated,  the  blood  impo^ 
verilhed,  and  the  tone  of  the  flomach  much  impaired.  Some  have 
been  known  to  recover  from  a  dropfy  by  the  ufe  of  it,  after  being 
ieveral  times  tapped.  The  edate  in  which  it  rifes  having  been,  a 
few  years  ago,  fold  by  Mr.  Harris,  the  former  proprietor,  the  pur- 
chafer,  either  through  ignorance,  or  for  fome  other  reafon,  cauied 
a  bank  to  be  dug  down,  at  the  foot  of  which  it  had  ufed  to  be 
taken  up.  It  now  lies  covered  by  a  load  of  foil  and  rubbiih  feveral 
feet  in  depth ;  fo  that  the  public  are  at  prefent  unhappily  deprived 
of  this  providential  remedy.  It  is  much  to  be  lamented,  that  the 
many  excellent  mineral  and  medicinal  waters  in  this  ifland,  diflri^ 
buted  here  by  the  benevolent  Father  of  mankind,  on  purpofe  as  it 
were  to  adminifter  an  eafy  relief  under  fome  of  the  moft  excru- 
ciating ailments,  ihould  have  fallen  fo  little  under  the  public  care^ 
that,  excepting  the  bath  in  St.  Tbdmas,  I  do  not  know  of  one  that 
has  been  thought  worthy  of  the  legiflative  attention. 

The 


BOOK    ir.      CHAP.     VII.  '49 

"The  aftroites,  or  ftar-ftones  ajid  brontI«,  hedge-hcg  and  echiirt 
ftohes,  are  found  in  great  abundance  oh  the'coaft.  Tlie'firft*men- 
tioned,  as  well  as  the  coral  rocks,  which  extend  from  Salf-pond  hill 
to  Old  Harbour,  near  the  (hore,  when  calcined,  make  an  excellent 
lime  for  building. 

It  feems  now  to  be  the  efl:abli{hed^  opinioQ,  foundedrupon  ana- 
tomical obfervations,  that  the  black  complexion  of  Negroe^-  pro- 
ceeds entirely  from  a  reticulum  mucofum,  or  dark-coloured  net-work, 
fpread  immediately  beneath  the  cuticle  of  their  bodies.  It  is  like- 
wife  prefumed,  upon  reafbnable  grounds,  that  the  different  cafts  of 
complexion,  obfervable  among  the  different  fpecies  of  men,  ^deriv^e 
their  various  tints  principally,  if  not  entirelx*  from  the  colour  of 
their  reiicula.  The  offspring  of  two  Negrpe-parents,  if  born  with 
a^white  or  light-colourejd  reticulum^  is  called  an  Albinoe.  A  male 
child  of  this  fpecies  was  born,  a  few  years  fince,  at  a  polinck,,  in 
the  hills  between  St.  Catharine  and  this  parifli,  and  is  probably  ftill 
living.  The  complexion  of  k  wa&a  dead,  dull  white,  refembling 
that  of  a  corpfe ;  its  hair,  or  rather  wool,  a  light-flaxen  colour, 
ftrong,  coarfe,  and  curling,  like  th^t  of  a  Negroe  ;  the  features 
were  truly  of  the  Negroe  caft  ;  the  noftrils  wide,  and  lips  thick 
and  prominent ;  the  eyes  were  alight-grey,  large  and  full,  and, 
when  brought  into  a  flrong  light,  were  in  a  continual,  rolling  mo- 
tion, which  gave  the  child  the  foolifh  look  of  an  idiot.  If  he  (hould 
attain  to  manhood,  and  beget  children,  the  attention  of  the  cu- 
rious will  be  excited  to  remark  the  colour  of  his  progeny.  A  na- 
tion of  thefe  Albinoes  are  faid  to  inhabit  fomewhere  in  the  central 
parts  of  Africa;  who  are  weak  and  of  low  ftature,  and  do  not  mix 
with  the  Blacks.  They  are  called  Dondos,  or  Mokiffes,  by  the 
natives;  and  art  faid  to  have  fcarcely  any  fight,  except  by  moon 
or  owl-light,  and  to  be  at  continual  war  with  the  Blacks,  who  at*, 
taek  them  iti  the  day-time,  when  their  fight  is  at  tlie  worft ;  and 
they  take  their  revenge  in  the  night<>  when  it  is  bed.  They  are 
likewife  faid  to  be  educated  in  the  fcience  of  prieflcraft,  or  witch- 
,  craft,  and  to  fill  the  chief  offices  at  Loango  in  all  religious  affairs 
and  fuperflitious  ceremonies.  Some  of  the  Negroes  in  Guiney  arc 
of  opinion,' that,  although  they  have  their  males  and  females,,  like 
«the  refl  of  mankind,  they  are  incapable  of  procreating,  if  not  of 
Vol,  II.  H  coition. 


50  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

coition.  Biit  this  wants  prooft  Several  of  the  fame  fpecies  ace- 
affirmed  to  have  been  feen  in  other  parts  of  Africa,  in  Borneo,  iu 
India)  and  New  Guiney. 

I  fhall  conclude  the  account  of  this  parifh   with   a  table,  as 
Wore : 

Annual  Produce  of  Sugar. 
Sugar-plantAtioDS,    |   Hogiheads.    |   Other  Setcleineots.. 


l^cpoui' 

Catde. 

»734. 

2298 

534» 

1740, 

^s^s 

5468 

»745» 

2423 

4540 

1758, 

3229 

4232 

1761, 

3210 

^7^3* 

307s 

3899 

1766, 

37»3 

4236 

1768, 

.3665 

4661 

12  j  700       I  56 

Taking  the  lifts  of  1768  and  1740  into  comparifon,  the  decreafe 
of  cattle  appears  to  be  807,  although  no  new  fugar-plantations- 
^ere  formed  within  that  time.  And  this  falling-ofi;  I  am  afraid,. 
tnuft  be  referred  chiefly  to  the  introdu<^ion  of  foreign  cattle,  for 
fupplying  the  markets  and  fquadron :  this  proved  a  difcouragement 
to  many  penn*-keepers  in  the  pariih,  and  occafioned  their  deferting^ 
it ;  fo  that  feveral  penns,  which  formerly  were  capital  breeding- 
penns,  are  at  prefent  in  wafte» 


SECT.    IV. 
St-       J    O    H    N. 

Thisparifti  has  for  its  boundaries^  on  the  North,  St.  Anne? 
on  the  South,  St.  Dorothy ;  on  the  Eaft,  St.  Thomas  in  the  Vale  j: 
and  on  the  W^eft,  Clarendon.  The  whole  of  this  parifti  is  oc- 
cupied with  hills,  mcMintains,  and  vallics.  It  is  watered  with 
four  rivers,  of  which  the  Rio  Montando,  or  Mountain  river,,  is 
the  principal;  and  with  the  feveral  fprings  and  ramificatioiis 
which  contribute  to  form  them.  The  foil  in  general  is>  fertile^ 
even  on  thehigheft  ridges.     It  abounds  with  fine  timber  ;  and  the 

vales 


BOOK    II.     CHAR    VIL  51 

iralcs  are  particularly  prolific  ;  of  thcfe  the  Vale  of  Luidas,  diftant 
about  twenty-one  miles  N*  W.  from  Spanifh  Town,  is  the  beft- 
fettled.  Before  fugar- works  were  formed  here,  it  contained  only 
breeding- penns,  whofe  paftures  were  fo  rich,  that  the  cattle  were 
remarkably  fat,  and  their  flefh  of  an  exquifitd  flavour*  Thefe 
penn4ceepers  ufed  to  fupply  the  market  of  Spani{h  Town  with  veal, 
which  Sir  Hans  Sloane,  I  think,  extols  very  highly.  The  climate  of 
this  pari(h  is  cool  and  temperate.  Exceeding  good  butter  has  been 
made  here  by  one  or  two  families ;  and  I  have  feen  moft  kinds  of 
European  garden  fluff,  produced  in  the  Vale  of  Luidas,  in  as  great 
perfeftion  as  any  that  is  brought  to  Coven t-garden -market.  The 
cherry,  apple,  quince,  and  peach  tree,  thrive  and  bear  fruit  in  this 
vale ;  a  fure  indicaition  of  the  cool  temperature  of  the  climate^ 
and  that  the  furrounding  mountains  would  be  found  on  experiment 
to  produce  them  in  ftill  higher  pcrfedion.  The  air  of  this  pari(h 
is  confequently  very  healthful,  and  has  proved  entirely  agreeable 
to  European  conftitutlons.  But  it  is  far  from  being  well-inhabited, 
the  roads  leading  from  it  requiring  a  great  deal  of  improvement* 
After  eroding  the  Red  Hills,  we  enter  a  tolerably  cultivated  vale  at 
Lloyd*s  eftate,  interfperfed  with  a  few  well-built  houles,  which, 
for  want  of  the  refidcnce  of  their  proprietors,  are  haflening  very 
faft  to  decay.  From  this  vale  we  afcend  Cudjve  Hill;  from  part 
of  which  there  is  a  South-eaft  profpeft  over  the  Red  Hills  to 
Kingfton,  and  Weftward  to  Old  Harbour  and  Goat  Ifland,  with 
a  near  view  of  fuch  plantations  as  lie  inimediately  below.  Some 
miles  further  inland  is  Bolt's  Hill,  which  rifes  ftill  higher ;  the 
fides  of  it  are  finely  cloathcd  with  fugar-canes ;  and  from  the 
fummit  the  Southern  hills  appear  depreiled,  and  the  eye  takes  in 
aboundlefs  profpeft  over  the  fca,  beyond  Port-Royal*  About  tho 
diftancc  of  two  miles  further  North  are  the  barracks,  which  ar<J 
built  of  ftone,  and  command  a  narrow  pafs  of  communication  be-* 
tween  the  North  and  South  fides  of  the  ifland.  This  pofl:  is  ca-» 
pable  of  being  made  exceedingly  ftrong ;  and  even  now  a  garrifon 
of  fifty  men  might  hold  it  againft  five  hundred:  but  hitherto  (a^ 
I  am  informed)  no  detachment  has  been* cantoned  in  iu  The  bar«» 
racks  are  no  fooner  pafled,  than  we  diiicover,  at  the  difl:ance  of  four 
or  five  miles  along  a  vifto  between  two  continued  chains  of  hills, 

H  2  at 


52  J    A    M    A:  I    C    A. 

at  the  footof  which  ruDS  a  brokep  gully,  called  Juan  de  Bolas  (oc 
John  of  the  Vale),  the  delightful  valley  of  Luidas,  before-fpoken- 
of,  encircled  with  the  lofty  mounds  of  four  pariflies,  St.  John,. 
Clarendon,  St.  Anne,  and  St.  Thomas  in  the  Vale.  Some  of  thefe 
highlands  near  Juan  de  Bolas  are  fai^  to  have  rich  veins  of  the 
precious  ores  ;  but  noexpence*  is  fufficient  to  explore  the  profound 

regions  in  which  they  lie  concealed.     The  late  Sir  S n  CI^: — -ke 

(who  was  defcended  from  an  ancient  family  in  Warwickfliire,  and 
bore  fome  of  the  higheft  offices  in  this  ifland),  amongft  other 
branches  of  fcience,  attained  to  confiderable  knowledge  in  .  me- 
tallurgy;  and,  had  his  fucc(ifs  been  at  ^\  proportioned  to  his  (kill, 
might  have  beftowed  his  application  to  a  very  profitable  end :  but„ 
xinhappily,  after  an  immenfe  expence  and  trouble  in  fearc^ing  foe 
the  hidden  treafure,  he  found  (topjate)  that  his  favourite  purfuit 
bad  only  contributed  to  the  redu<3:ion  of  bis  fortune.  The  church, 
if  not  lately  repaired,  is  in  a  ruinous,  dilapidated  ftate.  The 
redlor,  however,  has  a  good  hoijfe  and  fome.  glebe  land.  His 
ftipend  is  200/.  and  the  annual  value  pf  the  living  fuppofed  not  to 
exceed  32c/.  per  annum.  f 

State  of  the  Parifli :      . 

Annual  Produce 
Sugar-plantations.    |  Itogfheads.  |     Other  Settlements*. 


Negroes. 

Cattle. 

J734. 

5242- 

2561 

1740, 

S^7S  ■■ 

2837 

» 

I745»  ■ 

51^^    ' 

2250 

1761, 

5888     • 

1768, 

5455 

2726 

21  I     2200     I  50^ 

The  decreafe  of  Negroes  fliews  that  this  parilh  is  not  getting  for-  ^ 
wards.  Let  me  here  remark  (oncb  for  all)  on  the  great  utility  of 
Comparing  the  prefent  and  part  ftate  of  the  parilhcs  together.  It 
is  the  true  teft  by  which  the  legiflaturcTOay  judge  of  the  ftate  of 
the  whole  ifland,  and  where  the  lyniptoms  of  a  decline  are  ma- 
nifeft  ;  as  in  the  example  of  this  parifhj^  which  is  bleft  with  every 
natural  advantage  of  a  good  air,  a  fruitful  foil,  and  regular  leafons. 
It  may  juftly  be  fufpefted,  that 'kiretrogradation:  under  thefe  very 
favourable  circuniftances  can  hdppcfarno  otherwife  than  from  fome 
defeat  in  the  policy  of  internal  goveniment;  perhaps  notliing  .fo 

much 


► » » » 


BOOK      11.     CHAP.     Vrr.  5:3: 

mud:^  as  a  want  of  good  roads,  and  the  impoveriihed  condition  of 
thofe  wlj.o  have  failed  in  their  fettlements,  principally  from  this 
caule.  But,  whatever  the  caufe, may  have  been,  it  is  the  duty. of 
a  patriotic  legiflature,  when  convinced  of  the  fadt,  to  fearch  for 
the  fource  of  evil  by  the  naoft  probable  rules  of  enquiry;  and,, 
when  they  have  difcovered  it,  to  apply  the  befl  remedies  in  their 
power*. 


I  SECT.     V. 


St.  Thomas  in  the  Vale. 

THIS  parifti  is  bounded  towards  the  North  by  St.  Anne,  and 
St.  Mary  ;  towards  the  South,  by  St.  Catharine;  on  the  Eaft,  by 
St.  Andrew;,  and  on  the  Weft,  by  St.  John^  It  is  watered  by 
the  Cobre;  the  D*Oro;  the  Rio  Magno,  formed  by  the  conflux 
of  the  Tilboa  and  Indian  rivers;  and  by  fcverai  fmall  rivulets 
which  fell  into  thencL  The  greater  part  of  this  parifti  is  comprized 
within  the  vale  called  Sixteen-mile-walk.  This  vale  is  about 
eleven  miles  in  length  by  eight  in  width,  and  contains  between 
fifty  andfixty  thoufand  fquare  acres.  It  is-  fituated  Southerly,  be- 
neath the  main  ridge  or  chain  of  high  mountains  which  traverfe 
the  ifland  from  Eaft  to  Weft.  It  is  alfo  inclofed  on  all  oth^r  fides 
with  a  circumvallation  of  high  hills  and  mountainsl  It  h  neither 
flat  nor  fwampy,  but  diverfified  throughout  with  gentle  rifi'ngs  ai>d 
flopes.  The  foil  is  fertile,  for  the  moft  part  a  red  coarfe  earth 
mixed  with  clay,  or.  a  dark  mould  uppn  a  whitlfti  marie.  '  It.  i$ 
full  of  fprings  and  rivuleta,  which  unite  with  the  larger  /^reaniSjj 
and  thefe,  meeting  together  near  the  chafm^  or  opening  betwi^ 
the  mountains  on  the  South  fide  of  the  yalo,  augment  that  noble 
river  the  Cob  re,  which  contiijues  its  courfe  irregularly  between 
rocky  mountains  and  precipices,  alternately  a  calcade  or  fmooth 
water,  as  it  happens  to  be  naore  or  lefs  impeded,  exhibiting  for 
fome  miles  a  very  romantic  fcene  till  it  reaches  the  plain  belov^. 
At  that  part  of  the  vale  wher/e  it  f^rft.ihapes  its  ,cQurfe  towards  Spa** 
nifh  Town,  it  enters  between  two  yawning,  rocky  hilJs,  whiciij;  ap- 

pear. 


54  JAMAICA. 

pear  as  if  they .  had  been  rifted  on  purpofe  to  give  it  a  pafllige* 
The  vale  is  almoft  daily  throughout  the  year  overcafl  with  a  thick 
fog,  which  begins  to  rife  llowly  on  the  approach  of  evening,  grows 
4Jeiyfer  as  the  night  advances,  becomes  gradual'y  difFufed  into  all 
the  contiguous  vales  or  inlets  among  the  furrounding  mountains, 
is  heavieft  about  the  dawn  of  day,  and  remains  fettled  until  the 
fun  has  warmed  and  agitated  the  air ;  then  it  rifes  higher,  expand- 
ing in  the  atmofphere;  and  between  the  hours  of  eight  and  nine 
in  the  forenoon  it  begins  to  flow  away  in  two  principal  ftreams,  the 
one  Weftward  among  the  mountains  on  that  fide,  the  other  South- 
ward, following  the  courfe  of  the  river*  Early  in  the  morning  it 
is  extremely  thick;  and,  if  viewed  at  this  time  from  the  fummit 
of  the  mountains,  it  affords  the  moft  lively  reprefen ration  poflible 
of  a  large  lake,  or  little  (ea :  the  feveral  vales  and  collateral  inlets 
appear  to  be  arms,  harbours,  bays,  and  creeks  5  the  elevated  fpots, 
idifperfed  through  it,  and  covered  with  trees,  buildings,  or  cane- 
pieces,  refemble  fmall  iflands,  which  here  and  there  uplift  their 
diminutive  heads  above  water,  combining  into  view  the  moft  pic- 
turefque  and  delightful  variety.  This  fog  has  been  remarked  as  a 
fingular  phs&nomenon  almoft  from  thefirft  fettlement  of  the  ifland. 
I  (hall  not  pretend  definitively  to  explain  the  phyfieal  caufes  of  it; 
the  fubje£l  has  puzzled  much  abler  heads  :  but  as  every  one  has  a 
ri^ht  to  offer  his  conjcftures ;  {o  I  may  be  allowed  to  fubmit  mine, 
without  affecting  to  controul  the  opinions  of  others. 

The  great  abundance  of  rain  that  falls  on  the  encircling  moun- 
tains, their  prodigious  furface  and  fudden  fteep  rife  from  the  vale 
on  all  fides,  may  probably  occafion  a  vaft  quantity  of  water  to  dc- 
fcend  inceiTantly,  through  fubterraneous  chafms,  into  fo  low  a  fitu- 
fttion,  as  it  were  into  a  huge  fink.  The  foil  of  the  vale,  which  in  ge- 
neral (as  has  been  obferved)  is  a  clay,  may  poffibly  obftrudl  the  free 
emergency  of  this  water  to  the  furface,  except  in  particular  places, 
where,  the  ftratum  being  thinner,  the  refiftance  is  lefs ;  or  where 
gravel,  fand,  or  mould  of  a  loofe  texture,  predominate.  Accord- 
ingly, we  obierve  it  copioufly  watered  with  feveral  fprings  and  ri- 
vulets, which  have  their  fource  among  the  adjacent  high  lands. 
But  although  thefe  currents  do  iK>t  burft  forth  in  all  parts,  yet  th^ 
fmaller  globules  of  water  may  gradually  be  rarefied  and  evaporate, 

affifted 


Boox  n.     CHAP.  vn.  55 

iflifted  by  the  native  warmth  of  the  marie  below,  and  the  aftiott 
of  the  iblar  heat  above ;.  which  enable  thofe  globules  to  penetrate    ^ 
the  fijrface-  ia  form  of  vapour^    In  a  vale  encompafled  with  fucb 
prodigious  mounds^  the  folar  cay^  muft  ftrike  with  confiderable 
imprefiion,  and  fupply  the   earth  to  a  certain  dfeptli  with  a  large 
Aock  of  heat,  which  doth  not  wholly  leave  it   for  many  hours 
after  fun-fet*    The  ingenious  Dr^  Haies  remarks,,  that  fo  great  a 
heat  as  the  fun  occaiions,  at  two  feet  depth  under  the  earth's  fur^ 
face,  mud  needs  have  ftrong   iiifluenee  iii«  Eaiiing  the  moiilure  at 
that  acid  greater  depths ;  whereby  a  continual  reek  mufl:  always  be 
a/cending,  during  a  hot  feafon,  by  night  as  well  as  by  day  ;  for  the 
heat  at  two  feet  depth  is  nearly  the  fame  night  and  day.     The  im^ 
pulfe  of  the  fun-beams  giving^  the  moifture  in  the  eartlx  a  brilk 
undulating  ixu)tion»  thefe  aq.ueous  particles^  when  feparated  and  ra* 
reiied  by  heat,  afcend  inta  the  atmofphere.     In  the  day-time,  the 
rarefa£tIoa  of  thefe  particles  is  fo  gi«eat,  that  they  pais  from  the 
earth  imperceptibfy  :.  after  fon-fet,    the  cool  air,   ruftiing  dowa- 
wards  from  the  mountains,   condenfes,.  and  renders  them  vifible^^ 
In  this  ftate  the  fog  refls^  brooding  over  the  vale,  for  want  of  heat 
to  raife  it  higher,  or  of  wind  to.  difpel  it;:  for  the  land-wind  does^ 
not  ul'ually  blow  here  with  an  impetuofity  fufficient  to  drive  it  over 
thefe  lofty  barriers  that  hem  In  the  vale :  but  it  is^  obferved,  that 
ftrong  Norths  in  the  winter-months  force  it  vehemently  through. 
the  opening  of  the  Southern  chain^  through  which  the  Cobre  flowsj^ 
and  difperfe  it  for  fcveral  miles,  even  to.  Spanifh  Tawn,  and  fbme-^ 
times  beyond  iti  but,  whenever  this  happens,  no  fog  is  to  be  ieeD' 
in  that  quarter  of  the  vale  bordering  on  the  Northern  isange  of 
mountains  from  which  the  wind  then  fets*     Another  Angularity  is^ 
that,  on  the  approach  of  a  rainy  day,  this  fog  does  not  appear  the 
antecedent  evening ;  the  reafon  of  which  may  be,  that  &ch  even- 
ings being  always  clofe   and  fultiy,  it  is  probable  the  rarefadioca 
continues  as  well  by  night  as  by  day^  and,  the  ufijal  condenfatioDH 
not  taking  place,    the   particles  are  liot  rendered    obvious  to  the 
fight,  although  perhaps  the  reek  at  fuch  times  is  rather  more  coi- 
pious  than  at  others.     So  in  the  low  hnds,  on  the  evening  pre- 
ceding rain,  the  atmofphere  feels  unufually  eiofe  and  oaoift*.  the 
thermometer  does  not  fink  after  fun-fct^  no  perceptible  vapours-  mfer 

Aoticed^, 


-56  JAMAICA. 

moticed,  and  no  dew  appears  on  the  grafs.  The  unaltered  ftatloa 
\of  the  thermometer  is  alone  an  evident  proof,  that  the  heat  of  the 
.atmofphere  is  not  diminiflied,  and  confequently,  that  the  vapours 
remain  uncondenfed. 

Fogs  are  generally  fuppafed  detrimental  to  health  ;  but  the  fog 
of  Sixteen-mile-vvalk  by  no  means  deferves  this  imputation.  The 
inhabitants  do  not  (cruple  to  expofe  themfelv.es  to  it  freely ;  nor  is 
it  known  to  produce  any  effeds  injurious  to  them.  The  principal 
'Caufe  of  its  inoffenfive  quality  may  be,  that  it  is  not  mixed  with 
^ny  fulphureous  or  noxious  exhalations;  at  lea  ft,  it  is  vvithoiit  any 
.fenlible  fmell ;  which  would  moft  certainly  not  be  the  cafe,  if  it 
was  much  impregnated  with  any  fuch  effluvia.  Its  goodefFeds  con- 
fift  in  the  copious,  dew  which  it  Iheds  upon  the  trees  and  herbage, 
and  which  fupports  them  in  the  drieft  weather  in  a  -flourishing  ftate. 
Thofe  long  drowths  therefore-,  which  fometimes  happen  in  this 
ifland,  fo  fatal  to  the  eftates  iii  general,  afFed  the  plantations  in 
-this  vale  but  very  Jittlc;  the  fog  fupplying,  in  a  great  meafure,  tlip 
want  of  rains,  or  at  leaft  fo  far  as  to  fave  the  canes  from  periftiing 
in  the  manner  they  do  in  other  parts  of  the  ifland. 

The  North^weft  part  of  this  vale  is  called  The  Maggoti,  a  tradl 
of  favannah  lying  near  the  foot  of  Monte  Diablo.     The  name  of 
this  favannah  gave  rife  to  a  ftory,  that,  whenever  it  rains  here^  the 
drops  which  fall  upon  any  pcrfon's  cloaths  become  maggots  in  half 
an  hour.     This  wonderful  metamorphofis,  reported  probably  at  firft 
-by  way  of  joke  to  fome  credulous  inquirer,    has  with  all  its  ab- 
furdity  been  fwallowed,  and  retailed  by  feveral  authors,   copying 
one  from  the  other,  and  gravely  recorded  by  them  among  the  nota- 
bilia  of  this  iQand,     Thefe  maggots,  however,  never  exifted,  ex- 
cept in  the  brains  of  the  inventor.     The  name,  perhaps,  was  of 
Spaui(h  extraftion,  compounded  of  Maga  (an  enchantrefs),    and 
Oteo  (watching  on    a  high  place);   alluding  probably  to  the  pin- 
nacle of  Monte  Diablo^    over  which   the  thunder-clouds   fo    fre- 
quently break,  as,  together  with  its  horrid  afpe<St,  to  makeitfeem  a 
-proper  rcfidcnce  for   a,  witch,    under  patronage  of  the  Devil,  to 
•whom  the  mountain  was  dedicated.    The  road  leading  from  Six- 
:  teen ^miie*  walk  to  St.  Anne  crofles  this  mountain,  traverfing  the 
':fece  of  it,   Vvjiich  h  fo  fteep,    that  few  travelers  venture  to  de- 

Icend 


BOOK    IL      CHAR      VH.  yy 

fcend  on  horfe*back«  Some  tradition »  perhaps,  remained  coocarn^ 
ing  tlie  origin  of  the  Magotti^  when  a  fmall  hou(e  of  refre(hment 
was  kept  on  the  higheft  part  of  the  road,  many  years  ago,  known 
by  the  fign  of  Mother  Red-^cap  ;  which  name  that  part  fttU  retains^ 
The  cavern  at  River-head  in  the  North- Weft  part  of  the  vale 
extends  near  a  quarter  of  a  mile  under  a  mountain,  or  perhaps 
more,  it  being  impoffihle  to  explore  the  whole  length,  on  account 
of  the  river  Cobre,  which  occupies  the  inmofl  part  of  ft,  and,  run* 
ning  for  a  coniiderable  way,  fuddenly  (hoots  through  a  hole  in  the 
rock  on  one  iide,  and  continues  its  current  under  ground  for  a^  conr 
iiderable  diftauce  from  the  cave.  Tliat  this  river  draws  its  origin 
from  Ibme  large  (Iream  in  the  mountains,  far  beyond  the  cave, 
feems  evident,  by  its  riling  or  falling  in  eicad  proportion  as  the 
rains  are  heavy  or  otherwiie  in  the  mountains.  After  very  heavy 
r^us,  the  river  is  fo  fwelled,  that»  unable  to  vent  itfelf  at  the 
hole,  the  fuperfluous  water  difembogues  through  the  mouth  of  the 
cavern.  An  ingenious  man  attempted,  a  few  years  fince,  by  Hx« 
ing  a  flood-gate  acrofs  the  hole,  to  force  the  current  of  the  river 
into  a  regular  channel  by  the  mouth  of  the  cavern,  and  conduft 
it  from  thence  to  turn  water-mills  on  the  neighbouring  cfiatea, 
The  undertaking  had  all  the  appearance  of  being  practicable,  but 
was  laid  afide  after  the  death  of  the  prqje£tor.  Near  the  foot  of 
die  Northern  ridge,  at  no  great  diftance  from  the  road  which  leads 
over  AfyMt€  Diablo^  is  a  cocoa-nut  tree  of  very  fingular  growth* 
About  thirty  feet  or  more  above  the  bafe,  it  divides  into  two  di- 
fUnd  ftems,  which,  continuing  their  afcent  for  ieveral  feet,  at 
an  angle  thus  V  9  ^^^^  ^^  pretty  equal  elevation  above  the  main 
ftem  or  body  of  the  tree,  are  crowned  with  tops  of  beautiful  fo- 
liage, and  nearly  of  the  fame  magnitude ;  but  whether  both  are 
produdive  of  fruit  or  not  I  could  ik)C  learn.  As  no  other  of  the 
like  figure  has  been  obferved  in  the  ifland,  it  may  be  regarded  as 
Q  hijut  natura^  of  a  very  unufual  kind.  The  pafs  which  admits  a 
communication  between  Spanifh  Town  and  this  vale  ought  not  here 
to  be  unmentioned.  After  traveling  about  three  miles  from  the 
town  on  a  pretty  level  road,  we  come  to  a  fugar-plantation,  for- 
meriy  calk^  by  the  ^aniards  Los  Angetos,.  and  now  The  Atigels. 
Juft  beyond  this  begins  the  entrance  of  the  pafs.  From  hence  to 
VoL.IL  I  the 


58  JAMAICA. 

the  opening  into  Sixteen-mile-walk,  for  the  fpace  of  four  miles  and 
a  half,  is  a  continuation  of  precipice  on  both  fides,  divided  only 
by  the  river,  except  a  fmall  elbow  at  the  end  of  four  miles,  where 
a  few  acres  of  level  grouild  at  the  foot  of  thcfe  ridges  has  admitted 
of  a  little  fugar-work.  The  road  cut  into  the  fide  of  the  moun- 
tain, falls  by  an  eafy  defcent  to  the  bridge,  and  crofSng  the  river 
is  conducted  along  the  remainder  of  the  way  not  many  feet  above 
the  furface  of  the  water :  it  is  therefore  fubjeft  to  be  broken  away 
in  many  places  by  the  violence  of  floods ;  but  this  inconvenience 
is  fubmitted  to  from  the  imprafticability  there  appeared  of  car- 
rying it  higher  through  fuch  immenfe  mafles  of  rock  as  form  im- 
pediments the  whole  way.  For  a  confiderable  length,  the  road 
is  walled  up ;  and,  as  it  is  fo  liable  to  damage,  not  only  from 
inundations  of  the  river,  but  the  falling  of  large  trees,  rocks, 
and  earth,  from  the  impending  crags  and  precipices  under  which 
it  runs,  the  cxpence  of  repairing  it  is  very  great,  and  requires  a 
Handing  body  of  worki-nen,  who  are  employed  the  whole  year  to 
Iceep  it  in  order.  The  height  of  the  mountains  on  each  fide  over- 
shadowing it  morning  and  afternoon,  the  paflage  is  extremely  cool 
and  agreeable ;  every  turn  of  the  road  prefenting  the  eye  with  new 
appearances  of  the  river,  the  rocks,  and  woods ;  whilfl  the  water, 
fometimes  roaring  and  foaming  in  its  current,  where  it  is  confined 
to  a  narrow  and  rugged  channel ;  at  other  times  gliding  fmoothly 
tind  filontly  along,  delights  the  traveler  with  an  alternate  variety.  At 
the  end  of  four  miles,  the  mountain  called  Gibraltar  opens. to  view 
a  vaf^  folid  wall  of  rock  of  prodigious  height,  whofe  furface,  ap- 
parently perpendicular,  is  neverthelefs  cloathed  with  trees  and 
ihrubs  from  the  bafe  to  the  fummit;  the  tops  of  one  row  termi- 
nating where  the  roots  of  the  next  row  begin,  fo  as  almofl  to 
feem  growing  one  upon  the  other.  After  heavy  rains  a  cataraiS): 
fpouts  from  the  pinnacle  of  this  flupendous  mafs,  rendering  it  ftill 
more  awful  and  romantic.  The  defile  continues  not  far  beyond 
this  majeftic  objeft,  though  not  widening  till  we  enter  at  once  the 
extenfive  and  beautiful  vale  of  Sixteen-mile- walk.  The  air  of  this 
vale  was  fufpeded  formerly  of  producing  the  Wefl-India  colic 
or  belly-aeh ;  but,  as  that  diforder  does  not  feem  at  prefeut  to  be 
particularly  attached  to  the  fpot,.  fome  other  caufe  miifl  haw  madfe 

it 


B  O  O  K ;  IL      C  HA  P.     VII.  59; 

itendemial:  perhaps  the  inhabitants  at  this  time  are  lefs  addicted 
to  drinking  new  rum,  and  therefore  lefs  affli£led  with  it.  The  air 
of  this  parifli  is  in  general  reputed  healthy ;  and  the  habitations 
throughout  the  vale  being  for  the  moft  part  built  on  rifing  ground, 
they  are  not  fubjefl  to  damps.  This  traft  was  among  the  firft  fet- 
tled with  fugar-plantations,  and  what  it  produces  now  of  this  com- 
modity is  of  an  excellent  quality ;  but  the  land  is  thought  to  be 
much  worn.  The  truth  is,  that  fome  of  the  plantations  here  were 
formed  upon  a  gritty,  red,  and  naturally  fterile  foil,  which,  for 
want  of  regular  manure,  and  having  loft  by  degrees  its  luperficial 
coat  of  vegetable  mould,  became  lefs  and  lefs  produftive,  till  the 
proprietors  threw  them  up  as  unfit  for  the  fugar-cane.  But  others, 
who  have  purfued  a  better  hufbandry,  ftill  reap  advantage  from  it 
in  reafonably  good  crops.  The  air  of  the  mountains  .is  perfedlly 
fine  and  healthful.  Upon  one  of  them,  near  the  confines  of*  Su 
Catharine*s,  is  the  governor's  polinck  or  provifion  ground,  which' 
has  a  fmall  but  neat  villa  upon  it,  and  was  purchafed  by  the  af- 
fembly,  as  an  occafional  retreat,  during  the  hot  months,  for  the 
commander  in  chief.  The  foil  of  thefe  mountains  is  fertile;,  and 
they  are  chiefly  appropriated  to  fupply  the  eftates  in  the  vale  with' 
the  difl^erent  kinds  of  vegetable  provifion,  and  lime  and  timber  for 
repairing  their  works.     This  parifli  contained, 

Annual  produce. 
Negroes.         Cattle.         Sugar-works.         (   Hoglheads.    |    Other  Settlements. 

lo  i734»    7568       4441 
1740,   8475       4813 

^745»    8239        4797 
1761,   9057 

1768,   8382       5782  41  I    35^^     I  37 

It  appears  from  hence  to  have  made  little  or  no  progrefs  fince  the 
year  1740  ;  and  the  increafed  number  of  cattle,  amounting  to  969, 
are  probably  the  flock  brought  upon  thofe  runs,  which,  after  being 
in  canes,  have  been  converted  into  paflure. 


1 2  SECT. 


ae  JAMAICA. 


S  fe  C  T.     VI. 
CLARENPON 

IS  006  of  the  largeft)  healthieft^  and  bcft-fettled  pariihes  in  th^ 
whc^  ifland.  It  is  bounded  on  the  Eaft  by  the  pariflies  of  St.  Do* 
rothy  and  St.  John  ;  on  the  Weft,  by  St.  Elizabeth  ;  on  the  North, 
by  St.  Anile  ;  and  on  the  South,  by  Vere,  and  a  part  of  Old  Har^ 
bour  Bay.  It  is  watered  with  no  lefs  than  fifteen  rivers,  befides 
iamimerable  rivulets  and  iprtngs.    The  names  of  theie  rivers  are^ 

GreeaRiver,  Ballard^s^  Rock,  and 

Thomas,  Pindar's,  Craal ; 

Tick»  Juan  de  Bolas, 

whoTe  feveral  ftrea^ais  fall  into  the  Minha    There  are  likewiie. 

The  Cave,  Milk, 

Pedito,  Baldwins,    and 

Croft's^  J^wcr^s. 

The  capital  of  diefe  is  the  Minho,  which  takes  its  fource  about 
twenty  •fix  miles,  in  a  dire£fc  line,  from  the  iea  on  the  South  fide,  but 
with  its  various  meanders  makes  a  courfe  of  fifty  and  upwards*  I 
do  not  know  if  the  (hort  river  (hould  be  added  to  the  lift.  It  lies 
exaOly  xyi\  the  boundaty  Jwhich  divides  this  parifh  from  St.  Anne. 
It  is  a  large  body  of  water,  which  appears  in  a  hollow,  or  dell ;  and, 
after  running  with  great  violence  a  little  way,  fuddenly  difappears, 
probably  to  give  birth  to  another  river  below ;  but  its  fubterraneous 
direftion  has  not  as  yet  been  difcovered.  The  Cav^,  Pedro,  and 
Croft^s  rivers,  are  alio  remarkable  for  hiding  themielves  under 
ground,  after  a  courfe  of  fbme  miles  above*  The  river  Minho 
was  probably  fo  called  after  one  of  the  fame  name  in  Portugal  j 
for  it  is  to  be  obferved,  that  the  firft  fettlers  from  Europe  were 
a  mixture  of  Spanifh  and  Portuguefe.  It  is  from  this  rea^  that 
we  find  in  the  ifland  mountains  and  rivers  named  in  both  thefe  Ian* 
guages.  But  the  name  was  applied  with  great  propriety  to  this 
river,  as  there  are  many  circumftances  to  induce  a  belief,  that  the 
S^iards  opened  and  worked  a  gold  mine  fbmewhere  near  its 

banks» 


BOOK    n-      CHAP.    VH.  6i 

banks.     Of  this  I  ihall  hereafter  fpeak  more  parttcularly  trader  the 
head  of  minesy  as  I  am  willing  to  bring  the  whole  on  that  head 
into  one  vlew^  and  ihall  therefore  add  nothing  further  upon  it  for 
the  prefent.     It  may  be  imagined,  that  a  didriA,  watered  fb  plen« 
tifully  as  this  is,  muft  be  well  calculated  for  fettlements :  but  it 
was  not  much  cultivated  in  the  time  of  the  Spaniards  ;  they  pof^ 
ieiied  a   few  cacao* walks  near    the  Minho,    but  chiefly  reported 
hither  to  hunt  the  wild  hogs,  which  were  always  very  numerous^ 
in  it,  and  are  not  yet  extirpated.     The  water  in  general  of  all  the 
rivers  and  iprings  is  tolerably  pure  and  wholefbme,   except  when 
di(h]rbed  by  land- floods.    The  lower  part  of  the  pariih  towards  th^ 
bay  coniifts  chiefly  of  iavannah  land  for  about  fix  mile^  in  length, 
here  atid   there  interfperfed  with  rocky  hills  of  no  great  heights  * 
The  hills  rife  gradually  in  height  the  further  we  advance  into  the 
heart  of  the  parifh ;  yet  here  are  few  or  none  fb  fleep  or  barren,  as^ 
not  to  be  fit  for  culture  of  fomt  fort  or  other.    The  vales  betweea 
the  hitls  and  mountains  are  in  general  fpacious,  watered  by  fbme 
river,  and  enriched  with  fine  cane- land.  The  conveniency  of  having, 
water-mills,  and  the  firmuefs  of  the  roads  in  general,  has  encou-^ 
r^d  the  inhabitants  to  carry  their  fugar-plantations  much  farther 
inland  than  in  any  other  diflri£l:  of  the  iflaud  ;   and  there  are  fome 
at  no  lefs  difknce  than  twenty-two    miles  from  tlie  barkadier- 
Thele  eflates  form  their  carriage  into  two  ftages,  fixing  the  termi- 
nation  of  the  firfl  at  about  midway,  where  they  have  convenient 
pafhires  and  ftere-houfes,  for  refrefhment  of  their  cattle,  and  lodge- 
ment of  their  goods.     The  foil  within  the  mountains  is  inferior  lo^ 
none,  either  for  the  production  of  canes  or  providotis ;   and  the 
woods  are  full  of  excellent  timber..    The  rivers  abound  with  the 
mullet,  fb  much  admired  for  its  delicious  flavour,    hi  fhort,  the  in- 
habitants have  all  the  means  of  plenty  in  their  hands  from  thele 
fburces,  and  the  regularity  of  their  feafons;  and  of  courlc  they 
are,  at  leafl  the  greater  part,  opulent  and:  flourifliing.     The  hack-- 
parts  of  the  parifli,   bordering  on  St.  Anne  and  St.  Elizabeth,  are 
the  worft-peopled :  yet  here  is  a  great  field;  of  encouragement  to» 
invite  fcttlers;  for  the  remoteft  eftates  hitherto  formed  are  known 
to  produce  fugars  of  the  beft  quality.     The  foil  of  the  high  lands 
is  in  general  either  rocky ^  intermixed  witli  a  black  (hell -mould,  or 

5  a.  fine 


6*  J    A     M    A    I    C    A. 

a  fine  vegetable  dark  mould   on  a  clay^    The  lower  grounds  are 
chiefly  clay,  intermixed  here  and  there  with  rich  veins  of  vegetable 
mould,  or  the  brick  mould;   the  latter,  moftly  abounds  near  the 
banks  of  the  rivers,  confifting  of  the  ftdiment  they  have  depofited, 
or  of  the  finer  particles  vvaflied.down  from  the  hills.     The  planta- 
tion called  Carvers  is  one  of  the  moft  celebrated  for  its  fertility :  it 
is  a  finall  dale,  furrounded  with  rocky  hills,  and  (o  rich,  that  it 
produces  almoft  invariably  three   hundred  hogflieads  of'fugar^J^r 
annum,  with  fo  little  labour  to  the  Negroes  employed  upon  it,  that 
they  multiply  fufficiently  to  keep  up  their  (lock,  without  having 
recourfe  to  African  recruits.     Near  Juau  de  Bolas  river,  about  fix- 
teen    miles   from  the  coaft,   the  road  continues  towards  St.  Ann's, 
paffing  by  eafy  traverfes  up  the  fide  of  a   fteep  mountain,  on  the 
fummit   of  which  we  enter   a   favannah,  or  plain,  of  about  four 
miles  in  length,   called  Old  Woman's  Savannah,  from  an  elderly 
Spanifli  lady,  who  took  up  her  abode  here  after  the  ifland  was  fur- 
rendered  to  the  Engli(h,  and  refided  here  many  years  in  a  hut* 
This  lavannah  is  watered  with  feveral  fine  fprixigs ;  and  the   foiU 
though  apparently   not   fertile,  produces  very   good  fugar.      The 
air  is  fo  pure  and  delightful,  that  many   fmall  fettlements  have 
been  formed  here  >  and  the  inhabitants  attain,  for  the   moft  part, 
to  a  good  old  age«     The  late  Mn  James  Dawkius  made  choice  of 
this  fpot  for  founding  an  academy  for  the  inftru^ion  of  boys,  na- 
tives of  the  ifland ;  and,  had  he  lived,  the  projed:  would  no  doubt 
have  been  brought  to  matiirity :  but  of  this  plan  I  ihall   hereafter 
give  a  further  detail.     The  hamlet,  or  village  of  the  Crofs,  is  fi- 
tuated  about  fix  miles  from  Old  Harbour  Bay,  on  the  great  rpads 
leading,    one  to  leeward,  the  other  to  Old  Woman's  Savannah. 
It  confifts  of  about  ten   houfes,    near   the  parifli-church,   which 
is  an  handfome  brick-building,  of  four  ailes.     Hard-by,  likewife, 
ftandsthe  Ikeleton  of  the  parfonage-houfe,  which  at  prefent  is  con- 
verted into  a  cooper's  ftiop  ;  a  metamorphofis  that  is  not  at  all  won- 
derful ;  for  the  inhabitants  of  this  hamlet,  being  moftly  Jews  and 
Mulattoes,  afford  no  very  agreeable  neighbourhood  to  a  Proteftant 
divine.     Ttee  lowlands  of  thisparifh  were  the  firft  fettled;   but  the 
inhabitants  in   procefs  of  time  having  found  .the  climate  of  the 
mountains  more  cool,  the  fealbns  more  regular,  and  the  foil  more 

fertile^ 


BOOK    11/     CHAR      VII.  63^ 

fertile,  removed  to  them,  and  have  carried  their  improvements  to 
very  great  perfedtion.  The  reftor^s  ftipend  is  250/. ;  but  this  being 
an  extenfive  and  populous  parifli,  the  living  is  reputed  worth 
600/.  per  annum  at  leaft,  and  includes  about  twelve  Negroe  flaves, 
who  are  appropriated  to  the  ufe  of  the  reftor  for  the  time  being. 
The  chapel  is  diftant  about  twelve  miles  further  inland,  a  fmall 
but  neat  building,  and  furnifhed  with  a  good  organ.  Divine  fer- 
vice,  far  the  convenience  of  the  parifhioncrs,  is  alternately  per- 
formed here,  and  at  the  Crofs  Church  :  the  quarter^feffion  is  ge- 
nerally held  at  the  Chapel ;  and  the  eleftion  of  reprefentatives  at 
the  Crofs.  The  hamlet  of  the  Chapel  confifts  of  only  feven  or 
eight  fcattered  houfes.  Here  arc  the  parifli-barracks ;  in  which 
a  company  of  regulars  is  quartered,  and  a  fmall  market  is  held 
occafionally  by  the  Negroes  of  the  neighbourhoodv 

About  three  miles  from  the  Crofs,  the  Weftern  road  paflcs  the* 
channel  of  Rio  Minho,  which  hereabouts  changesr  its  name  to  Dry 
River,  becaufe  it  is  fometimes  quite  dry,  and  at  other  times  very 
broad  and  rapid.  Weftward  from  this  paflage,  the  road  continues 
nearly  the  fame  diftance,  till  it  approaches  Lime  Savannah,  where*- 
a  branch  diverges  from  it  Northwards  to  the  Chapel ;  but  the  main 
road  continues  on  to  St.  Jago  Savannah.  In  the  middle  of  this- 
open  {pace  is  a  gentle  riiing,  which  commands  a  diftant  view  of  the 
whole ;  and  here  is  very  properly  lituated  a  ftarting-chair,  for  feeing, 
the  races,  which  are  fometimes  held,  for  the  Vere  fubfcription- 
purfe.  Upon  this  favannah,  which  is  well-ftocked  with  cattle  of 
all  kinds,  are  feveral  large  ponds,  befide^  many  fmall  (prings  and 
rivulets,  which  never  lofe  their  water,  except  in  times  of  moft  un- 
ufual  anrd  long- continued  drowth.  The  road  which  branches  off 
to  the  Chapel,  after  leaving  the  flat  country,  afcenda  among  rocky 
hills,  till  it  reaches  Tick  Savannah.  A  great  part  of  this  road  is- 
truly  romantic;  and  the  whole,  from  top  to  bottom,  for  the  extent 
of  two  miles,  is  hung  on  either  fide  with  the  deep  gloom  of  lofty 
trees,  ever  verdant,  and  riling  in  wild  gradation  out  of  ftupendous- 
rocks  and  chafms.  The  favannah  receives  its  name  from  the  river 
Tick,  which  runs  through  part  of  the  vale  ju(t  below  it.  On  the 
top  of  the  favannah  is  a  large  piece  of  water,  of  confiderable  depth, 
the  refort  of  various  wild- fowl.     Not  far  from  hence  i&  the  feat  of 

Mr.  F n,. 


64  JAMAICA. 

Mr.  F ^n,  formerly  chief-jufticc  of  the  ifland ;  a  native,  and  one 

whofe  talents  are  (b  extraordinary^  that  it  is  almofl:  impoifible  for 
the  moft  impartial  pen  to  do  ju (lice  to  them.  In  this  ifland  alone, 
he  has  attained,  by  obfervation,  reading,  converfation,  and  the  na- 
tural acumen  of  his  genius,  a  more  comprehendve  and  accurate 
knowledge  of  places,  perfons,  and  things,  in  Great-Britain,  Europe, 
and  even  throughout  the  known  world,  than  moft  other  gentlemen, 
who  have  had  opportunities  of  being  perfonally  acquainted  with 
them,  or  of  obtaining  the  moft  intelligent  accounts  of  them* 
Though  he  never  trod  any  other  earth  but  this  little  fpot  Jamaica, 
yet  he  is  intelligent  in  the  manners,  arts,  fciences,  and  people  (fa 
far  as  have  been  hitherto  difcovered),  of  the  whole  terreftrial  globe* 
Nature,  it  is  true,  endued  him  with  a  retentive  memory,  and  fa- 
culties uncommonly  fagacious  ;  but  ftill  it  is  fignally  to  his  merit, 
that  he  has  improved  every  advantage  which  ihe  gave  him  ;  no  one 
has  ftudied  more,  nor  better  underftands  what  he  has  ftudied,  than 
this  gentleman,  whom  with  the  ftri£teft  propriety,  and  without  the 
leaft  particle  of  adulation,  I  may  aver  to  be  worthy  of  being 
efteemed  among  the  firft  ornaments  of  this  country. 

His  houfe  is  delightfully  placed  upon  a  fmall  riling,  in  the  centre 
of  a  little  vale :  at  no  great  diftance  from  it  are  two  craggy  rocks, 
which  peep  over  the  fummits  of  two  hills,  and  reiemble  the  ruins 
of  antique  caftles.  Immediately  below  it  lies  a  little  garden,  filled 
with  orange,  cacao,  and  other  trees,  for  ufe  and  pleafure.  Beyond ' 
this  are  fcveral  hills,  clumps  of  tufted  wood,  and  natural  avenues 
into  the  adjacent  country. 

At  about  one  hundred  paces  diftance  from  this  manfion  is  another 
of  more  modern  and  elegant  conftru£lion.  It  coniifts  of  one  very 
large  and  fpacious  room,  upwards  of  fifty  feet  in  length,  about 
twenty  wide,  and  twelve  high.  This  is  entered  by  a  door- way  at 
the  North  end,  under  a  portico  of  about  twelve  or  fifteen  feet 
iquare,  fupported  by  columns  of  the  Tuican  order ;  and  at  the 
South  end  is  a  gallery,  out  of  which  the  eye,  over-looking  a  fmall 
garden,  is  carried  along  an  avenue  between  two  gently-rifing 
woods,  that  have  a  iblemn,  filent  grandeur*  Adjoining  to  tht 
principal  room  are  finaller  apartments,  one  of  which  is  a  library 
furniihed  with  a  colledion  of  the  beft  authors.    The  old  habitation, 

though 


BOOK    ir.      CHAP.:  VII.  45. 

though  lefs  elevated,  iieverthelefs  commands  a  richer  and  more  ex- 
tenfive  profpcft,  comprehending  the  fineft  part  of  Clarendon,  and 
of  the  neighbouring  pariihes.  The  beauties  of  nature  that  arc 
difplayed  here  are  innumerable.  In  one  place  is  feen  a  long,  wavy 
furface,  adorned  with  the  lively  verdure  of  canes,  interfperfed  with 
wind-mills  and  other  buildings.  In  another  are  heheld  feveral 
charming  lawns  of  pafture-larid,  dotted  with  cattle  and  (heep,  and 
watered  with  rivulets.  In  a  third  are  Negroe  villages,  where  (far 
from  poverty  and  difcontent)  peace  and  plenty  hold  their  reign ; 
a  crefted  ridge  of  fertile  hills,  which  feparates  this  pari(h  from 
thofe  contiguous  on  the  North  and  £ail,  diflantly  terminates  thf 
landfchape. 

The  produce  of  this  pari(h  is  ihipped  for  the  mofl  part  at  Old 
Harbour  Bay;  on  which  there  are  two  principal  barquadiers,  the- 
one  at  Old  Harbour  Town,  the  other  at  Bower'sHiver^ 

In   a  rocky  hill,  on  the   Northern  fide  of  Old  Woman's  Sa- 
vannah,  is  a  cavern  which  runs  a  great  depth  under   the  earths 
Upon  examination,  a  few  years  fince,  it  was  found  to  contain  a  great 
many  human  bones,  which  were  probably  either  Indians,  or  the 
relicks  of  fome  of  the  wild  or  rebellious  Negroes^  who  formerly 
infefted  this  part  of  the  country,  and  made  it  their  place  of  con-^ 
cealment.      Near  this   favannah   is   likewife  a  chalybeate- fpring^ 
which  has   performed  fome  cures,  but  is  not  much  attended  to» 
The  hills  adjacent  to  it  furniih  evident   proofs  of  their-  abounding 
with  copper  ore,  which  one   day  or  other  may  poffibly  excite  ^ 
ftrifter  invefligation.     The  hard,   (hining    pyrites  are  frequently 
found  iu  thefe  mountains;  and  magnetic  ftones  have  been  picked 
up  on  this  favannah,  which  feem  to  indicate  the  prefence  of  iron 
ore.     Many  of  the  fprings  in  this,  as  well  as  in  St.   Anne\s  and 
fome  other  pari  flies,  are  remarkable  for  their  iiicru  (ling  and  petre- 
faftive  qualities;    forming  in  fome  places  a  layer  or  thin  cruft; 
in  others,    penetrating   into  wood,   and  other  fubftances,   without 
altering  their   fhape.    I  have  feen  pieces  of  hard  wood  metamor^ 
phofed,  by  their  procefs,  into  ftone,   fo  as  to  anfwcr  the  purpofe  of 
hones  for  (harpening    knives.     In   moft  of  the  gullies  bordering 
upon  the  coaft,  are  large  quantities  of  agate,,  chiefly  of  the  flefli- 
Goloured,    blood- ccfloured,    and  yellow   kinds.  •  But    there    are 
Vol*  II.  K  ^  others 


«^  JAMAICA. 

others  more  variegated*  Thefe  natural  prodadions  are  fb  little  en- 
tjuired  aftet  here,  that,  I  believe,  they  are  even  unknown  to  many : 
yet  the  pains  of  collefting  thofe  mod  in  efteem  might  be  rewarded 
by  the  profit  of  vending  them  to  Great-Britain.  The  moft  va- 
luable fpecies  are  the  white-veined,  the  flefh-coloured,  the  red, 
the  pale-yellow,  the  dark-brown  with  black  veins,  and  the  green- 
i(h-brown  variegated.  A  few,  which  an  ingenious  gentleman  of 
thiis  ifland  brought  with  him  to  London,  were  greatly  admired. 
Ship-loads  might  be  procured  here  at  no  other  charge  than  that 
of  gathering  them ;  and  by  breaking  a  few,  the  bcft  fort  might 
beeafily  difcovered.  The  temperature  of  the  air  in  this  extenfivc 
parifli  is  various.  In  the  lowlands  it  is  for  the  moft  part  warm 
and  dry;  and,  among  the  mountains,  cool,  healthy,  and  invi- 
gorating. Some  of  the  low  grounds  adjoining  the  rich  banks  of 
the  Minho  are  unwholefome,  and  were  fo  reputed  by  the  Spa-- 
niards;  for,  in  times  of  drowth,  this  river,  about  ten  miles  diftance 
from  the  coaft,  begins  firft  to  bury  its  waters,  leaving  the  channel 
tlry  for  a  confiderable  length ;  then  rifes  again ;  and  ib  co&tinues 
linking  and  emerging  alternately  until  it  difembogues.  The  mud 
and  weeds,  thus  left  to  ferment  and  turn  putrid  with  the  heat  of  the 
fun,  are  fuppofed  with  good  reafon  to  breed  very  noxious  exhala- 
tions ;  and  the  known  unhealthinefs  of  one  or  two  eftates,  which 
border  upon  this  part  of  it,  cannot  otherwife  be  accounted  fon 
The  itvhite  inhabitants,  or  rather  the  proprietors  of  thefe  eftates, 
ini^t  fJrobably  be  relieved  from  'this  annoyance,  ,  by  removing  tlic 
dwelling  hotlfes  to  fome  convenient  eminence;  for  it  can  never 
be  conflftent  with  health  to  fleep  in  a  putrid  atmofphere.  The 
flourifhing  ftate  of  this  pariih  may  be  conceived  from  the  following 
table : 

Annual  Produce* 
Sugar-works.  |  Hogdieads.  |         Other  Settlements. 


Negroes. 

Cattle. 

'734. 

10769 

1 1027 

1740, 

^^S7S 

J  2299 

1 745» 

^^ns 

1 1969 

1761, 

13772 

1768, 

^SS^l 

14276 

70  (    8000    I  180 

By  which  it  appears  that,  in  the  number  of  Negroes  and  cattle,  it  is 
much  improved  ;  and,  by  the  great  quantity  of  produce,  that.it  is 

in 


BOOK     il.        CHAP.    VIT.  67 

in  a  flourifliing  fta?c.  The  large  extent  of  it  hitherto  unpeopled 
will  alfo  fuggeft  this  obvious  remark,  that  it  requires  many  more 
fettlers,  to  bring  it  to  a  more  ample  ftate  of  culture,  and  render  it 
ftill  more  beneficiaL  Its  advantages,  in  point  of  water  are  ob- 
ferveable  from  the  number  of  it?  water-mills,  there  being  no  fewer 
than  fifty.  Befides  fugar,  ginger,  and  cacao,  tlie  article  of  coffee  is 
lai^cly  cultivated  here  ;  and  the  annual  crops  of  corn  are  fb  greaL 
that  none  of  the  parifhes  are  better  flocked  with  hogs  and  poultry* 
Its  low  lands  alfo  abound  with  horles,  cattle,  and  (heep. 


S  E  G  T.     VIL 

Vere,  in  the  Precinft  of  Clarendon. 

THIS  parifh,  with  Clarendon,  forms  one  precind.  It  is  bounded 
Eaft  and  North  byClarendon ;  Weft,  by  St.  Elizabeth ;  and  South, 
by  the  fea.     The  town  of  Carlifle,  fo  called  in  honour  of  the  eaid 
of  that  name,  formerly  governor  of  the  ifland,   wa«  intended  near 
the  mouth  of  Rio  Minho ;  but  it  is  at  prefent  only  an  inconfi* 
derable  hamlet,  of  ten  or  twelve  houfes.     This  place  is  remark* 
able  for  having  been  the  fcenc  of  action  between  the  French  and 
Englifli  in  the  year  1694,  when  Monfieur  ©ucafle,  the  governor  of 
Hifpaniola,  with  a  (quadron  of  three  men  of  war,  and  twenty- 
three  tranfpocts,  having  onboard   1500  men,jnvaded  the  ifland  J 
and,  after  fome  inefFeftual  attempts  at  Port  Morant,  Cow  Bay,  and 
Blue6elds,  where  he  met  with  a  repulfe,  anchored  in  Carlifle  Bay 
on  the  1 8th  of  June,     The  governor.  Sir  William  Beefton,  who 
had  carefully  watched  their  motions,   and  conjeftured  their  inten- 
tion of  making  a  defcent  on  this  part  of  ^  the  coaft,  immediately  or- 
dered thither  two  troops  of  horfe,  the  St.  Catharine  regiment,  and 
part  of  the  Clarendon  and  St.  Elizabeth  regiments  of  foot-militia* 
On  the  19th  in  the  morning,  the  French  landed  between  fourteen 
•and  fifteen  hundred  men,  who  proceeded  to  the  attack  of  a  breaft- 
work,  which  had  been  haftily  thrown  up,  near  the  fliore.     This 
was  gallantly  defended  for  a  confiderable  time  by  two  hundred  of 
the  militia;  who,  finding  at  length  that  they  could  nOt  maintain 

Kz  ths 


^8  JAMAICA. 

the  poft,   rcpaffed  the  river  Minho,  after  killing  feveral  of  the 
enemy,  and  the  lofs  of  fome  of  their  own  officers.     In  the  mean 
time  the  militia,  difpatehed  by  the  governor^  having  arrived^  ad- 
vanced againft  the  French;  and,  not  with  (landing  the  fatigue  of 
their   long  march  from  Spanifli   Town,  they   charged  the  enemy 
with  fuch  fury,  as   obliged  them  to  retreat.     The  two  following 
days  a  few  (light  (kirmi(hes  happened ;  and  on  the  22d,  the  French 
attacked  a  brick  houfe,  then  occupied  by  a  Mr.  Hubbard,  which 
was  bravely  defended  by  tweuty^five  men,  who  killed  and  wounded 
feveral  of  the  French,  among  whom  were  fome  officers  of  di- 
ilin£lion.     The  French  retired  for  a  while,  threatening  to  renew 
the  a(rault ;  and,  in  the  mean  time,  a  detachment  from  the  £ngli(h 
troops,  of  fifty  picked  men,  was  thrown  into  the  houfe,  and  an 
ambufcade   prepaitd  with  the  reft.     But  the  enemy,  intimidated 
with  their  lofs  of  men  and  officers,  feeing  no  probability  of  being 
able  to  efTed  any  further  advance  into  the  country,  fuddenly  re- 
treated to  the.fhore,  re*embarked  with  the  utmoft expedition   on 
board  their  (hips,  and  on  the  24th,  their  whole  fleet  got  under  fail 
for  Hifpaniola.     The  whole  lofs  fuftained  by  the  French  in  this 
fhort  time,  by  their  different  engagements  and  (icknefs,   amounted 
to  near  feven  hundred  men.     Oq  the  part  of  the  Englifh,  one 
hundred  were  killed  and  wQunded.     Captain  Elliot,  who  had  been 
la.prifoner  at  Petit-Guava,  and  made  his  efcape  from  thence  in  a 
fmall  canoe,  brought  the  firft  intelligence  to  Sir  William  Beefton 
of  the  intended  invafion ;  for  which  he  was  afterwards  recompenfed 
by  king  William  III.  witl>  a  gold  chain  and  medal,  of  one  hundred 
pounds  value,  and  five  hundred  pounds  in  money. 

The  government  of  Jamaica  immediately  fet  about  framing  fe* 
yeral  adts  for  better  guarding  the  coafts ;  and,  among  others,  one 
for  enabling  the  inhabitants  of  Vere  to  ereft  a  fortification  for  their 
defence ;  in  confequence  of  which,  Carlifle  Fort  was  built  the  fol- 
lowing year.  This  fortrefs,  for  want  of  repair,  has  been  under- 
mined by  the  (ea,  and  for  many  years  in  a  ruinous  condition,  the 
guns  being  all  difmounted,  and  fome  of  them  buried  in  the  fand  1 
nor  will  it  probably  be  reftored  to  a  proper  ftate  for  defence  till  after 
fome  future  invafion  ;  the  general  rule  of  oeconomy,  purfued  in 
this  ifland,  having  been  to  let  the  preparations  for  defence  always 

follow, 


BOOK    H.      CHAP.    VII.  69 

Mklw^  tfiftead  of  preceding,  the  attack.    The  parifh^church  ftands 
at  the  diilance  of  about  two  miles  and  a  half  from  the  fort.     It  is 
extremely  well-fini(hed  on  the  infide,  has  an  organ,  and  a  tower. 
It$  ftrufture  is  low,  and,  being  furrounded  with  large  cotton-trees, 
it  cannot  well 'be  leen  till  on  a  clofe  approach.     There  is  a  decent 
rcftory  near  it,  with  about  feven  acres  of  glebe,  befides  twelve 
acres  more,  in  another  part  of  the  pariih,  of  very  fine  land    The 
flipend  granted  by  law  is  200/.  suid  the  whole  value  of  the  living 
about  3*50/^  per  annum.    About  half  a  mile  from  the  church,  on 
the  oppofite  fide  of  the.  river  Minho,  is  the  free-fchool,  founded 
about  the  year  1 74 1,  with  fundry  private  benefactions,  and  calcu* 
lated  for  inilru<fting  the  poor  children  of  the  pariih  in.  readings 
writing,  arithmetic,  Latin,  Greek,  and  the  mathematics,  under  the 
management  of  truftees  appointed' by   an  a£t  of  aliembly.     This 
pariih  is  watered  with  five  rivers,  the  Minho,  Milk  River,  Baldwin*^, . 
Hiliiard^s,  and  Salt  River ;  two  of  which,  the  Milk  and  Salt  Rivers, . 
are  navigable  by  boats  for  a  oond^erilble  way  up.     Baldwin's  and 
MilliardV  are  only  fmall  branches  which  fair  into  the  Milk  River; 
whieh^  as  welt  as  the  Minho^  difcharge  themfelves  into  the  fea;. 
Long  Bay,  and  the  mouth  of  Milk  Rivtfr,  are  only  anchoring-places 
for  floops ::  the  principal  dipping- places  are  at  Oarlifle  Bay,  and 
near  the  mouth  of  Salt  River ;  which  lattef"  His  its-  fourceaboutt  a 
mle  from  an  inI6t  on  the  Weft  fide  of  Old  Harbour  Bay,  under  the 
foot*  of  a  rocky  hill ;  the  faltnefs  ef  its  water,  frdm  whence  it  takes- 
its  name,  leems  to  indicate,  that'it  pafl'es  through  a  large  bed  of 
thatfofltL     The  entrance- into  the  bay  of  Old 'Harbour  from  Cape 
Boncato,  or  Cabarito,  on  the  Eaft;  to  the  Pitch  of  Portland,  Weft,, 
is  about  twelve  milfes  and  ahalfih  the  width,  and  the  bay  about: 
twdve  in  depth.     It  is  defended  by  fix  fmall  cayes,  or  little  fandy 
iflands,    wlrich  are  l6vv,  and  covered  with  ftirubs.     The  bafe  of 
thcle  iflands  feems  to  be  compofed  of  coral  roct ;   over  which  the 
fea  has  accumulated  heaps  of  fend  and  broken  (hells.     The  recfsj , 
extending  from  them  very  far   into  tho  bay,  render  the  channels 
very  darigferdus  to  ftrmiger^.     But  the  anchoring-grounds  are  very 
good  in' the  interior 'part^,  and  capacious  enough  for  five  hundred  \ 
laiL  (^ihtps.    'The  largeft  of  thefo  cayes  is  •  called  Pigeon  Ifland, 
from  the  flocks  of  pigeons,  chiefly  the  bald-pate,  which  ufed-to ' 

frequent 


ifo  J    A    M    A    I    C  •  A.  I 

frequent  it  formerly.  On  the  Weft  part  of*  the  bay  are.  Weft 
Harbour,  Peake  Bay,  and  Salt  River ;  which  arc  all  of  them  com- 
itiodious  for  (hipping,  and  well-covered,  either  by  the  Ridge  of 
Portland,  or  fmall  caye&;  {o\  that  the  water,  where  the  (kips  lye 
to  receive  their  loading,  is  geiaerally  fmooth,  and. utoaffe6ted  either 
by  the  wnd  or  fea. 

The  Promontory  of  Portland  is  about  ten  miles  in  length ,  and 
about  two  in  breadth.  The  whole  of  it  is  extremely  rocky,  and 
contains  only  one  fmali  fprit^.  Nature  has^  in  fome  degree,  com- 
penfated  for  this  deficiency,  by  fupplying  in  the.^hadier  parts  a 
great  number  of  little  bafons,  or  re&rvoirs,  formed  in  the  cavities 
of  rocks,  and  repleni(hed  with  rain-water ;  which  prove  of  great 
fervice  to  run-away  Negroes  harbouring  in  the  woods^  It  has  oialy 
four  or  five  fmalL fetdements  upon  it;  and  thefe  are  chiefly  fup- 
^ported  by  the  (ale  of  braiiletto,  and  fome  other  valuable  trees,  that 
are  ibtmd  here  in  abuii4ance«  ./pyrii:^  (he  laft  war,  a  French  pri- 
vateer made  a  defcent  at  Ca)i;li(l6  Bay^.  furprized  two  gentlemen  of 
.the  pari(h»  and  carried  tbcdji^.voff  to  (ea»  After  having  detained 
them  for  (bme  time,  the  cr«w  af  length  put  them  a(hore  at  Port- 
land Point,  with  no  other  .fu(l;eQance  than  two  or  three  bifcu its  an^l 
B  bottle  of  brandy.  From  this  Point  there  is  no  road  acrofs  to  tl^ 
main  land ;  ib  that  they  were  obliged, to  keep  along  (hore,  for. fear 
,of  lo(ing  thetofelveB  in  the  woo^s  :  but  the  fatigue  of  clanfiberiiig 
over  rocks,  added  to  theheat  and  tMrft,  was  fo  extreme,  that  only  one 
of  thetn  furvived  this  toilfome  march,  and  returned  to  his  family  and 
friends  ;  the  other  dropped  by  the  way,  and  peri(hed  before  any  af- 
iiftance  could  be  given  hirn.  Such  are  too  often  the  barbarous. ex- 
ploits of  thefe  licenfed  rovers ;  which  ferve  to  aggravate  th^  mi- 
series of  war,  by  committing  aits  of  inhumanity,  from  which  no 
advantage  can  refult,  either  to  themfelves,  or  the  (hte  that  emj* 
ploys  them !  The  range  of  hill  which  forms  this  promontory  ip 
divided,  by  a  fmall  morafs  near  the  head  of  Salt  Rivfer,  from 
another  range,  called  the  Braiiletto  Mountain,  which  extendi^ 
Northerly  into  Clarendon.  Thefe  ridges,  confining  fhe  paf;(t  pa 
the  South-eaft,  intercept  the  regular  current  of  tl^e  fea-breeze, 
and  contribute  to  render  the  fettlements  Weftward  of  thena  very 

-hon 

"       The 


BOOK'  II.      CHAP.    VII.  71 

• 

,  The  land  on  both  fides  the  Minho  in  this  parifh  \yas  once  famous 
for  the  number  of  indigo  works   fettled  upon  it;  all  of  which  are 
now  extinft.     It  is  chiefly   cultivated  in  canes :  the  almoft-level   , 
traft,  which  continues  from  the  fea  to  the  mountains  of  Clarendon, 
about  fixtecn   miles  in  length,  by  about  fourteen  in  width  in  the 
broadeft  part  (exclu five  of  the  fugar- works),  is  chiefly  employed  in 
cattle  and  (heep  paftures.     The  Weftern  quarter  of  theparifli  in- 
cludes a  range  of  high  land  called  Carpenter's  Mountains;  on  the 
Eaftern  fide  of  which  are   fome  few  fettlements,  but  the  greater 
part  remains  uninhabited:  acrofs  one  of  the  higheft  pitches,  named 
May-day  Hill,  runs  the  Leeward  road,  by  which,  after  pafling  fe- 
veral  miles  of  wood,,  we  come  to  a  good  tavern,  built  here  for  th** 
accommodation   of    travelers ;  this  being  the  principal  communi- 
cation  on   the  Sbbth  fide  between  the  windward  and  leeward  pa- 
riflies.     The   ait   of   thefe   mountains    is   exceedingly  cool     and' 
healthy ;     and  their   foil  in   general    very  fertile ;  which  may  be 
judged  from  the  ftately  trees  that  grace   each  fide  of  the  road* 
In  fome  part  of  t;liefe  mountains  (I  do  not  vouch  for  the  truth  of 
the.flory)  is  laid  to  be  a  perpendicular  chafm,    the  diameter  of 
whofe  .mouth  is  only  a  few  feet,  and  .the  depth  of  it  unfathomabk.  - 
The  following  fingular  phaenomenon  is  reported  of  it:  that,  al- 
ternately in  the  fpace  of  every  twenty- four  hours,  it  emit3  and  inhales  > 
a  ftrong  body  of  air  or  vapour  ;   and  that  If,  at  the  time  of  the  in- 
draught, a  fmall  bird,  or  other  light'  body,    fhould    be    thrown^  ' 
within  the  vortex,  it  would  be  irrefiftibly  drawn  in,  and  never  more 
make  its  appearance  above  ground.     On  the  South  of  thefe  moun-- 
tainjf,    the  old  road  to  Leeward  pafles   near  the  coafl:  fmmthi^* 
parifli  to  Blaqk  lliver  in  St.  Elizabeth;  but  it  has  been  feldom  u  fed - 
fiace  the  tr,ack  vvas  formed  acrofs  May-ddy  Hill,  which  is  a  mucb^ 
fafer  and  better,  way . 

The  low  lands  of  Vere  are,  for  the  moft  part,  hot  arid  parched  ; ; 
.but  the  air  is  reckoned  not  unwholefome,  extept  near  the  morafles,  . 
which  border  on  Peake  Bay  and  Weft  Harbour.     Vere  has  long , 
-been  famous  for  producing  the  fineft  mutton,  turkeys  and  other 
jpoultry.^  in.  the  ifland  ;  and  with  thefe  it  trafficks  largely  in  the 
towns,     it  produces  vaft  annual  crops  of  .Guitiey  corn,  and  pulfe'^ 
-of  various  kinds,  which  form  the  chief  part  of  fubfiftence  for  the 

Negroes,  , 


72  JAMAICA.. 

Negroes,  and  fmall  ftock  belonging  to  it.  Near  the  Milk  River  is 
a  hot  falt-fpring,  the  waters  of  which,  fome  writers  have  not 
fcrupUd  to  affirm,  will  coagulate  the  white  of  an  egg:  but  this  is 
extremely  fabulous.  The  fpring,  upon  examination,  was  found 
very  pellucid,  but  felt  only  milk-warm,  and  contained  feveral  littl© 
ftriped  fi(h  of  a  fpecies  fimilar  to  what  are  obferved  in  Salt  River ; 
which  is  an  inconteftable  proof,  that  the  water  is  never  in  a  ftate  of 
ebullition.  The  principles  of  this  water  have  not  as  yet  been  afcer- 
tained  by  any  analyfis  ;  but  it  is  pretty  evident,  that  the  predomi* 
nant  fait  is  marine.  It  ha«  proved  very  efficacious  in  cleanfing  and 
healing  foul  ulcers,  and  removing  cachedic  fwellings  of  the  legs 
and  feet,  externally  applied. 

This  ifland  contains  the  three  different  kinds  of  heights,  diftiii- 
guiflied  in  Ireland  by  the  words.  Knocks  %i^ify*Pg  an  irifulated  hill, 
or  one  unconnedted  with  any  range;  Slieve^  a  craggy  mountain, 
gradually  afcending,  and  continued  in  feverat  ridges ;  and  Bemn^ 
a  pinnacle,  or  mountain  of  the  firft  magnitude,  rifing  in  the 
midil  of  a  chain  of  high  lands,  and  ending  in  a  (harp,  abrupt 
precipice.  Of  the  firft  fpecies,  which  fome  authors  have  com- 
pared to  eggs  fet  in  fait,  is  the  Round  Hill  in  this  parifli,  formerly 
called  by  the  Spaniards  Pan  de  Botillo^  about  nine  miles  Weft  from 
Carlifle,  and  two  North  from  the  fea.  One  of  the  like  kind,  re- 
fembling  a  fugar-loaf  in  its  (hape,  ftands  near  the  (hore  in  St* 
Pavid's,  There  are  likewife  feveral  in  Clarendon,  and  other 
parifties. 

Off  the  coaft  there  is  a  good  fifliery ;  and  fome  marine  animals, 
extremely  curious  and  remarkable,  have  been  hauled  aftiore  here 
by  the  Negroes  in  their  feines.  Among  the  reft,  a  few  years  ago, 
a  ^krra  Marina^  or  fea-unicorn,  was  caught  entangled  in  a  net  at 
the  mouth  of  Swift  River,  and  required  fix  ftout  Negroes  to  drag 
it  out  of  the  water.  It  meafured,  from  the  point  of  the  fword  to 
the  tip  of  the  tail,  upwards  of  fourteen  feet,  and  weighed 
near  fourteen  hundred  pounds.  Seventeen  eggs,  about  the  fize  of  a 
roan's  fift,  were  taken  out  of  the  belly;  and,  foon  after  it  was 
brought  upon  the  land,  it  difgorged  fix  young  ones,  of  two  feet 
length  each,  one  of  which,  being  put  into  the  fea,  fwam  imme- 
diately away.     From  the  liver  were  extra;6led  about  tivclve  gallons 

"    ■   •       •  ■  •      ■   •' "of 


BOOK     II.      CHAP.     VII.  73 

of  oil;  and  much  more  might  have  been  obtained.  The  flefli  was 
cut  up  into  laj^e  pieces,  and  afforded  a  delicious  repaft  to  the  Ne- 
groes that  were  employed  in  the  capture. 

The  lower  diflrift  of  this  parifh,  called  Withywood,  took  its 
name  from  its  having  been  formerly  overfpread  with  wood  and 
withes  when  the  Englifli  firft  fettled  upon  it,  and  which  grew  lb 
thick,  that  it  was  impofliblc  to  walk  among  them  without  a  cut- 
lafsto  clear  the  way.  This  is  the  part,  which,  on  account  of  its 
rich  foil,  was  afterwards  filled  with  indigo  and  fugar-works,  the 
opulence  of  whofe  owners  is  fpoken  of  by  feveral  writers ;  and 
though  it  has  been  called  in  queftion  by  feme,  yet  it  is  very  certain, 
that  more  carriages  of  pleafure  were  at  one  time  kept  here,  than 
in  all  the  reft  of  the  illand,  Spanifti  Town  only  excepted.  It  is, 
indeed,  almoft  incredible  to  think  what  vaft  fortunes  were  made 
here  by  cultivation  of  this  fingle  commodity.  When  the  a£t  of  par- 
liament was  pafled  with  an  intent  to  recover  this  branch  of  trade, 
the  very  art  of  making  it  was  loft ;  few  or  no  perfons  were  then 
living  in  this  part  who  were  able  to  give  inftrudioixs,  and  ftill 
fewer  left  to  receive  and  follow  them  if  any  could  have  been  given. 
The  modern  fettlers  had  converted  their  lands  into  pafture,  or  the 
railing  of  cotton  and  corn;  and  could  not  be  perfuaded  to  give  up 
a  little  certainty  for  a  much  greater  probable  advantage,  where  the 
inftability  of  flate-maxims  threatened  fuch  a  rifque  to  the  ex- 
perimentors.  The  new  law,  which  was  merely  temporary,  in- 
ftcad  of  impofing  a  heavy  tax,  as  the  former  law  had  done,  al- 
lowed a  fmall  debenture  in  favour  of  every  pound  weight  of  in- 
digo, the  growth  and  manufafture  of  the  Britifti  iflands  imported 
into  England ;  yet  it  availed  here  but  very  little.  None  in  this 
parifh  attempted  to  revive  the  culture  of  it.  Three  or  four  took 
it  up  in  other  parts  of  the  ifland;  and  probably,  if  the  law  had 
been  renewed  after  its  expiration,  with  fome  additional  bounty,  it 
might  have  encouraged  many  more  to  try  the  effedts  of  it. 

For  cattle  and  ftock  of  all  forts,  particularly  horfes  and  fheep, 
no  parifti  in  the  ifland  excels  this,  either  in  number  or  quality. 
The  foil,  except  Main  Savannah,  which  is  a  gravelly  traft,  and 
rather  fterilc  in  dry  years,  is  of  a  fine  brick-mould,  and.  were  it 
not  for  the  want  of  regular  fliowers,  it  would  be  one  of  the  moft 
Vol.  IL  L  j)rodu6live 


^4  JAMAICA. 

produftive  fpots  in  the  Weft-Indies.  From  the  fummits  and  (ides 
of  the  hill3,  which  almoft  furround  and  overlook  it,  the  appear- 
ance of  it  is  inexpreffibly  delightful,  and  refenahling,  much  fbme 
of  the  richeft  plains  of  England.  The  Round  Hill  before-noticed 
adds  greatly  to  the  elegance  of  the  profpeft ;  and  h  is  enlivened 
every  where  with  herds^  flocks,  fijgar-mills,.  and  other  pleafiug 
objedls* 

State  of  this  Pariffi : 

Annaal  Produce  of  Sugar. 
Negroes*  Cktilcb  Sugar-woik*.        |   Hogfheads.  [    0(ha:.  Settlements^ 

»734>    35^^        7194 

^74o>    537^        858Q 

1745^    5423    887a 

1761,    5663 

1768,.        5940        7462  19  I     2100    I  131 

This  parifh  appears  to  be  on  the  decline  in  the  article  of  cattle,  of 

which  it  contains  fourteen  hundred  lefs  than  in  the  year  1745  t 

which  has  been  owing  to  the  laying  wafte  fome  capital  breeding 

penns,  aaid  the  convcrfion  of  others  into,  fugar-plantations,. 


SECT,    vnr. 


St.        MAR    Y. 


THIS  pariih  is  bounded  on  theEaft  by  St.  George;  Weft,  by  St^ 
Anne ;  South,  by  St.  Thomas^  in  the  Vale,  and  part  of  St*  Andrew  f 
and  North,  by  that  frith  of  the  fea  which  feparates  Cuba  from  this 
ifland.  It  is  watered  with  twenty-four  rivers,  befides  fmaller 
ftrcams ;  the  principal  of  which  are  the  Sambre,  the  Nuevo,  Bag- 
nal's  Waters,  and  Port  Maria,.  Eafteramoft  and  Wefternmoft, 
Nearly  the  whole  of  this  pari(h  is  compofcd  of  hill,  mountain^ 
dale,  and  valley.  The  coaft  differs  greatly  from  that  of  the  South 
fide,  being  for  the  moft  part  iron-bound,  or  protecSed  againft  the 
fury  of  tlie  North  winds  and  furges  of  the  fea  with  a  wall  of  rocksi 
The  foil  too  is  different,  being  in  general  a  ftiff  clay  on  the  higher  j 
grounds,  and  a  conHderable  depth  of  rich,  black,  vegetable  mould 
in  the  lower.  The  foil  is  univerfally  fertile  ;  the  hills  and  moun- 
tains 


BOOK   n.     cFiAP^  vn.  ys 

tains  cloathed  with  noble  woods,  full  of  the  fineft  and  largeft  tim- 
ber-trees ;  and  every  fpot  adapted  to  cultivation  of  almoft  every 
kind,  except  that  the  fummits  of  Ibme  are  thought  too  bleak  and 
chilly  for  the  fugar-cane :  this  is  therefore  chiefly  confined  to  the 
Tallies,  and  warmer  flopes  of  the  hills.  The  water  is  equal  to 
any  in  the  world  for  purity  and  wholefomenefs  ;  and  the  air  is  in 
general  extremely  healthful,  and  agreeable  to  European  conftitu* 
tions.  About  Orange  River,  and  fome  other  parts  of  this  parifli, 
the  quarry-ftones  lie  in  layers,  and  are  dug  out  in  regular  fquares, 
of  pretty  even  thicknefs,  fo  as  to  anfwer  the  mafon's  purpofe  with 
very  little  trouble.  They  are  of  a  light-brown,  and  yield  to  the 
acid*  The  chief  ports  are  Anotto  Bay,  Port  Maria,  Auracabeffa, 
Saltgut,  and  Rio  Nuevoj  which  are  good  anchoring*places,  though 
no  fecurity  to  (hips  in  time  of  a  hurricane,  as  they  are  all  expofed 
to  the  North. 

Port  Maria  is  famous  for  having  given,  as  it  is  fuppofed,  an 
afylum  to  Columbus,  when  his  (hip  was  near  foundering  with  a 
leak  ;  and  Ibmewhere  hereabouts  authors  have  placed  the  town  of 
Melilla,  the  firft  which  the  Spaniards  founded.  Rio  Nuevo  is 
likewife  remarkable  for  the  decifive  victory  gained  there  by  general 
D'Oyley  over  the  Spaniards;  which  confirmed  the  Engli(h  in 
pofieflion  of  this  ifland.  The  weather  in  this  pari(h  is  extremely 
wet  during  great  part  of  the  year,  and  fo  cold,  that  few  if  any  of 
the  houfes  are  unfurniflied  with  a  chimney.  Its  chief  productions 
are  fugar  and  rum,  a  little  indigo,  coffee,  tobacco,  and  corn. 
The  land  in  general  from  its  richnefs  bears  too  luxuriant  a  cane : 
1  have  feen  fome  here  of  enormous  fize  and  length ;  but  fuch  are 
nnfit  for  making  fugar,  and  arc  only  ground  for  the  ftill-hou(e. 
The  great  plenty  of  water  and  provifions  are  extremely  favourable 
to  the  breeding  of  hogs,  of  which  there  is  great  abundance;  but 
(heep  and  poultry  do  not  thrive  here  fo  well,  owing  to  the  rank- 
nefs  of  the  pafturage,  and  moifture  of  the  atmofphere.  This  pari(h, 
having  been  frequently  difturbed  with  infurredions  of  the  Negroc 
flaves  belonging  to  it,  has  four  barracks,  at  two  of  which  there  is 
ufually  a  fmall  cantonment  of  foldiers. 

Fort  Haldane,  at  Port  Maria,  ftands  on  an  eminence   command- 
ing the  entrance  of  the  harbour,  and  is  capable  of  making  a  good 

L  2  defeace« 


76  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

defence.  The  barracks  are  large  enough  to  receive  fixty  njen. 
The  quarters  here  have  not  proved  healthy  to  the  troops  ;  but  the 
reafon,  as  I  have  been  informed,  is,  that  the  men  were  fed  too 
conftantly  on  fait  provifioivs,  which  fometimes  were  of  bad  quality. 

Auracabefla  has  a  battery,  and  barracks  likewife  for  fixty  men. 
The  other  barracks  are,  one  on  the  Weft  fide  of  Anotto  Bay,  at  a 
place  called  Jack*s  Bay ;  and  one  at  Bagnals,  near  the  Decoy. 

The  hamlets  at  RioNucvo,  Port-Maria,  and  Saltgut,  have  from 
eight  to  twelve  houfes  each,  inhabited  principally  by  wharfingers, 
ftore  and  (hop-keepers.  One  of  the  greateft  curiofities  in  this  pa- 
rifli  is  the  Decoy,  the  feat  of  Sir  Charles  Price,  bait.  It  is  li^. 
tuated  on  part  of  the  range  of  mountains  which  border  on  St.  Tho- 
mas in  the  Vale.  The  houfe  is  of  wood,  but  well  finiflied,  and 
has  in  front  a  very  fine  piece  of  water,  which  in  winter  is  com- 
monly ftocked  with  wild-duck  and  teal.  Behind  it  is  a  very  ele- 
gant garden  difpofed  in  walks,  which  are  (haded  with  the  cocoa- 
nut,  cabbage,  and  fand-box  trees.  The  flower  and  kitchen-garden 
are  filled  with  the  moft  beautiful  and  ufeful  variety  which  Kurope, 
or  this  climate,  produces.  It  is  decorated,  befides,  with  f6me 
pretty  buildings ;  of  which  the  principal  is  an  octagonal  faloon, 
richly  ornamented  on  the  infide  with  luftres^  and  mirrors  empati- 
neled.  At  the  termination  of  another  walk  is  a  grand  triumphal 
arch,  from  which  the  profpefl  extends  over  the  fine  cultivated  vale 
of  Bgnals  quite  to  the  Northfide  Sea.  Clumps  of  graceful  cab- 
bage-trees are  difperfed  in  difl^erent  parts,  to  enliven  the  fcene;  and 
thoufands  of  plantane  and  other  fruit-trees  occupy  a  vaft  tra£l,  that 
environs  this  agreeable  retreat,  not  many  years  ago  a  gloomy 
wildernefs. 

The  late  Sir  Charles  [n]  was  extremely  attached  to  this  place, 
and  fpent  much  of  his  time  here,  making  it  the  abode  of  chcar* 

fulnefs 

'[«]  This  gentleman  was  a  native  of  Jamaica,  and  endued  wkh  uncommon  natural  talents, 
wliieh  were  improved  by  education,  and  jwliihed  by  travel  in  the  early  part  of  his  life*  On  his 
return  to  thif  ifland,  his  opulent  fortune  only  ferved  to  make  his  abilities  more  confpicuous,  and 
more  ufeful  to  the  community.  Thefe  eventually  gave  him  the  lead  in  public  affairs.  With  an 
honeft  loyalty  to  his  (bvereign,  which  none  could  furpafs,  he  poHefled  a  truly  patriotic  attachment 
(or  his  country ;  and*  though  ever  rea^dy  to  aflifl  and  facilitate  adminiAration,  while  condu(5ted  on 
th<;  great  principle  of  public  good,  he  was  always  the  fleady,  perfevering,  and  intrepid  opponent 
to  illegal  and  pernicious  meafures  of  governors.   If  it  were  at  ail  neceflkry  to  produce  tefbimonials 

in 


N. 


fiOOK     II.     CHAP.     VII.  ^^ 

fulQefs  and  hofpitality:  to  thefe,  the  delightful  air  breathed  here, 
and  the  amiable  qualities  of  the  owner  of  this  paradife,  mutually 
contributed.  This,  which  I  may  juftly  call  the  temple  of  focial 
enjoy  roeuts,  was  couftantly  open  to  the  reception  of  worthy  men, 
whether  of  the  ifland,  or  ftrangers :  and  few  gentlemen  of  rank, 
whether  af  the  army  or  navy,  on  fervice  here,  quitted  the  ifland 
without  having  pafled  feme  of  their  time  at  the  Decoy.  Among 
thefe  was  the  unfortunate  Mr.  B — ^fc--n,  a  young  officer  in  the 
£}uadron,  of  the  moft  'promifing  abilities,  and  liberal  accomplifh- 
ments;  who,  being  on  a  vifit  in  the  year  1769,  went  early  one 
morning  to  bathe  in  the  canal,  and  perilhed  before  affiftance  could 
be  given  him.  This  fad  accident  was  incxpreffibly  affliding  to  Sir 
Charles,  and  left  fo  ftrong  an  impreffion  upon  his  mind^  that,  be^ 
fort  his  own  deCeafe,  he  gave  particular  direftions  to  inter  his  body 
clofe  by  his  friend  Mr*  B — ^fc — n.  The  mountain  on  which  the 
Decoy  is  iituated  is  a  great  height  above  the  level  of  the  Tea,  by 
ibme  fuppofed"  at  leaft  half  a  mile  perpendicular.  Upon  diggvng- 
into  fi  mark  pit  h^re,  was  difcovered  a  vaft  quantity  of  petrifac- 
tions, rcfembling  the  large  conchites  or  cotkles,  or- rather  perhaps 
the  efcallop  kind,  the  edges  being  denticulated,  but  the  outfide 
without  any  vifible  remains  of  furrows,  if  they  ever  had  any.  I 
examined  feveral,  but  could  not  perceive  the  fmalleft  veftige  of  a 
teftaceous  covering.  They  were  pei^fedtly  folid  raafles,  hard  as 
ftone,  and  compofed  of  very  minute  particles  cemented  together. 
It  would  be  difficult  to  prove,  that  mere  inert  matter  (hould  fpon- 
taneoufly'afl'ume  thefe  regular  forms,  and  apt  imitations  of  marine 

in  juilificatloii  of  this  chara6ler,  I  might  refer  to  the  very  honourable  marks  of  approbation  which 
were  fo  dcfenredly  conferred  upon  him,  both  by  the  crcnrn,  and  the  different  afferablies  in  w'hich 
he  ppefidcd^  for  fo  many  yease,  as  fpealber,  wkh  an  imf^rity;  candour,  and  dignity,  that  were  aimoft 
UASsaBipled.  In  private  life,  bis  complacency  of  nranneis^  accompli ilved  knowledge  of  books  an4 
men,  and  delicacy  of  humour,  rendered  him  the  polite,  inftru(^ive,  and  entertaining  companion: 
here  he  (hone  the  iuftexiblc  lover  of  truth,  the  firm  friend,  and  the  generous  patron.  His  mind 
waa  amply  flored  wUb  die  treafiiceB.  of  liberal  ^rpdigpn.  B.^t  theology  fcemed  his  favourite  fci- 
ence;  and  the  Great  Author  of  nature,  the  chief  obje£t  of  his  iludy.  Though  qualified  in  all 
rdpe^b  to  have  made  a  refpe^lable  figure  on  a  more  cxtenfive  theatre,  he  preferred  a  i*cfidence  hi 
tins  iQztA;  whidb  as  he  enriched  and  embellrihcd  by  ihediffufioti  if  his  incofne,  and  tafte-  for 
iq(ifniv«|9cnt8».  f<»  he  benei>(sd\by  aa  ickeflant  attrnnon  to  its  wolf^ret  Jamaic!|  loll:  one  of  it^  beil 
focodSf  when  he  breathed  his  lait^  which  happened  in  Jiw^,.  ITJZy  after  he  had  attained  to  a  good 
old  age.  I. (hall  only  add,  that  few  men  in  any  couhiry  have .attrai^ed  more  general  veneration 
while  living,  or  more  gcntnal  regret  wten-dead,  ' 

2  fliells. 


7«  JAMAICA. 

(hells.  But  It  is  almoft  as  difficult  to  ^ifcovcr,  by  what  means  they 
were  brought  into  a  fituation  at  that  height  above  the  fca,  and  at 
fuch  a  diftance  from  it.  Nature  is  faid  to  have  done  nothing  iu 
vain ;  but  an  original  creation  of  fuch  whimfical  refemblances 
could  anfwer  no  wife  purpole.  This  globe  carries  every  prefumptive 
evidence  of  having  undergone  very  extraordinary  changes,  and  par- 
ticularly by  earthquakes ;  and,  as  we  cannot  tell  by  what  imper- 
ceptible paflages  the  water  of  the  ocean  inay  permeate  even  below 
the  bafe  of  iflands ;  fo  we  cannot  pofitively  deny,  but  it  may  force 
its  way  to  a  very  confiderable  elevation,  in  confequence  of  violent 
eruptions,  which  attend  tbefe  commotions  of  the  earth ;  carrying 
with  it  ftiells  and  fand,  and  perhaps  leaving  mafles  of  fait  depofited 
as  it  recedes,  which  may  afterwards  impregnate  rivers,  as  we  find 
in  fome  parts  of  xhc  South  fide  of  Jamaica.  Dodlor  Brookes  fpeaks 
rationally  oh  tWs  fubjeft :  *<  We  cannot,"  fays  he,  «*  determine 
«*  whether  there  has  ever  been  an  univerfal  earthquake  or  not, 
**  which  has  changed  the  primitive  form  of  our  world.  However, 
-«<  this  is  certain,  that  a  great  many  fubftances,  which  feem  to  have 
"  been  proper  only  to  the  fea,  are  now  found  in  the  bowels  of  the 
^*  earth ;  and  which  have  perhaps  been  petrified  by  degrees,  by  the 
^'  infinuation  of  water,  falts,  and  exceeding  imall  cryftalline  or 
"  ftony  particles,  proper  to  fill  up  their  pores,  without  alteration 
«  of  their  fliape.  To  this  all  the  produ<Sions  which  fbme  have 
«  looked  upon  as  iujhs  nature ^  or  fports  of  nature,  are  evidently 
**  owing.  Befides  the  bones  of  crocodiles,  the  ikeletons  of  fea- 
^'  horfcs,  the  entire  bodies  of  petrified  fifli,  there  are  almoft  every 
^'  where  found  fea- (hells  of  all  kinds,  and  all  forts  of  the  parts  of 
"  fea-animals,  converted  into  ftone;  fbme  very  wonderful,  with 
^^  regard  to  their  fituation  ;  and  others,  with  regard  to  the  oddnefs 
«  of  their  (hapes.^'  The  petrifadions  found  at  the  Decoy  feem  to 
xrome  neareft  in  fimilitude  to  Sir  Hans  Sloane^s  PeSten  yamacienfis 
ftriis  kvibus,  Vol.  11.  foL  256.  N*'  L  which  is  frequent  on  the 
Ihores  of  the  ifland. 

As  the  fettlement  ^f  this  parifli  was  not  entered  upon  heartily 
until  about  the  year  1736,  it  may  ftill  be  deemed  in  its  infancy, 
and  will  no  doubt  invite  new  planters  by  degrees,  as  its  wood-Iand 
comes  to  be  cleared  ;  for  atpreient  not  one* fourth  of  it  is  brought 

into 


BOOK    ir.      CHAR     VH.  79 

Into  cultivation.  In  the  South^eaft  angle  of  it  is  a  Negroc  town, 
called  Scot's  Hall,  inhabited  by  a  party  of  the  Maroons,  who  came 
ia  up6n  terms. 

On  the  road  pafling  from  Guy's  Hill  to  the  Decoy  ifr  a  quarry  of 
black  marble^  with  white  veins.  The  rock  appears  confiderably 
above  the  level  of  the  road  in  large  maffes.  It  has  never  yet  been. 
worked,  as  it  would  probably  anfwer  little  other  purpofe  in  this^ 
country,  except  for  making  lime,  or  flabs  for  dining-apartments. 
The  diftance  from  the  fea  renders  the  carriage  difficult  and  too  ex- 
penfive  at  prefent ;  but  in  time  perhaps,  when  the  roads  are  more 
improved,  and  this  part  of  the  ifland  more  populous,  it  may  anfwer 
for  exportation,,  either  ta  Europe  or  North- America.. 

The  State  of  St.  Mary  :. 

Annual  Produce. 
Negroes^         Catde..  Sugar-works..       (Hog^eads.  |    Other.  Settlementt.. 

'734>        ^938        ^'8^ 
1740,        4484        297^ 

1745*        5^31        3304 
1761,        9318 

1768,       1 2159        7996  49  I    SS^o    I  56 

This'  parifli  is  evidently  improving  faft*  And  wc  may  venture  to 
foretetl,  that  the  North  fide,  though  labouring  under  the  misfor- 
tune of  being  the  laft-fettled,  wiH  in.  time  become  the  moft  po* 
pulous,  as  it  is  naturally  the  healthieft  divifioa  of  the  illand.  The 
foil,  by  reafoii  of  its  exceeding  richnefs,  does  not  make  immediate 
gcfod  returns  in  fugar;  but  the  proportion  of  rum  is  far  greater 
than  on  the  South  fide;  and  the  excellence  of  the  land  afliires  a 
permanent,,  and  perhaps  inexhauilible,  fertility. 


SECT.    IX.. 


St.       ANN    E. 


THE   parifh  of  St.  Anne  is  bounded  on  the  Eaft  by  St.  Mary  ;•  * 
on  the  Weft,  by  St*  James;  South,  by  Clarendon  and  St.  Thomas 
m  the  Vale  j  and  North,,  by  the  fea.     It  is  watered  with  twelve 

rivers. 


8o  JAMAICA. 

rivrers,  the  principal  of  which  are  Rio  Rueno,  St.  Anne's  Great- 
River,  Roaring  and  White  Rivers.  Its  ports  are  St.  Anne's  Bay, 
Dry  Harbour  [o],  Rio  Bueno,  Ocho  Rios,  and  Runaway  Bay. 
At  the  former  of  thefe  was  the  town  of  Se villa  Nueva.  The  bay 
of  St.  Anne  is  defended  by  a  reef  of  rocks,  which  ftretches  alntoft 
acrofs  its  entrance,  leaving  only  one  fmalF  channel  for  the  (hips  to 
go  in  or  out.  This  barrier  fo  effeftually  breaks 'the  furge  of  the  fea, 
that  the  bafon  in  which  the  (hips  lie  at  anchor  is  at  all  times  per- 
fcGdy  fmooth :  it  is  likewife  flieltered  by  two  points  of  land,  pro- 
je<Sling  on  each  fide  the  bay  like  the  horns  of  a  crefcent.  The 
drift  of  the  Waves  being  towards  the  Weftward,  they  forol  a  cur- 
rent over  the  breakers  which  are  lowefl:  on  that  fide  of  the  bay. 
This  current  fweeps  through  the  harbiour  with  a  direftion  towards 
the  (hip-channel,  which  is  on  the  Eaftcrn  fide;  whence  it  happens, 
that,  when  the  fea-breeze  blows,  which  gives  the  water  this  di- 
rection,   the   veffels  at  anchor  here  ride  with   their  fterns  t5  the 

wind. 

The  harbour  is  deep,  infomuch  that  the  largeft  fliips  that  load 
here  with  fugars,  lay  their  broad-fide  clofe  to  the*  wharf,  which 
is  not  many  feet  in  length.  It  is  defended  by  a  battery  of  tvvelve 
embrazures ;  and  at  a  fniall  diflance  are  the  barracks,  elegantly 
built,  in  which  a  company  of  regulars  are  ftationed.  The  town  of 
St.  Anne  confifts  of  about  thirty  or  forty  houfes,  ftraggling  along 
the  beach,  and  chiefly  inhabited  by  (hop-keepers.  On  the  Wefl 
fide  of  the  bay  is  the  pari(h -church,  a  very  hand(bme  building. 
The  harbour  has  fbmewhat  the  appearance  of  the  letter  E  ca- 
pital, placed  horizontally  thus  C/-v*>J>  the  coaft  projefting  into  the 
centre  of  it,  and  making  a  femi-circular  fweep  on  each  fide.  Se- 
villa  Nueva  was  built  upon  an  ea(y  eminence,  rifing  from  this  cen- 
tre. The  fituation  is  extremely  delightful.  By  the  projedion  of 
the  land,  it  commands  a  very  fine  and  extenfive  view  of  the  country 
^  for  many  miles  to  the  Eafl:-  and  Weft,  bounded  by  diftant  moun- 

[fl]  This  place  has  lately  commenced  a  trading  port,  and  fome  houfes  are  created  at  it  as  the 
exordia  of  a  future  town.  This  will  probably  fuccced,  in  confequence  of  a  road  now  formiog 
from  it  to  Cave  River,  in  Clarendon,  the  diiiance  twenty  miles,  about  fourteen  of  which  extend 
over  a  woody,  uncultivated  didrid.  The  road,  when  compleated,  will  doubtlefs  contribute  to  the 
fpeedy  fettlement  of  this  tra6l  of  country,  and  has  the  peculiar  merit  of  opening  a  commujucatieii 
through  thefe  almoft  unoccupied  parts,  without  crofling  one  river. 

tains. 


BOOK    IL      CHAP.      VII.  ^ 

tain^,  and  having  the  bay,  buildii>g8,  ihipping^  and  fea  in  frattt; 
From  heiice,  as  well  as  other,  elevated  Ipots  on  the  North  fidti, 
fbmc  of  the  high  lands  in  Cuba,  called  the  Copper  Mountaixia^ 
are  frequently  difcerned  at  one  hundred  rhilcs  diftance  in  the 
months  of  October  and  November,  and  during  fbme  of  the  fuc^ 
ceeding  months.  They  appear  of  an  azure  caft  to  the  eye,  like  the 
Blue  Mountains ;  and  the  fight  of  them  is  efteemed  a  certain  prog*- 
noftic  of  approaching  North  winds,  which  ufually  {el  in  about  that 
time  of  the  year.  Several  rivulets  fall  into  this  bay ;  and  clofe  ad- 
joining to  the  fpot  where  Seville  once  flood  is  a  fine  quarry  of  white 
free-ftone,  which  is  foft  when  firft  dug  up,  but  hardens  after  cx^ 
pofure  to  the  air.  A  place  could  not  h^ve  been  more  happily  fc- 
leftcd  than  this  by  the  Spaniards  for  building  a  town^  ftere  w» 
plenty  of  excellent  mateirials  for  aiKrhite^Ure,  abtandance  of  good 
water,  a  fertile  foil  in  the  neighbourhood,  the  woods  filled  with 
the  greateft  variety  of  large  and  valuable  timber-trees^  the  fea 
«rd  rivers  ftored  with  innumerable  fi(h,^  a  fafe  and  fpacious  port, 
and  the  diftance  not  remote  from  their  ifland  AfXubju  With  all 
thcfe  advantages  of  fituition  and  4  ^ne-  air  they  abandoned  it,  be-» 
caufe  the ' Southfidfc  ports  wert  raor^  cbnvenient  for  .the  gallep^s 
and  other  tranfient  veffels  paffing  between  St.  Domingo  and  Car-^ 
thogena ;  and  their  traffic  was  chiefly  confined  to  the  fupplyii)g 
thcfe  vifitors  with  prbvifidnfe,  atid  afew<)ther  neceflarie^* 

It  is  tK>t  to  he  doubted^  'b(!t  that  ufider  the  genius  of  Peter 
Martir,  who  #ais  »bb6t  of  the  collegiate  ohii.rch  founded  here^  tbt 
public  buildings  would  have  ri<ea  wkh  kn  degance  xinufual  in  the 
Hew  world.  Several  fragments  of  carved  work  in  flone,  fuch  as 
mouldings,  feftoons,  cherubs,  &c.  arq  flill  to  be  feen  here,  that 
^vvould  'be  thought  no  mean  ornaments  in  an  European  chm'ch4 
The  ruins  of  two  edifices,  one  faid  to  have  been  a  cafUe,  the  othei^ 
dedicated  to  religious  ufe  (probably  the  collegiate^ church) ^  ans  ftili 
remaining;  the  walls  of  whkh  are  ieveral feet  in  thickness,  and 
compafted  with  an  exceedingly  hard  cement.  It  is  the  property  c£ 
the  lime  made  from  the  fliell-marble,  fo  common  in  this  iflapd,  to 
contraiSt  with  dge  all  thedoffenefs  and  folidity  oif  ftone;  aad  I  ha^s 
feen  fome  plaifter  taken  froth  an  old  Spanifli  tanfk,  of  ciftera,  which 
could' fcarcely  be  broken  with  an  hammer.  The  battery  which  dc* 
Vol.  IL  M  fends 


«a  JAMAICA. 

fends  the  port  is  conftruftcd  with  materials  taken  from  thefc  vc* 
jierable  fabrics,  and  ilands  in  the  place  of  an  ecclefiaftical  fanc- 
tuary.  The  poffcffion  of  this  city  fell  to  the  (hare  of  captain  Ho- 
ming, an  officer  in  the  Olivcrian  army  fent  hither ;  and  his  pofr 
terity  ftill  enjoy  it. 

The  caftle  and  church,  being  almoft  half  a  mile  afunder,  may 
give  us  fome  idea  of  the  intended  extent  and  grandeur  of  this  places 
but,  the  old  walls  before- mentioned  being  every  day  diminiihed^ 
for  the  fake  of  the  materials  which  are  ufed  in  repairing  the  build- 
ings on  the  cftatc,  it  is  probable  that  in  a  few  years  more  there  will 
be  fcarcely  any  veftige  left  of  this  celebrated  city.  But  the  ground 
about  the  church  being  fuppofed  confecrated,  is  ftill  prderved  as  a 
burial  place.  As  for  the  ruins  of  the  caftle,  they  are  not  only 
leveled  to,  but  confiderably  funk  below,  the  prefent  furface  of  the 
earth.  In  the  year  1 764  were  dug  up  two  pilafters  of  about  fevea 
feet  length,  of  no  particular  order,  but  Ibmewhat  refembling  the 
Ionic.  They  appeared  to  have  belonged  to  the  portal,  or  veftibule, 
of  fome  large  buildings  as  there  were  alfo  feveral  concave  '^oncp 
-proper  for  an  arched  roof..  Upon  thefe  pilafte[r8  were  fotpe  rudp 
carvings  in' aha  relievo.  Four  or  five  coarfe  imager  w^re  like^^jii^ 
found ;  one  of  which  refembled  a  fphynx ;  another,  au  alligator.; 
and  the  reft  were  creatures  of  the  mafon*s  fancy.  The  manftoor 
houfe  on  this  efiate  ilands  00  the  fum^iit  of  a  rifing  Lawn,  iiearly 
equidiftant  from  jdie  iea ,  and  the  mountaiiijs ;,  a  fituatioii;  which 
'ttnkes  it  both  healthy :  aud  agreeable*  *  3iefore  the^^fropt  pf  it  is^ 
battery  of  eighteen  ftoall  gun^  entarhette;  whif:!^  i$:i^t^ded  as 
a  prote<fl:ion  to  the.eftatjb,  and' to  the  harbour  itfejf  in  war-timis 
againft  privateers.  The  garden  on  the  Eaft  fide  pf ,  the  houfe  Is 
prettily  laid  out. i  and  decorated  with  a  fton^-temple, ;  ^leg^ntly  ^^ 
figned  ihtbefmjodern  tafte^  •  . 

The  Spauiih:  }hab}tat]oi}s  have  long  ago  be^i  dem^lifhed^  ai|^ 
the  gii^ouiid  wheifeo^  they  ftpod  conveirted  into  cane-fields;  but,  in 
turning  up  th6;  fpil  for  planting,  the  old  rubbifti  continually  make^ 
its  appearance^  and.  contributes  to  render  it  lefs. fertile;  The  ruiivs 
'were  more  perfect  ia  Sir  Hans  Sloan*s  time,  who  yiiited  them  in 
UA  84  and  has  kft  V3  %\gi  fpUowing.  agcoun t :. 

^Thp 


•  k        • 


BOOK    H.      CHAP.      VH.  83^ 

•*  The  church  wa«  not  finished.  It.was  twenty  pacc|  hToa4f  mi. 
thirty  long-  There  were  two  rows  of  pillars  within;  and  over 
the  place  where  the  altar  was  intended  were  fome  carvings  under 
the  ends  of  the  arches.  Th^  houfes  and  founda^tions  ftand  for  (c- 
veral  miles  along  (thefe  were  probably  the  houfes  of  detached  fet- 
tlements,  not  of  the  ftreets).  Captain  Heming  faid,  he  Ibmc^ 
times  found  pavements  under  his  canes  three  feet  covered  v^ith  earth* 
ieveral  wells,  and  burial -ftones  finely  cut.  There  are  the  be- 
ginnings of  a  great  houfe  called  a  monaftery;  but  I  fuppofe  the 
houfe  was  dcfigned  for  the  governor.  There  were  two  coats  of 
arms  lay  by,:  not  fet  up;  a  ducal  one;  and  that  of  a  count;  be- 
longing I  fuppofe  to  the  family  of  Columbus,  proprietors  of  the 
ifiand.  There  had  been  raifed  a  tower,  part  brick,  part  hewn 
(lone,  as  alfo  feveral  battlements  on  it ;  and  other  lower  buildings 
unfiniihed.  At  the  church  lie  feveral  arched  ftones,  to  compleat 
it;  which  had  never  been  put  up»  but  are  lodged  among  the  canes. 
The  rows  of  pillars  within  were  for  the  moft  part  unornamented^ 
It  was  thought,  that  in  the  time  of  the  Spaniards  the  Europeans 
had  been  cut  off  by  the  Indians ;  and  Co  the  church  left  uncom« 
pleated.  When  the  Englifh  took  the  ifland,  the  ruins  of  this  city 
were  fo  overgrown  with  wood,  that  they  were  all  turned  black. 
Nay,  I  faw  a  mammee,  or  baftard  mammee-tree,  growing  withia 
the  walls  of  the  tower,  fo  high  as  that  it  muft  have  been  a  very 
large  gun  to  kill  a  bird  on  the  top  of  it ;  and  the  trunks  of  many 
of  the  trees^  when  felled  from  this  place,  to  make  room  for  the  fu- 
gar-canes,  were  fixty  feet  or  more  in  length.  A  great  many  wells 
are  on  this  ground.  The  Weft  gate  of  the  church  was  of  very  fine 
work,  and  ftands  entire.  It  is  (even  feet  wide,  and  as  high  to  the 
ipring  of  the  arch.  Over  the  door,  in  the  centre,  is  our  Saviour's 
head,  with  a  crown  of  thorns,  between  two  angels ;  on  the  right 
iide,  a  fmall  round  figure  of  fome  faint,  with  a  knife  ftruck  into 
his  head  ;  and  on  the  left,  a  madona,  her  arm  tied  in  three  places 
after  the  Spanifli  falhion.  Over  the  gate,  .and  beneath  a  coat  of 
arms,  was  this  infcription : 

M  Z  r£TKV6« 


U  JAMAICA. 

fEtBfVS.  MilRTIR*  AB*  ANGLERIA,  ITALVS.  CIVIS.  MEDIOLANEN. 
FROTHON,  APOS.  HVJV8.  INSVLE.  ABBAS.  SENATVS.  INDICI, 
CONSILIARIVS.  LIGNEAM.  fKIUS.  JBDEM.  HANC.  BIS.  IGNE. 
CONSVMPTAM,  LATERICIO.  ET.  QVADRATO.  LAPIDE.  PRIMV3. 
A.  FVNDAMENTJS.  EXTRVXIT  [/]. 

Thcfe  word^  are  entire,  except  Mediolanenjis^  which  I  have  fupplied 
(fays  Sir  Hans),  becaufe  this  Peter  Martir,  a  famous  man,  wrote 
himfelf  "  of  Milan/*  He  was  author  of  the  Decads,  Epiftles,  and 
fome  other  books ;  which  gave  him  great  reputation  in  the  world.** 

There  is  at  this  time  in  St.  Domingo,  as  I  am  credibly  informed^ 
a  Spanifh  lady^  of  an  old  family,  who  takes  her  title  from  this 
place,  by  the  ftile  of  Countefs  de  Sevilla  Nueva,  in  Jamaica. 

The  hamlets  at  Laughlands  and  Runaway  Bay  are  too  infignifi- 
cant  to  merit  defcription.  .  At  the  former  a  chapel  of  eafe  was 
crefted  fome  years  3go  ;  but  it  is  at  prefent  in  a  ruinous  condition, 
ajid  is  only  ufed  for  holding  eledlioas  for  theparifhircprefentatives^ 
Between  this  and  the  Bay  is  Richmond,  belonging  to  Mr.  P — ^Ic. 
This  eftate  is  graced  with  a  very  elegant  manfion,  confifting  of 
two  ilories.  It  is  fur  rounded  with  a  fpacious  piazza,  iiipported  by 
columns  of  the  Ionic  order ;  at  the  four  angles  are  pavilions,  with 
Venetian  windows  correiponding  to  each  other.  The  only  fault 
belonging  to  this  houfe  is  in  point  of  ^nation  ;  for  k  ftands  upon  2t 
dead  flat  5  but,  being  confiderably  raifed  from  the  foundation,  it  is. 
dry  and  healthy.  Adjoining  is  a  pleafent  lawn,  or  paddock,  fencred 
with  Chinefe  railing,,  Ikirted  with  a  gravel- walk,  and  ornamented 
with  rows  of  cocoa -trees..  Tiie  great  road  to  St^  James  r&ns  pa* 
rallel  to  the  North  front,  at  the  difVance  of  about  two  hundred 
yards :  the  paflage  from  hence  to  the  houfe  leads  through  a  pair  df 
handfome  gates  along  a  fpacious  gravel-walk.  Immediately  acrof^ 
the  road,  and  oppofite  to  the  fame  front,  is  a  large  pleafuxe-garden^ 
meatly  laid  out  ia  walks,  and  (locked  with  a  variety  of  flowers  and 
flowering-fhrubs  i  of  which  the  chief  are,,  the  Englifti,  Spanifh,, 
and  Arabian  jafmines ;  balfams,  In^dian  arrow,  capficume,  fun- 
ftowers,    French   marigolds^  jalap  or   fo«r  a'clock,  coffeo-bulhts, 

.{/J;  ferl^BgUih :  *^  Peter  Martir,  of  Anghlcra,  «n  Italian,  citizen  of  Milan,  chief  miilionary, 
^  and  abbot  of  this  ifland,  member  of  the  council  of  the  Indies,  firft  raifed  from  its  foundation^. 
"  with  brick  and  fijuarcd  ftoa%,thij  cdificc^which  fonncrly  was  built  of  woodland  twice  dellroycd 

touth- 


BOOK    11.      CHAP.     Vlf.  8^ 

South-fea   rofe,  Barbadoes  pride,  Jerufalem  thorn,    pomegranate, 
paflion  flower,  phyfic,  nut,  and  many  others.      In  the  centre  is  a 
fountain ;  and  in  another  part  a  large  labyrinth,  inclofed  princip 
pally  with  the  wild  olive,  and  furniflied  with  commodious  feats* 
The  town  of  St.  Anne  carries  on  fome  trade,  chiefly  for  mules  and 
cattle,    with   the   Cuba  Spaniards,  who  run  over  in  one    night's 
time  in  very  fmall  vefl'els,  and  not   feldom  in  open  boats.     This, 
pedling  intercourfe  ha9  been  productive  of  a  very  fignal  mifchief, 
which  has  chiefly  afFe£tcd  this  parifli.     The  Negroes  here,   either 
perceivings  the  facility  of  this  paflage,  or  (which  is  moft  probable) 
inveigled  by  the  flattering  afllirances  of  thefe  ft  rolling  Spanifh  tra- 
ders, who  for  the  greater  part  are  a  thievifh  race,  have  taken  every 
opportunity  to  defert  in  canoes,  and  withdraw  to  Cuba,  in  iiopes  of 
obtaining  their  freedom:  fo  that  feveral  hundreds  have,  within  a 
icw  years  paft,  decamped  from  this  and  other  parts  of  the  North 
fide,  to  the  great  lols  of  the  planters..    Thefe  Spaniards,  upon  many 
occafions^  have  lain  under  fufpicion  of  not  merely  invpigling  thcr 
Blacks  with  fair  fpeechcs,  but  even  taking  them  away  by  force^. 
This,  indeed,  has  been  a  very  old  praftice  of  theirs,  and,  for  wan( 
of  au  authoritative  check,  is  now  become  fo  habitual,  that  they 
i^fe   as  little  ceremony  in  fupplying  themfelves   from  Jamaica  by  • 
thefe  means,  as  the  Portuguezc  and  Hollanders  formerly  ufed  tp*- 
wards  the  natives  of  Goihey.     In  the  year  17 19,  the  then  gover*  ^ 
nor  of  Jamaica  lent  the  captain  of  a  frigate  to  the  alcaldes,  or* 
.chief  officers  of  Trinidado,  a  town  in  Cuba>  demaudiug  reftitution 
of  feveral  Negroes,  piratically  taken  from  the  ifland.     But  the  of* 
ficcrs  returned  for  anfwer,  **  that,  as  to  thofe  and  other'  fugitives,^ 
**  they  were  tliere  as  the  other  fubje£ls  of  their  lord  the.  kingv  and, . 
•*  being  brought  voluntarily   to  their  holy  church,  had  received 
"  the  wat-er  of  baptifm,"     The  concluiion  follows  of  cmicfe  ;  that, 
being   thus   adopted  into  the  Roman  Catholic    faith,  in  virtue  of 
the  mere  ceremonial  of  their  baptifm,  though  without  the  leaft 
knowledge  of  their  new  religion,  or  the  grounds  or  nature  of  their - 
faith,  they  could  not  return,  to  mingle  again  with   heretics,  with- 
out peril  to  their  immortal  fouls.     Such  is   the  pretext  by  which 
thefe   rogues,    utader  the  cobweb  veil  of  their  religion,  detain  the 
property  of  Britifli  fubjeds.     It  will  not- be  difputed^  but  that  the- 

indwAvy 


86  .       JAMAICA- 

indudry  aiid  labour  of  fb  many  ufefal  hands,  transferred  by  this 
fraudulent  mode  of  conveyance  to  a  foreign  ftate,  are  more  than  a 
4ofs  to  thaif  owners  ;  they  are  a  lofs  to  the  whole  BritiQi  commu- 
nity. The  governors  of  Jamaica  have  not  been  wanting  to  lend 
every  affiftance  in  their  power  towards  recovery  of  thele  fugitives, 
or  rather  ftolen  goods,  by  fending  requifitorial  letters  to  the  Si)ani(h 
commanders ;  but  with  fo  little  eflfed,  that  fome  BritiOi  frigates^ 
^which  fince  the  late  peace  were  fcnt  with  thefe  difpatches  to  the 
Havantiah  and  other  Spanifh  ports,  were  (hot  at  from  their  forts, 
and  ordered  to  depart  without  coming  to  an  anchor*  Our  flag  was 
infulted,  but  no  redrefs  given.  Expoftulations  on  this  head  have 
been  made,  as  I  have  heard,  to  as  little  purpofe  in  Europe.  The 
alcald.6  here,  like  thofe  of  America,  are  equally  bigots  when 
the  cant  of  religious  ibphiftry  is  required  to  fanftify  bafe  aftions, 

A  Negroe,  flying  from  our  colony  to  Cuba,  or  kidnapped  thither^ 
becomes  the  property  of  the  Spaniih  crown,  that  is,  of  a  Spanifli 
alcalde.  The  flupid,  illiterate  wretch  is  prefently  admitted  into 
the  bofbm  of  holy  mother-church,  and  ftraight  becomes  a  iueno 
catholko^  and  a  Spaniih  fubjed.  He  continues,  however,  in  a  ftate 
of  fcrvitude,  and  earns  a  weekly  fum  for  his  mafter,  who  muft 
pay  a  certain  proportion  of  it  into  the  royal  cofiers,  or  give  him  up 
to  labour  on  the  fortifications,  until  the  confederate  gang  of  Ne« 
grocs  there  can  make  up  a  purfe  for  him.  He  then  goes  before 
another  of  thefe  officers,  and  intimates  that  he  has  wherewithal  to 
purchafe  his  freedom.  The  owner  is  fummoned ;  and,  the  funj 
being  fixed  at  a  certain  moderate  rate,  his  mafter  is  obliged  to  take 
the  money,  and  grant  a  manumiffion.  By  this  eafy  method,  thefe 
deferters  foon  acquire  their  freedom,  and  with  very  little  pains  are 
able,  by  cultivating  tobacco,  breeding  poultry  and  hogs,  making 
chip-hats,  fegars,  and  other  trifling  articles,  to  earn  a  comfortable 
•livelihood  among  fuch  a  fct  of  haughty  and  indolent  beings,  who 
fcorn  to  fully  their  noble  hands  with  vulgar  occupations.  Such 
heing  the  encouragements  held  out  to  our  Negroes,  and  the 
paflkge  fo  eafily  made,  it  is  only  aftonifliing  that  the  defedion  is 
not  greater.  It  may  be  urged,  that  our  Negroes,  having  once 
tafl:ed  the  fweets  of  fo  eafy  a  life,  and  fraught  with  the  moft  per* 
•nicious  fuperftitions  [y],  would  be  ufelefs,  if  not  dangerous,  if  they 

[^  For;extinple,  <<  that  it  is  meritoiious  to  kill  heretics.* 

were 


BOOK    11.      CHAP.    VII.  87 

were  reftored  again  to  the  ifland.     This  I  ferioufly  believe,  but  if 
is  «o  argument  to.  juftify  the  detainers  of   them ;  for,  furely,  if 
they  had  principle  enough  to  do  what  the  laws  of  nations,  of  juftice, 
and  common  honefty,   require,  they  would  either  re-deliver  the 
perfbns    of  thefe  Negroes,  or  a   pecuniary  indemnification ;   they 
themielves  not  beftowing  a  gratis  freedom  to  thefe  poor  people,  but 
felling  it  to  them   for  a  valuable  confideration,  exadled  in   money,, 
apart  of  which  booty  their  illuftrious   fovereign  (or  I  am  miiin-* 
formed)    difdains  not  to  participate.     What  are  we  to  think  of  ai 
fociety  of  men,  who  are  capable  of  committing  fuch  pious  frauds  > 
under  the  mafk  of  pretended  righteoufnefs !  The  very  fame  pretence 
might   be  brought  by  a  highwayman,  or    pick-pocket,  to  juftify 
their  malefaftions,..    It  is  flagrant  robbery,  a  breach  of  good  faith . 
bet\yeen  the  two  nations,  and  ought  to  be  anfwered  with  reprifah 
to  make  good  the  damages  fuflained  by  the  plundered  parties.     The 
fovereign  of  Great-Britain  holds  an  intereft  in  all  the  Negroe$  pof^ 
fefled   by  his  colony-fubjefts ;  for  his  revenue  is  very  greatly  bene^ 
fited  apd  fupported  by  the  produce  of  their*  perfonal  labour.     The 
liatioa  at.  large  holds  an  intereft  in  them,  by  the  number  of  ma- 
iiufadlarers  fet  to  work ;  by  the  (hipping  and  marhiers ;  \yy  the  ar-- 
tides  neceflary  to.cloathe,  feed,  and  employ  thefe  labourers j   a&4 
by  their   genefal  confumption  of  Britilh  merchandizes^     Hence>, 
in  every  refpeft,    this  grievance  feems  to  rife  into  a  national  con- 
cern,, and.  to  deierve  a  powerful  national  interpofition,  that  fuch. 
aifts  of  perfidy  and  injuftice  may  ceafe  for  the  future.     That  fbme 
jjidgement  may  b^  formed  of  the  height  of  in(blence;to  which  the 
Spaniards.have  carried  therr  pretenfions,  1  muft  not  omit  to  mention » 
that,  fo  recently  as  the  year  1768,   the  aflembly  of  the  iflahd    aiJ"- 
•drefled  hismajefty;  fetting  forth,  that  numbers  of  their  flaves  were- 
aftually  detained  and  employed  in  the  fervice  of  the  Catholic  king, 
or  his  fubjefts;  ajjid  that,  application  having  been  made  to  the-  go-  - 
vernorof  St.  Jagain  Ouba  for  the  delivery  of  fome  of -thofe  flaves, 
he  declared,,  "that  although  he  knew  many  Negroes  were  at  that 
*^  place,   who,  had   made  their  elopement  from  Jamaica, ,  yeti  he 
^  WQuld;  not  deliver  tl^em  up;  having    received  orders  from'  tMe : 
^  court  of  Spain,  injoining,  tnat  ^11  Negroes,  Qoniing  thither  froitai » 
**-thc  Biitifh  iflands,  in  wliat  manner  foever,  Ihould-bc" employed! 

*'itti 


88  J     A    M    A    I    C    A. 

*-*  ill  his  Catholic  majefty's  fcrvicc,  until  further  inftruAions  flioulJ 
'*  be  given  capccrning  them." 

There  needs  no  ftronger  proof  ;to  (hew,  that  this  thievifli  practice, 
fb  repugnant  to  the  good  faitli  that  ought  to  fubfift  between  two 
nations  in  amity,  fo  deftrudtive  of  the  Britifh  commerce,  fo  incon- 
fiftent  with  the  rules  of  honefty,  that,  if  it  occurred  between  two 
private  individuals,  the  offender  would  juftly  be  deemed  a  felon  ; 
there  needs,  I  lay,  no  fuller  evidence,  that  this  difhonourable  po- 
licy  is  countenanced,  avowed,  and  defended,  by  the  Spanifti   go- 
vernment.    It  is  plain,  that  his  Catholic  majefty^s  inflrudlions  are 
diredly  leveled  againft  all  the  Britifli  colonies :  no  mention. is  made 
of  any  other ;  and  probably  none  other  are  included  in  them.  We 
may  likewife  obferve  the  latitude  of  the  words  :  «<  coming  in  what 
«•  mediae r  (be ver ;"  under  the  implication  of  which  are  certainly 
mejint,  not  only  thofe  who  voluntarily  defert  or  runaway,  but  all 
others  who  are  either  trepanned,  or  violently  brought  away,   by  his 
own  Spanifh  fubjefts :  and  thefe  Negroes  arc  to  be  employed  im- 
mediately in  the  king's  fervice.     Whence  it  is  plain,  that  every 
Spaniard  muft  efteem  this  as  an  encouragement .  to  him ;  hay,  he 
muft  think  he  performs  his  duty  to  his  fovereign,  as  a  zealous  fub- 
je^ft  ought  to  do,,  in  taking  all  opportunities,  that  happen  withia 
his  power,  to  inveigle  and  fleal   away  Negroes  from  the  Britifh 
planters,  for  the  benefit  of  his  monarch's  fervice.     Unhappily,  Ja- 
maica lies  more  convewent  in  its  fituation,  thaii  any  other,  for  fe- 
vouring  thefe  depredations.     One  would  think,  that  fb  prercmptory 
an  avowal  of  what  is  apparently  unjuftifiable' in  itfelf  would  be 
fufficient  to  alarm  a  Britifh  miniftry,  and  Ijead  them  at  leaft  to  re- 
flect, that  the  emigration  of  all  the  Negroes  from  Jamaica  to  Cuba 
is  at  \&2S^  poffible ;  more  efpecially,  as  the  Spaniards  boldly  aflert  their 
intentions  to  get  poffeffion  of  them  by  all  poffible  ways  and  means; 
and  that,  after  they  have  feduced,  or  ftolenaway,  thefe  Negroes, 
or  only  the  major  part  of  them,  they  will  have  much  lefs  difficulty 
•in  gaining  pofl'eflion  of  the  ifland  itfelf;  which  is  an  obje£l  that,  we 
have  juft  apprehenfion  for  believing,  they  have  all  along  held  in 
view*     if,  indeed,  they  fhouM  be  fuccefsful  fenough  in  diQ)eopling 
it  oftlic  Negroes,  we  need  not  hefitate  to  let  them  take  the  land 
into  the  bargain.    I  have  heard  the  number  of  them  purloined  from 

'  th« 


BOOK    n.      CHAP.    Vir.  89 

the  ifland,  or  that  have  eloped  and  been  detained  in  a  few  years  paftt 
computed  at  eight  hundred ;  the  value  of  v^rhich,  that  is,  the  ac- 
tual lofs  to  their  owners,  at  the  loweft  calculation,  cannot  be  rated 
at  lefs  than  40,000/.  Jamaica  money.  Had  they  taken  a  loaded 
ihip  from  us  of  half  that  value,  the  whole  body  of  merchants 
would  have  rung  the  alarm,  and  the  clamours  of  the  nation  would 
have  fpeedily  reached  the  cabinet  at  Madrid.  Why  the  injury  done 
to  our  planters  has  been  lefs  held  in  eftimation,  why  no  redrefs  has 
been  obtained  for  them,  for  their  paft  lofles,  nor  fecurity  againft 
the  future,  notwithftanding  this  affair  has  been  (Irenuoufly  repre- 
fented,  I  am  unable  to  difcover.  Our  Britifh  courts  of  juftice, 
adopting  the  principle  of  Gronovius,  inform  us,  that  a  Negroe, 
coming  from  one  of  our  own  colonies  into  Great-Britain,  in  what 
manner  foever,  becomes  inftantly  difcharged  from  the  fervice  of  his 
owner.  Perhaps  a  Spanifti  Gronovius  has  been  found,  to  affert 
the  propriety  of  this  kidnapping  by  the  like  rule  of,  *'  Servus  pere^ 
^^  grinus,  jimul  aique  terram  Hifpanicam  tetigerit^  eodem  motnento 
^'  liber  fiat  ;*'  under  this  referve,  however,  that  he  is  free  only 
quoad  his  Briti(h  owner,  but  not  fo  quoad  the  king  of  Jerufalem  [r]. 
But,  to  have  done  with  a  fubjedt  on  which  perhaps  I  may  be 
thought  to  have  faid  too  much,  I  return  to  the  parifh  of  St.  Anne. 
From  White  River  to  Rio  Bueno,  its  Eaftern  and  Weftern  bouri- 
daries,  there  is  a  continued  pretty  level  ground,  for  about  twenty- 
four  miles  in  length,  along  the  coafl:,  extending  in  breadth  in  few 
places  more  than  one  mile  to  the  foot  of  the  hills,  which  rife  gra- 

[r]  It  is  probable,  that  the  ecdefiaftics  derive  fome  pecuniary  benefit  from  this  practice,  as  it 
conforms  to  fome  of  the  Romifh  do6b:ines ;  agreeably  to  the  true  fpirit  of  which,  that  canon  was 
injoined  by  the  pope  to  the  bifhopof  Worceder,  in  the  year  14979  viz.  '^  that  a  man  (hould  be 
^  permitted  to  retain  the  property  of  another  perfon,  by  what  method  foever  he  had  feized  or  ac« 
**  quired  it,  provided  he  gave  a  certain  portion  thereof  to  the  pope's  commiflaries,  or  fubftitutes.** 
Irenaeus  was  the  firll  who  broached  this  infamous  tenet,  in  ^is  argument  to  juftify  the  Ifraelites  for 
having  robbed  the  Egyptians  of  their  plate  and  jewels.  The  ftale  pretext  of  the  Spaniards, 
founded  on  their  zeal  in  the  caufe  of  holy  mother-church,  and  the  tenor  of  the  royal  cedula* 
feem  to  correfpond  exa6tly  with  the  fame,  abominable  principle,  and  encourage  the  Negroes  of  our 
iflands  to  rob  their  maflen,  and  defert  to  them ;  who  maintain,  that,  if  a  (hare  of  the  plunder  be 
but  given  to  their  church,  the  converfion  from  paganifm  to  their  faith  is  furAiciefkr  of  itfelf  to  cx- 
lenuate  all  preceding  crimes.  Such  pofitions  are  fuitable  only  to  a  community  of  thievef ,  or  to  the 
deluded  votaries  of  fuch  a  religion.  They  may  apply  to  themfelves  and  their  difciples,  with  great 
propriety,  the  words  of  a  French  gendeman,  mentioned  by  Lord  OiTcry :  Four  vous  dire  la  veriti^ 
nmsjommes  tous  des  bon  cathoUques ;  mats  pour  la  religion^  pous  nen  avons  foint,  ^^  To  ^y  the  truth, 
**  we  ate  all  good  catholics;  but,  as  for  religion,  we  have  none.**  ^ 

V9L.II.  N  dually 


5>o  JAMAICA. 

dually  to  very  high  mountains.     This  trad  between  the  hills  and 
the  coaft  is,  for  the  moft  part,  a  {hallow  Jlratum  of  mould  upon 
a  white,  hot  marie.     Here  are  the  fugar-plautations,  which  with 
good   management  bear  moderate  crops  ;  but  the  canes  in  general 
are  (hort-jointed,    and,    this  part  of  the   parifli   being  fubjed*  to 
drowths   (the  high  lands  behind  drawing  off  the   rain),  are  often 
ftunted  in  their  growth  ;  for  the  foil   in  which  they  are  planted  is 
naturally  fo  dry  and  warm,  as  to  require  plentiful  and  frequent  ir- 
rigations.    Moft  of  the  rivers  here  take  their  fource  fo  high,   that 
their  water  might  eafily  be  dilperfed  in  channels  rtirough  the  cane- 
pieces.     Some  of  the  proprietors,  I  am  informed,  have  lately  had 
this  in   contemplation;  and  it  would   doubtlefs  anfwer  perfedly 
well.     The  hills  contain  but  very  few  fugar-wcrks.     The  mould 
here  is  extremely  fuperficial ;   and  underneath  lies  a  deep  vein  of  a 
white  marie,  or  hard  chalk.     The  pimento  loves  this  kind  of  foil; 
and   vaft  woods  of  it  overfpread  the  hills  to  a   great  diftance  from 
the  coaft.     Behind  this  range  of  hills  and  mountains  the  land  is 
divcrfified   with  open,  level  favannahs,   environed  by  rocky   emi- 
nences, or  with   little   cock-pits.     The  foil  of  the  latter  is   cul- 
tivated fuccefsfully  with  Guiney  grafs.     The  favannahs  are  covered 
with  fern,  and  applied  to  no  ufe.     There  are  three  principal  moun- 
tain-roads which  enter  this  parifh  from  the  South  lide.     The  road 
hy  Monte  Diabloj   in  Sixteen- mile-walk,  leads  into  it  on  the  South- 
Eaft  part,  and  is  a  mere  avenue   cut   through  the   woods,  there 
not  being  more  than  four  or  five  fettlements  on  the   whole   road. 
About  five  miles  from  Monte  Diablo  is  the  Rio  Hoja,  which,  run- 
mmg  abo»t  a  mile  and  half  from  its  firft   fpring,  difcharges  itfelf 
into  a  large  lake   of  immenfe  depth.     Some  have  afligned  this  as 
riie  fource  of  the  Cobre ;  which   is  not  improbable,  as  the  river- 
head  aad  this  body  of  water  lie  in  exa£k  meridian,  North  and  South.. 
The  next  road  penetrates  the  centre  of  the  parifli,  by  way  of  Old 
Woman*'s  Savannah,  in    Clarendon^  through  the  fettlements  of 
Pedro,  ofcwhkh  I  have  before  given  an  account ;  and  their  number 
fcattered  on  each  fide  renders  this  by  far  the  pleafanteft  way.     After 
leaving  thefe  fettlements  about   two  miles,  we  come  to  a  ftupen- 
dous  hill  of  folid  rock,  perfectly  bare^  and  unadorned  with  either 
plants  or  herbage.     From  this  ftupendous  iiuifs,  to  the  neareft  feN 

5,    •  tlementr 


BOOK    IL       CHAP.    VIL  gx 

dement  on  the  North  fide  of  the  parifh,  is  about  two  milesr  further. 
The  third  road  enters  the  Weft  quarter  of  the  parifti,  by  way  of 
Clarendon.  After  running  ^bout  five  miles  before  it  reaches  an^ 
iettlement,  it  branches  into  two  forks;  one  of  which  paftes  on  to 
Runaway  Bay  j  the  other,  to  Dry  Harbour.  From  the  entrance, 
by  Clarendon,  to  the  range  of  hills  near  the  coaft  of  St.  Anne,  is 
about  twelve  miles;  the  road  is  enlivened  with  a  very  few  human 
habitations,  and  thofe  fcattered.  This  tra£t,  from  lets  being  fo 
little  inhabited,  was  called  Siberia  :  yet  it  is  not  in  other  refpeAs 
deferving  that  appellation  ;  for  it  is  full  of  excellent  timber^  and 
furnifties  a  vaft  quantity  of  mahogany  every  year,  the  vifitors  of 
this  part  being  chiefly  cutters.  The  diftridt  of  the  parifti,  inter- 
fered by  thefe  three  avenues,  comprehends  near  one  hundred 
and  eighty  thouiand  acres,  as  yet  unfettled.  In  fo  vaft  a  ipace 
there  muft  needs  be  a  very  great  variety  of  foil,  and  num- 
berlefs  fpots  of  very  fine  cultivable  land.  But,  exclufive  of  a  few 
fern  favannahs^,  the  whole  of  it  is  in  its  primitive  foreft,  full  of  large 
cedar,  mahogany,  and  other  valuable  timber-trees.  The  foil, 
over  which  the  roads  pafs,  is  in  general  a  reddifli  fat  clay,  inter- 
mixed with  mould,  or  a  black-fticll  mould;  and,  fo  far  as  fet<: 
tlements  are  formed,  it  is  experienced  to  be  exceedingly  fertile, 
being  refreflied  with  conftant  dews  and  frequent  fliowers.  The 
rain  does  not  defcend  here  in  fuch  violent  ftreams  as  in  the  low 
country,  but  for  the  moft  part  in  a  fine  fpray  or  drizzle ;  and  the 
air  is,  during  the  whole  year,  cool,  temperate,  and  perfedly 
healthful.  Here  then  appears  a  defireable  field  for  introducing  new 
colonies  of  induftrious  people;  as  a  leading  meafure  to  which, 
fome  new  roads  are  required,  to  penetrate  through  this  defart  traft, 
and  open  a  communication  with  the  parts  already  fettled.  The  air 
of  the  coaft  is  hot,  and  in  general  tolerably  healthful. 

Near  Ocho  Rios,  or,  as  it  is  now  more  commonly  called,  Che- 
reirasBay,  in  this  parifli,  the  road  from  St.  Mary  paffes  through 
Walter's  plantation  to  the  Weftward,  up  a  fteep  hill.  This  road, 
having  been  gullied  very  much  about  eleven  years  ago,  by  a  heavy 
fall  of  rain  in  October,  the  (keleton  of  an  Indian  was  laid  bare  to 
view,  about  five  feet  below  the  furface.  The  foil  here  is  a  white 
coarfe  marie,  which  certainly  did  not  pbflefs  the  corrofive  qualities 

N  2  of 


9t  JAMAICA, 

of  lime  in  its  ccmpofition ;  for  the  bones  wfere  pefkOly  found  and* 
firm.  The  fkuU  appeared  preternatu rally  compreffed  at  top,  which 
made  the  Jinciput  very  low.  There  was  fome  appearance  of  a  cut 
on  the  occipital  bone,  as  if  made  with  a  (harp  weapon.  By  the  fizc 
of  the  bones,  they  were  conjeftured  to  have  belonged  to  a  mail  of 
large  ftature.  At  the  head  and  feet  lay  two  unglazed  earthen  pots, 
fhaped  fomewhat  like  a  canoe,  and  well  wrought ;  one  of  them  was 
broken  in  taking  it  out ;  but  the  other  was  preferved  intire,  and 
found  to  contain  a  fmall  quantity  of  black  earth,  refembling  foot. 
Thebody  had  probably  been  interred  notlefs  than  two  hundred  years. 
This  parifli  contains  two  remarkable  cafcades.  The  lefler  is 
formed  by  a  branch  of  Rio  Alto,  which  is  fuppofed  to  re-emerge 
(after  a  fubterraneous  current  of  feveral  miles)  between  Roaring 
River  Plantation  and  Menzie's  Bog.  The  hills  in  this  part  are 
many  of  them  compofed  of  a  ftaladite  matter ;  by  whofe  eafy  fo- 
lution,  the  waters,  oozing  through  the  rocks,  are  coploufly  charged 
with  it,  fo  that  they  incruftatc  all  bodies  depofited  in  them.  Tbi^ 
river  rifes  at  a  confiderable  elevation  above  the  fea's  level,  and  at  a- 
g^reat  diftance  from  the  coaft,  and  continues  its  courfe  between  the 
hills  fucceffively  broad  or  contracted,  as  they  on  each  fide  ap- 
proach nearer,  or  recede  further  from,  one  another.  In  one  of  the 
more  extended  fpaces,  it  expands  its  water  in  a  gentle  defcent 
among  a  very  curious  group  of  anchovy  pear-trees,  whofe  fp reading 
roots  intercept  the  (hallow  ftream  in  a  multitude  of  different  direc* 
tions.  The  water,  thus  retarded,  depofits  its  grofler  contents, 
which  in  lengrh  of  time  have  formed  various  incruftations,  around 
as  many  cifterns,  fpread  in  beautiful  ranks,  gradually  rifing  one 
above  another,  aiid  bearing  no  ill  refemblance  to  a  fnagnificenr 
flight  of  fleps  ia  ruftic  work,  leading  up  to  the  enchanted  palace 
of  fome  puiflant  giant  of  romance.  A  fheet  of  water,  tranfparenf 
as  cryftal,  conforming  to  the  bend  of  the  fteps,  overfpreads  their 
furface ;  and,  as  the  rays  of  light,,  or  fun-(hine,  play  between  the 
waving  branches  of  the  trees,  it  defcends  glittering  with  a  thoufand 
variegated  tints.^  The  incruftation  in  many  parts  is  folid  enough 
to  bear  the  weight  of  a  man  \:  in  others  it  is  fo^  thin,  that  fonne 
perfons,  whofe  curiofity  led  them  to  venture  too  far,  have  fud- 
denly  found  themfelves  plunged  up  to  the  middle  in  a  cold  refer-* 

voir- 


< 

m 

a 
> 

at 
n 


1 
•«  • 


BOOK    n.      CHAP.    VII.  9^ 

voir.  Thcfe  accidehts  ^ve  it  ftill  more  the  appearance  of  a  Fairy 
r^ion.  The  cifterns,  or  rcfervoirs,  have  their  fides  formed  by 
brokea  boughs  and  Timbs,  incrufted  over,  and  fuftained  by  the 
trunks  of  trees,  promifcuoufly  growing  between  them.  .The  ci-' 
fterns  themfelves  are  always  brim-full  of  water,  which  .trickles 
from  one  to  the  other ;  and,  although  feveral  of  them  are  fix  or 
feven  feet  deep,  one  may  clearly  difcern  whatever  lies  at  the  bottom. 
The  lamina  which  envelope  them  arc  in  general  near  half  an  inch 
in  thicknefs*  Ta  a  fuperficial  obferver  their  fides  have  the  appear- 
ance of  ftone ;  but,  upon  breaking  any  of  them,  there  appears  ei- 
ther a  bough  between  the  two  incrufting  coats,  or  a  vacant  fpace, 
which  a  bough  has  once  filled,  and  by  the  mouldering  of  which 
in  length  of  time  a  cavity  has  been  left. 

On  opening  feveral  of  thefe  incruftations,  not  only  boughs  were 
found,  but  entire  leaves  of  a  muddy-green  hue.  Whence  it  mayr 
be  conjeflured,  that  a.  fliell,  fomewhat  thicker  than  that  of  an  egg^. 
may  be  concreted  by  this  water  in  lefs  than  a  twelvemonth. 

The  incrufting  matter  is  foluble  in  the  vibous  acid,  and  when, 
dtflalved  acquires  a  deep-black  colour,  much  fimilar  to  what  the 
'vegetable  aftnngents  ftrike  with  ?i  chalybeate. 

As  the  remarkable  quality,  refidcnt  in  this  water,  feems  not  con- 
fined  in  its  efi^eds  to. any  particular  fubftance,  it  might  be  no  un«^ 
pfeafant  experiment  to  immerfe  the  fluffed  fkin  of  any  animal"  for 
a  fufficient  time  in  it ;  fince  it  h  probable,  that  the  workmanfbip- 
of  nature  would  furpafs  the  happieft  produdlions  of  the  chiffel,  andi 
fijrnifli  the  moft  animated  and  durable  reprefentations  by  this  eafyr 
and  unexpenfive  method. 

After  dancing  ever  thefe  innumerable  ciftenis,  the  pellucid' ele- 
ment forms  itfclf  into  one  or  two  ftreams;  which  afterwards,  coU 
lefting  other  neighbouring  rivulets,  compofe  feveral  leffer,  moft 
beautiful',  falls.  But  defcription  fails  in  attempting  to  convey  any 
competent  idea  of  its  feveral  beauties. 

'The  other,  op  great  cafcade,  more  properly  a  cataradl,  is  formed 
by  the  White  River,  which  is  of  confiderable  magnitude,  and, 
after  a  courfe  of  about  twelve  miles  among  the  mountains,  preci* 
pitates  in  a  fall  of  about  three  hundred  feet  or  more,  obliquely 
mealiired^.  with  fuch  a  hoarfe  and  thundering  noife,  as  to  be  heard 

at 


94  J    A    MA    I    C    A.^ 

at  a  great  diftance*  Viewed  from  bdottr^  the  Ajutajgcr  [r]  a{>p'eats'to 
be  a  bod^r  of  water,  of  fmall  bulk,  Ifluing  between  a  tuft  of  wood ; 
butt  as  it  continues  its  defcent,  the  breadth  gradually  increafest 
UDtil  it  reaches  the  boctom,  where  it  forms  a  beautiful  circular  ba* 
fbn,  and  then  flows  awaj  in  a  ferpeutine  courfe  towards  the  iea«^ 
Through  the  whole  defcent  it  is  broken  and  interrupted  by  a  re- 
gular climax  of  fleps,.  of  a  flaladilc  matter,  incruded  over  a  kind 
of  fi)ft  chalky  flone,  which  yields  eafily  to  the  chiflel.  So  vafl:  a. 
difcharge  of  water,'  thus  wildly  agitated  by  the  ftcepnefs  of  the! 
fall,  dafliing  and  foaming  fcom  flep  to  ftep^  with  all  the  impetuofity 
and  rage  peculiar  to  this  element,  exhibits  an  aweful,  pleaiing  icene^ 
But  the  grandeur  of  it  is.  aftonilhtngly  heightened  by  the  frefli  lup*«r 
plies  which  it  receives  after,  the  rainy-feafons.  At  inch  times,  the 
roaring  of  the  flood,  reverberated  from  tlie  adjacent  rocks,  trees, 
and  hills ;  the  tumultuous  violence  of  the  torrent^  tumbling  head- 
long with  refiftlcfs  fury  ;  and  the  gloom  of  the  over-hanging  woody 
contrafted  with  the  fbft  fcrenity  of  the  flcy,  the  filvery  glitter  of  the 
i^ray,  the  flight  of  birds  (kimming  over  the  lofty  fummit  of  the 
mountain,  and  the  placid  furfacc  of  the  bafon  below;  form,  all  to** 
gether,  an  aflemblage  of  fubjefts,  the  moft  happily  mingled,  and 
beyond  the  power  of  painting  to  exprefs, 

<*  Wide  o*er  the  brim,  with  many  a  torrent  fwell'd, 
«  And  the  mix'd  ruin  of  its  banks  o'cr-fpread; 
"  At  laft  the  rousM-up  river  pours  along, 
*       '*  Refiftlefs!  roaring!  dreadful! — Down  it  comes 
**  From  the  rude  mountain,  and  the  mofiy  wild, 
*«  Tumbling  through  rocks  abrupt,  and  founding  far:— 
*«  Then  o'er  the  fanded  valley  floating  Ipreads, 
"  Calm;  fluggifh;  filent; — till  again,  conftrain'd 
*«  Between  two  meeting  crags,  it  burflrs  away, 
•*  Where  rocks  and  woods  o*cr-hang  the  turbid  (bream* 
**  There  gathering  triple  force,  rapid  and  deep, 
**  Itboife!  and  wheels!  and  foams!  and  thunders  through !'• 

Thompson. 
A  beautiful  intermixture  of  tall  and  ftately  trees  rifes  gracefully, 
from  the  margin  on  either  fide  ;  whofe  bark  and  foliage  are  diverfi-' 

M  Sec  Plate  V. 

fied 


h\ 


'X 


)i. 


H 


r 


•  ■ 


♦I* 


BOOK   n.      CHAP.  vn.  95 

ficd  with  a  Taricty  of  the  lovelieft  tints.  And,  to  complete  the 
pidMarCy  the  bafbn  is  ornamented  with  two  elegant  trees  of  the 
palm  kind,  which  fpring  like  ftrait  columns  out  of  the  water^ 
placed  by  the  hand  of  nature  at  fuch  even  diilauice  from  the  banks 
0D  each  adt,  that  art  could  not  have  done  the  work  with  more 
attention  to  propriety  :and  exadlnefs.  The  whole^  indeed,  has  been 
executed  by  nature  in  a  tafte  that  furpaffes  either  defcription  or  imi- 

tatioD.     The  late  Sir  Charles  P e,  within  whofe  territory  it  lay, 

would  not  fiiffi^r  the  leaft  alterations  to  be  made  to  it,  although  feme 
of  the  fteps  might  eafily  be  cut  {o  as  to  be  reftilineal.  He  pre- 
ierred  its  .natural  beauties ;  aid,  in  order  to  enjoy  them,  £ormtd  a 
dub  of  gentlemen 9  and /built  a  range  of  apartnuents  on  a  pretty 
iawn  joft  fronting  the  cafbade.  Here  they  had  an  annual  -meetings 
vvrhich  continued  dome  weeks;  during  which,  tliey  took  the  di- 
v^rfion  iof  Aooting  the  ring-tail  pidgeons,  which  in  this^  part  of  the^ 
country  ane  very  numerous,  and  in  great  perfb£i:ion  at  the  protper 
jfeaibn.  If  the  leiSer  caicade  is  delicate  and  curioufi,  this.id  gran4 
axul  fuhlime.  The  :former  is  contemplated  with  jdelighf^  and  thU- 
with  a  pbaiiag  and  reverential  wonder.  The  fall  is  :faifi  to  .ejiceed 
in  grandeur  that  of  Tivoli,  or  any  other  in  Europe,  though  4nuck 
inferior  to  that  of  Niagara. 

The  grdtto  in  this  parilh,  near  Dry  Harbour,  and  ^about  ibur«- 
ceen  ^miles  Weft  from  St.  Anne's  Bay,  is  iituated  at  the  foot  of  i^ 
rocky  hiH,  under  whieh  it  runs  for  a  conftderable  way,  and  then 
branches  into  feveral  adits,  fome  of  which  penetrate  fo.fer^  that:rio^ 
^tffon'has^yW  verituredto  difcover  their  ending.  The  .foont  is  eso 
*femie3y<3eAiie^iit  its  appearance^ '  It  is  the  perpendicular  fece  of  » 
reck,  having  two  arched  entrances  about  tweii^  &et '  afonder,, 
which  look  as  if  they  had  anciently  isen  d(»or-waj6,  but  fpQk'by 
lime  oracoident  to  wlthiti  .two  or  three  feet  of  tlifcir  4ii)teki.  :Jh 
i^centceojf  the Tcdkri)et ween  thefe  2)ortals,.  ia  a  fmt$ir^^;nl(;h^,. 
^bout'fwnr  feet  in  :heig^,  and  as  .fnany  fromithe.gri^m^ij.'^hicl^ 
•isiight  well  be  fuppofed  intended  for'  l!he  reception  ^fiOnmffiditiBi,  ef« 
ffficialiy  as  at  the  :foot  of  it  is  a  fmall  excavation,  i or:  ib0foti,.pi>'o^ 
jedbd  a  little  -beyond  the  £aice  of  therrooki  whidbt^Mte  /«!  VCf  y ;  pXQr 
fjerireferv.oir  for  holy  water.  Excited  by  the  aQCotnt;3ii:;h^:hdafi^ 
of  tliis  celebrated  curiofity,.  I  made  oneiamonga  pat'tiy'itOj^viiit  ic* 

After 


96  ^       J    A    M    A/I    C    A. 

'After  providing  ourfelves. with  feveral  bundles  of  candleiwobd,  fplit 
in  fmall  pieces,  we  crept  on  our  hands  and  knees  under  the  larger 
of  the  two  apertures  in  the  front  of  the  rock,  and  immediately 
found  ourfelves  in  a  circular  veftibule,  of  about  eighteen  feet, di- 
ameter, and  fourteen  in  height.  .The  cieling  (an .  irregular  codh 
cave),  as  well  as  the  fides,  was  covered  with  ftalaftic  and 
Iparry  matter,  interfperfed  with  innumerable  gliftening  particles^ 
which,  reflefling  the  light  oft  our  torches  from  their  poIiHied  fur- 
face,  exhibited  the  moft  rich  and  fplendid  appearance  imagi- 
nable. *  •  » 
This  roof  feemed  to  be  fupported  by  fcveral  columns  of  the  iame 
matter,  coiKreted  by  length  of  time;  whofe  chaptrels,  and  the 
angular  arches  above,  appeared  in  the  true  Gothic  talte.  The  pillars 
furroundcd  the.  veftibule ;  the  open  fpaces  between  them  led  into 
avenues  which  diverged  away  into  different  parts  of  this  fubterra^ 
neous  labyrinth.  '  On  one  fide  we  obferved  a  rock,  which,  by  the 
Continual  dripping  of  water  upon  it  from  the  cieling,  was  covered 
with  an  iricruftation,  and  bore  a  very  ilriking  refemblance  of  fomc 
venerable  aid  hermit,  fitting.in profound  meditation,  wrapped, in  a 
flowing' robe,  his  drms  folded,  and  a  beard  defcendiiig  to  his  waift* 
The  head  appeared  bald,  and  the  forehead  wrinkted  with  age*  No- 
thing was  wanted  to  complete  the  figure,  except  the  addition  of 
features,,  which  we  immediately  foppUecJf  in  thf  theatric  manner^ 
with  a  piece  of  charcoal-  The  graceful,  cafy  folds  and  plaits  of 
the  drapery,  and  the  wavy  flow  of  the  beard,  were  remarkably 
well  expreflied.  Roubilliac,  the  rival  of  nature,  could  not  have 
executed  them  in  a  more  fini(hed\and  mafterly  ftyle.  ^kcx  we  had 
fufficiently  contemplated  this  reverend  perfonage^ .  we  purfued  our 
route  through  one  of  the  largeft  adits.  We  found  the  paffage  every 
where  of  good  height,  in  general  from  twelve  to  fifteen  feet ;  but 
fo  totally  excluded  from  day-light,,  that  the  gloom,  together  with 
the  hollow  ibund  of  our  trampling,  and  difinal  echo  of  our  voices, 
recalled  to  our  minds  the  well-imagined  defcription  of  .^Sneas's  de- 
fcent  into  the  infernal  regions.  And  this  idea  ib  ftrongly  poilefled 
Ds,  that,  in  the  enthufiafm  of  ipoeticdelufion,  we  expe^ed  no  lefs, 
<it  eve^y  iurn,  than  to  pop  upon  Ceiherus^  or  fome  pther  horrid  in- 
•habitent-of  JPluto's  dominion :          . 

Spelunca 


BOOK    II.     CHAP.    VIL  97 

Spelunca  altafuity  vqftoque  immanis  biafu, 
Scrupeay  tuta  lacu  nlgro^  nemorumque  tenebris. 

^a^imm^mmm  wmimmmmm^mm  mmmmmmmmmam  ^i^^iMaMa«B  mim^mmmmim  ■■■^MM^Mt 

Ibant  obf curt  fold  fub  noSle  per  umbram^ 
Perque  domos  dltis  vacuas^  et  mania  regna. 
^ale  per  incertam  lunamjub  luce  malignd 
Eft  iter  injylvis ;  ubi  ccelum  condidit  umbrd 
Jupiter  J  et  rebus  nox  abftulit  atra  colorem. 

**  Deep,  deep,  the  cavern  lies,  devoid  of  light, 

*<  All  rough  with  rocks,  and  horrible  to  fight. 

"  Its  dreadful  mouth  is  fencM  v^^ith  fable  floods, 

"  And  the  brown  horrors  of  furrounding  woods. 

*«  Now  through  the  difmal  gloom  they  pafs,  and  tread 

*<  Grim  Pluto's  courts,  the  regions  of  the  dead  ; 

**  As  puzzled  travelers  bewilderM  move 

«  (The  moon  fcarce  glimm'ring  through  the  dufky  grovc)^ 

**  When  Jove  from  mortal  eyes  has  fnatchM  the  light, 

"  And  wrappM  the  world  in  undiftinguifli'd  night/* 

Pitt. 
That  the  comparifon  might  have  appeared  more  juft,  I  ought  to 
hare  premifed,  that  the  grotto  is  furrounded  with  a  thick  wood, 
and  that  at  a  fmall  diftance  before  the  entrance  is  a  large  lagoon 
of  ftagnant  water.  The  critic  perhaps  may  objeft,  that  we  were 
not  fo  entirely  in  the  dark  as  -^neas  is  reprefented.  But,  if  he 
pleafes,  he  may  allow  the  dim  light  of  our  torch  to  bear  fome  fi- 
militude  to  the  glimmering  of  the  moon  above-mentioned ;  and 
then  it  will  feem  more  aptly  applied.  The  foil  beneath  our  feet  we 
perceived  was  deep,  foft,  and  yielding,  and  had  a  faint,  cada- 
verous fmell.  Upon  examination,  we  imagined  it  to  be  a  congeries 
of  bat*s  dung,  accumulating  perhaps  for  ages  paft ;  and  were  fur- 
ther confirmed  in  this  opinion  by  the  multitude  of  thefe  creatures, 
which,  upon  the  difturbances  of  our  torch-light,  and  the  unufual 
noife  of  fo  many  vifitors,  flitted  in  numerous  fwarms  over  our 
heads.  It  is  probable  this  foil  is  ftrongly  impregnated  with  nitre; 
but  we  had  not  time  to  fearch  for  it.  After  walking  a  confiderable 
way,  we  obferved  many  new  adits  branching  from  the  fides.  Our 
guide  informed  us  they  led  feveral  miles  under  ground;  and  thgt 
Vol.  n.  O  one 


^%  JAMAICA. 

• 

one  half  of  them  had   never  been  explored  by  any  human  being,. 
Soon  after,  we  came  all  on  a  fudden  to  a  little  precipice,  of  about 
four  or  five  feet ;  and  fome  of  the  party  would  ha.vje  hurt  them- 
felves  very  feverely,  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  fo'ft  Jiratum  of  bat's 
dung  which  lay  below  ready  to  receive  them.     Our  guide,  and  two 
or  three  of  the  foremoft,  difappeared  in  an  inftant,  having  tumbled 
one  over  the  other ;  but  foon  recovered   from  their  furprize,  when 
they  found  themfelves  unhurt.     The  reft,  who  followed  at  fome 
little  diftance,  being  put  on  their  guard,  defcended  with  fomewhat 
lefs  rapidity.     We  continued  our  walk  without  further  interruption, 
till  we  hailed  the  day-light  again,  in  an  open  area  environed  on  all 
fides  with  fteep  rocks  covered  with  trees.     This  area,  as  nearly  as 
we  could  conjefture,  lies  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  en- 
trance of  the  grotto.      We  remarked  feveral  adits  leading    from 
different  parts  of  this  little   court;  but  our  guide   was  acquainted, 
with  one  of  them  only,  into  which  we  walked,  and  came  into  a 
magnificent  apartment,     or    rotunda,     of  about  twenty-five   feet 
diameter,    and  about  eighteen  to  the  dome,   or  vaulted  cieling; 
.  ^rpra  the  centre  of  which  defcended  a  ftrait  tap-root  of  fome  tree 
f  »bove,  about  the  fize  of  a  cable,  and  pretty  uniform  in  fliape  from 
Jtop  to  bottom.     This  had  made  its  way  through  a  cleft  in  the 
f  rock,  and  penetrated  downward  quite  into  the  floor  of  the  apart- 
ments    On  owt  fide  was  a  fmall  chafm,  opening  like  the  door-way 
of  a  clofet  into  a  narrow  paliage  ;  whijch  our  guide  endeavoured  to 
difluade  us  from  entering,  on  account  of  a  deep  well,  which  he 
\  informed  us  lay  a  few  paces  within.     However,  we  ventured  in  a 
little  way  with  great   caution,   and  found  his  account  very  true. 
-The  paflage  grew  more  and  more  contracted,  till  we  met  with  a 
thin,  upright  ledge   of  rock,    rifing  like   a  parapet-wall,    almoft 
-breaft-high,  which  feemed   to  decjine   gradually  lower  as  we  ad- 

•  vanced.  We  therefore  thought  it  prudent  to  halt,  and  fbon  difco- 
vered  the  ledge  of  rock  feparated  us  from  a  vaft  cavernous  hollow, 
or  well.     Having  no  line,  we  could  not   found  the  depth  of  the 

*  water,  nor  how  far  it  lay  beneath  us ;  but,  by  the  fall  of  fome 
ftones  we  threw  in,  we  judged  the  diftance  to  the  water  about  thirty 
or  forty  feet.  The  ftones  in  their  fall  produced  a  moft  horrid, 
hoarie  noife,  as  loud  as  heirs  porter  uttered  from  his  triple  jaws, 

A  '    frimis 


BOOK  II.    CHAP.    VII;  99 

primh  thfirciius  oreL  Our  guide  informed  us  it  was  unfatbdmablet 
ftod  coroniUQiCated  with  the  f^a.  The  latter  is  probable,  as  the  ea« 
traoce  of  the  grotto  is  very  near  the  coaft.  We  returned  acrofs  the 
area  by  the  w^  that  we  came,  only  peeping  into  a  few  of  the 
other  aveouesi  as  we  proceeded^  which  we  found  very  little  dif-i 
fcrent. :  Thfcy  had  the  like  rude  cielingsincruAed  with  Hah&iUi, 
here  and  there  iirterlper^d  with  the  radicsl'  fibres  of  trees  knd  plantsi, 
and  their  walkis  ftrewed  with  various'  feeds  and  fruits,  particularly 
the  bread-aut  in gi:eat  abundance;  and  even  fome  reptiles,  all  cu4 
rioufly  covered  oyer  with  incruilatidt)S>  but.AtU  preferving  their 
origipal;  ihapes.  The-  ftruilure'  and'  fiuiritore  of  thqfe .  various 
cloyfters  ai\4  apprtn^ntsi  iit  the  famfctim»  thafti they xxcife  theut-I 
m<jft  cqripfity,  hafflp  all  defer ipiiwri. c  Inifome  wc:rfomi. dr.. fancied 
we;faw,  fparkling  icicles,  ,-artii  bpaiitifuUy-vaj'ieg|3tt(i:ifoHage,'gemH 
my  canopjes,^,  feftppof^  tlifones, .  rpftrpflis,  hufte^/ ikulls,..  piUaw, 
pxlafters,  bafpns^  ai^  a  thciufand  other  reiQ|>l«uees.  of  .iiwrh  t^bjisfts 
as  ftruck  our  different  imaginations.  Mod  «of  the  arches  and'  tbi» 
lo^QS  feemed  tp  hc.sQfXxp^^  A&WM\XT\^f  a^rgreyifli^  ftmotous 
marble  gpd  were:^&ttav,a^nt]>y  1 1  wild  oapd :  .cliriqu^.  Some  vt  per^ 
ifS(^  .and,  fiift^io  IChe .iWa^/ friferftnrfbite';  rothci:s  half  formed] 
«i^  fftffl*  J^itb^ir  yery)iafantft*tp..  .  Several  lOf  the^apartitaents  are 
cellular}  otl)e^s^;fp^4pu§^  ^.4iry^  iK^a^log  here  .and  tfiorean  eye* 
let*hole  to  the  world  above.  Th.ei^  &f  rial  corQmuixicatioDS'ane  o{ 
%uai ^xylf^e^pfyry^lfhf^ghm^M  general  large. «<ioii^h. to.adinit 
niif ch  li^tn't Jl^^%. they. ii)(i<od.ui^;^i^<i«A^  ixHh  mti  t^ . expebi npsMmi 
y9^pow[Sf:fk\^4i'^&Kd.'%\f:^v^iMatiffif^^  part9 

wliiph  arf  moft  :  r? ?]ufe^  ,  The  .9»t;9^qr.  fywlnpt  fif.the..  cate  is  a 
Sreyiih  rpd|p,r,  hQ9gx-poip]>?d  ?U.  ovgr, .  fpU /oif  crannies*  ,aivi  .thicks 

f^'Wfi^  ■yff»9H8gfftecif s ipf  yfff ?fr  iffJ^P^.  j:^)Qt?...hWBg,  FWiwtrjtfted 

\^tn?r^ijy  Jtfeyi-cop^^.^i^  af?;5>pe««)g»  |h«Xri8aujjfbiwithoatoiarfiy 

^Kihlc  S^l^-an  apgc^rajic^  f(^^h  is^r^JStfSWriy  j  QOBBUWinithia 

Hlaud.    We.  yj/fiffi  ..anasipv^?  ;  to-  ip,vejftjgaj[ie  /p  rt.her :  - .  .feftt, ;  :U|Joto  <{x-. 

^iDM;)g.,oux^iJQi^  of  t^hrjijrqod^Tj^^9.<fpu?i^;fcjarccly  -fiiffifi^      jtft 

for  conduaing  us' back..tg  tj^e.^tj^e^  j^^jlrffe  wfTSiohJigfi^iltol  »fe 

difpatch  in  regaining  it,  ror  fear  of  rainbling   into  fbme  one  of  the, 

99ll9;^rous  paflages  opening  to  the  right  and  left,  where,  puzzled 

with  mazes  and  perplexed  with  errors,  we  might  have  rambled 

Vol.  II.  O  a  on 


loa  J    A    W  A    I    C  ^A.';\l 

on  without:  di^e- pTobability  of  ever  finding  oor  iwy  -Otic  tig^n:  m^ 
MI  fuch  a  diftrefsfal  event  we  could  not  reafdti&l>ly  liavis  expt&Ad 
anj  human  ailiftance.  The  famous  Creran  labyrifith  did  not; 
1  am  perfuaded,' contain  half  the  turns  and  windbgi^  Which  bramch 
through  evi^ty/ ptatt  of  this:  infernal  w41dMfle&{  and  which  et^n 
Thefeus^  with  thb. help  of  hisclucr  w^ulldllrave  foUnd  'difficulr  t» 
ynraveL  Wiiofe^ter  ixmy  Ikve  the  ouriofity  to^  ^iainaine  th^fb  mean- 
ders, with  more  actebtion,  ailkdoto  difcover  tberp  extent  and'cermi*^ 
nation,  ought  tofurniiHhimfelf  with  the  impleA^ents  neceiili#y  fo^ 
flriking  fire,,  a  portable  naariner^s  compafs,  a  proper  quantdty^  of 
wax  tapeid,;  and  ibme :  provifibn  for  the^  ftoin^ch.  Th^s^-  eqpyip^dj 
faci  may  pervade  them^  without  fear  df  beiuj^  loft,  if  he  vtralirs 
with  due  circumfpeAion :  iht  iiiipreffioti  of  his  feet  <m  the  Mt 
mould,  which  is*thick*ftrcWeid  iti  th^fe  paffajges^  migbt  enabte^him 
to  re^trace  his'own  trad  almofl:  without  the  tiiiftance  of  a  compafi  ; 
though  to  avoid  the  «poffibihty  of  bdng  bewildered^  it  will  b6 
advifeable^to  carry 'orie.  .  »  >'       j..i:.  r^    ;  :  ';  ?       :: . 

Theie  are  thei^oit  reftiiarkaisleicvi^itkrsAs^^  kitHAt 

paFtfli ;:  bat  it  m^probably  coiitflrin  'ikhu;«,  th«^rOtto  tidt  hiaJ^i^ 
been  ibund  cut,  x>r  at  loaft  generally  knottfft,  %tA  widiiiA  tlhtk  tev^ 
years. J  ^  We  are  uncertain  whether  k  vras  knOWi>  Ity  tftc^^  Spaniards'; 
but  it. is  ifiitxjbfed  that  runaway.  -Negro^^  i^re  ncft  unactiuaintefd 
uuth.ib.ooaveasetrtahidit)g>{>lace<.>>  ^  .)•;..:..:.:- 
...Moftcftbehofffesinthis  parilh  si#fe'mJUfe'dbfai(ibfe"tlri(li-  \p6pi 
holes;  it  having  beta^bt  pra^e  fdrMieid^^f 'in  y^iMitA<69  ^  the 
enemy's  privatetnto  Utidheiiei,  in  drdert0^^1ufedi<e'<fiheinb£ili9fonts 
of  thoifr  Negrbesh  Thus^  in  guo^ing  agaitdlthf  iiiMte  <rf  foreign 
eneinies«:th^  are  fortified  alio  dgtlinft  intefhal  oilds ;-  the  like  pr^* 
caution  09ght  to  ha!<^  beeh  aied,  in  tHe  other  parts' bP  the  dhmryj, 
which  afb  i«mote  fi^nr  thd  toaA;>MV,  'iiii\i6\^^Silcou^  fie^figente, 
et^itaprndetk^  coiitempt  of  danger,,  veify^feW  hdiiies.  t^ii^  thg 
inland  fettlements  have  beeii  conftru6(^  in  this  nmiiie^' '  "''' 

'  Th«  road  which  pa0^  aloofg'thb'  cdkft  to  St. '^fames^  i$  otte  0^ 
tlM  bcft  iMhe  iflknd,  abtl  kept  in  tood  rcpsdr.      ;  .  .''-:.* 


••   «•  '         ij 


K ;....  :    "   .   I     •  -J  ••      -  ■•    t   .       ' 


- 

Negroes. 

Cattle. 

'734* 

4441 

2026 

1740, 

5242 

2342 

'745» 

5^3^ 

^533 

^7^1* 

7729 

1768, 

8320 

6207 

BOOK    II.       CHAR    VIL  loj 

State  of  the  Parifli.  • 

Annual  Produce  of  Sugar. 
Sugar-plantations*     )  Hogfheads,  |    Other  Settlementf. 


22  I     1700     I  158 

This  parifh  has  increafed,  as  appears  from  the  table,  upwards  of 
three  thoufand  in  Negroes,  and  in  cattle  near  four  thoufand,  from 
1745  to  1768,  or  in  twenty-three  years.  This  is  to  be  afcribed 
almoft  entirely  to  the  fettlements  formed  in  Pedro's  Cockpits:  and 
a  better  proof  cannot  be  required^  to  (hew  the  vaft  benefits  arifing 
to  the  ifland  from  a  more  extenfive  colonization  of  its  interior 
wafles ;  nor  a  ftronger  reafon  given  for  an  immediate  and  vigorous 
encouragement  of  fuch  a  pkn. 

To  recapitulate  fome  of  the  preceding  matters,  and  bring  them 
into  one  view,  1  (hall  clofe  my  detail  of  this  county  with  the  fol- 
lowing particulars : 

County-town  of  Middlesex. 
St.  Jago  de  la  Vega, 
where   is  held  the  fupreme  court  of  common  law  on  the  laft  Tuef- 
day  in  February,  May,  -Auguft,  and  November. 

Annual  Product  of  Sugar^ 
Negroes.        Cattle.    Sugar-plantations.    |   Hogfheads.   |    Other  Settlements. 

State  of  it!    •z     •  1  1     •        z 

iu  1768,   J       746     595^2         239  I    24050   I  763 

Redtories,  and  their  Stipends. 


St.  Catharine, 

St.  Dorothy, 

St.  John, 

St.  Thomas  in  the  Vale, 

Clarendon,         — 

Vere,  

St.  Mary,    — 

St.  Anne, 


£ 

s. 

d. 

300 

0 

0 

200 

0 

'O 

200 

0 

0 

200 

0 

0 

250 

0 

0 

200' 

0 

0 

2CO 

0 

0 

200 

0 

0 

1750    o    o 

The 


102  JAMAICA. 

The  parifh  of  St.  Mary  alone  has  no  church  as  yet  built ;  and  con- 

fequently  divine  fervice  is  very  feldom  performed  here  ;  but,  when 

it  is  performed,  fome  private  houfe  is  ufually  lent  for  the  occafion^ 

In  the  county  are  feven  churches,  two  chapels  of  eafe,  and  one  fyn- 

agogue.      The  civil  government   of  each  parifh,    or  precind,  is 

under  the   direction  of  a  cufios  rotulorum^  and  his  aflbciates,  juftices 

.  of  the  peace,  who  hold  a  quarter  feffion  ;  and  fubordinate  to  them 

,are  the  feveral  conftables,  clerk  of  the  .peace,  fiirveyors  and  war- 

ijdcns  of  highways,  coroner,  colleflors  of  the  parochial  taxes,  &c. 


C     H     A     P.       VIIL 


SECT.     I. 


U      R      R      Y 


Contains  about  672616  acres,  and  has  feven  pariflies,  and  ten 


towns  and  hamlets,  viz. 
Parifties. 


Towns. 
Kingfton,  the  county-town. 
Port  Royal, 


Hamlets. 


Kingfton,  

Port  .Royal,  

St.  Andrew,         

St.  David,  

St.Thomas  in  the  Eaft,  Bath,  — 

Portland,  n Titchfield     and    Moore, 


:St.  George- 


Negroe-town, 


} 


Half-way  Tree* 

Yallahs. 

Morant. 

ManchineeU 


«* 


Crawford,    now   Charles- 
town,  Negroe-tov^n. 


The  pariih.  of  Kingfton  is  bounded  Eaft  by  the  pariih  of  Port 
Royal;  Weft  and  North,  by  St.  Andrew;  and  South,  by  the  har- 
bour* The  town  of  Kingfton  is  fituated  in  latitude  \f  59!'  North; 
longitude,.  76.^  34^  Weft.  According  to  fome  geographers,  the 
.diftance  and  bearing  from  London  ar^  4080  miles ;  and  the  dif^ 
ference  of  time  from  the  fame,  five  hours,  fix  minutes,  Weft.  After 
the  repeated  defolations  by  earthquake  and  fire,   which  drove  the 

inhabitants 


I 


/      > 


BOOKn.      CHAP.    VIII.  103 

inhabitants  from  Port  Royal,  this  town  was  founded  in  the  year 
1693,  ^^  ^^^  North  fide  of  the  harbour,  which,  next  to  Port  Royal, 
appeared  the  moft  convenient  part  for  trade.     The  plan  of  it  was 
drawn  by  colonel  Lilly,    an  experienced  engineer;  and  in  propriety 
of  defign  it  is,  perhaps,  not  excelled  by  any  town  in  the  world.  The 
plan  is  a  parallelogram,  one  mile  in  length  by  half  a  mile  in  breadth,., 
regularly  traverfcd  by  ftreets  and  lanes,   alternately  croffing    each 
other  at  right  angles,   except  in  the  upper  part  of  the  town,  where 
a  large  fquare  is  left.     But  the  buildings  have  increafed  fo  rapidly, -» 
that  it  now  extends  beyond  the  outlines  of  the   plan.     It  contains 
fixteen  hundred  and  fixty-five  houfes,  befides  Negroe  houfes,  and 
warehoufes;   fo  that  the  whole  number  of  its  buildings,  including  , 
every  fort,   may  be  computed  at  between  two  and  three  thoufand : 
the  number  of  its  white  inhabitants,  about  five  thoufand;  of  free 
Negroes  and  Mulattpes,  about  twelve  hundred  ;  and  of  flaves,  about  ^ 
five  thoufand ;  making,   in  the  whole,  about  eleven  thoufand  and  ' 
upwards:    thirty-five    fpacious  ftreets;    and  fixteen-  lanes.  •    The 
harbour  is  formed  by  an  inlet  of  the  fea,  which,  after  pafling  Port 
Royal,  divides  into  two  branches;  the  Weftern,  flowing  to  Paflage 
Fort  and  the  mouth  of  Rio  Cobre,    forms  a  fmall  bay  of  fhallow 
watery  the  Eaftern  branch  runs  beyond  Kingfton  to   Rock  Fort,  • 
making  a  courfe  this  way  of  nine  miles  in  length,  and  is  two  mile^ 
in  width  in  the  broadeft  part;   facing  which  the  town  is  fituated.  • 
For  a  confiderable  way  above  and  below  the  town,  the  channel  is 
deep  enough  to  admit  fhips  of  the  greateft  burthen;  upwards  of  a 
thoufand  fail  may  anchor  here  in  perfeft  fafety,  except  from  a  hur- 
ricane; and  the  water  is  fo  deep  at  the  wharfs,  thatveflels  of  two  ^ 
hundred  ton  lye  along-fidj5  of  them,   to  deliver  their  cargoes. 

The  buildings  here  are  much  fuperior  to  thofe  of  Spanifli  Town.  . 
The  houfes  are  moftly  of  brick,  raifed  two  to  three  ftories,  con-  - 
veniently  difpofed,  and  in  general  well-furnifhcd ;  their  roofs  are  ^ 
allfliingled  ;  the  fronts  of  moft  of  them  are  fhaded  with  a  piazza  1 
below,  and  a  covered  gallery  above.  The  foil  upon  which  the  - 
town  is  built  is  in  fome  parts  gravelly ;  in  others,  a  brick  mould,  , 
intermixed  with  gravel;  and  the  Weft  part,  bordering  on  a  faliria, 
partakes  of  fea-fand  and  ooze.  From  the  harbour  to  the  foot  of 
Liguanea  mountains  is  an  eafy,  gradual  afcent,  of  about  four  miles 

and' 


104  JAMAICA. 

and  a  half*  The  town,  being  thus  fituatcd  on  a  dry  foil,  is  not  in- 
commoded by  the  lodgement  of  water  in  the  heavieft  rains ;  and 
it  is  thoroughly  ventilated  by  the  daily  fea-breeze.  But,  although 
the  flope  prevents  any  water  from  ftagnating  in  the  town,  it  is  at- 
tended with  one  great  inconvenience  -,  for  it  admits  an  ealy  paflage 
to  vaft  torrents,  which  colleft  in  the  gullies  at  fome  diflance  to-, 
wards  the  mountains  after  a  heavy  rain,  and  fometimes  rufh  with 
fo  much  impetuofity  down  the  principal  ftreets,  as  to  make  them 
almoft  impaflable  by  wheel-carriages,  and  caufe  a  (hoal-water  at 
the  wharfs,  depofiting  accumulations  of  rubbifli  and  mud:  by 
which  means,  the  navigation  of  the  harbour  may,  in  procefs  of 
time,  be  obftrufted  i  for  even  now  the  channel  is  greatly  contrafted, 

..an  entire  ftreet  having  been  built  on  the  foil  thus  gained  upon  the. 
harbour  (ince  the  town  was  firft  laid  out.     Some  have  propofed  to 

.remedy  this  inconvenience  by  cutting  a  large  trench  Eaft  and  Well 
above  the  town,  to  intercept  thefe  floods,  and  condudl  them  into 
fnialler  cuts,  on  each  fide  of  it,  quite  to  the  harbour ;  by  which 
method,  the  water,  having  a  greater  length  of  current,  and  not 

.flowing  fo  rapidly,  might  depofite  its  foil  by  the  way,  and  thus 
neither  annoy  the  ftreets,  nor  fill  up  the  harbour.  But  it  may  be 
objefted  to  this  project,  that,  if  any  ftagnant  water,  or  a  quantity 
of  mud,  Ihould  remain  in  thefe  drains,  the  efl^luvia  arifing  from 

,them  might  afFedt  the  health  of  the  inhabitants,  and  fo  become 
produftive  of  a  worfe  injury  than  what  it  was  calculated  to  pre- 
vent. The  remarks  before-made,  refpefting  the  modern  method 
of  covering  roofs  in  Spanifli  Town,  are  equally  applicable  to  King- 
.fton.  The  danger  from  fire  is  very  manifeft.  It  is  true,  that  ac- 
cidents of  the  fort  have  rarely  occurred  in  this  town,  the  kitchens 
.being  detached  buildings.  But  it  is'  ftill  liable  to  fuch  a  calamity 
from  malice,  as  well  as  negleft  or  cafualty ;  and  the  fate  of  Port 
Royal,  of  Bridge  Town  in  Barbadoes,  and  St.  John's  in  Antigua, 
(hould  ferve  as  horrible  examples.  To  guard  againft  fuch  ravages, 
in  fome  degree,  here  are  wells  and  pumps  in  every  principal  ftreet, 
.conveniently  placed,  and  conftantly  kept  in  good  order ;  and  in  the 
court-houfe  are  fire-engines  and  leathern  buckets.  The  ready  af- 
fiftance  of  fearaen  from  the  (hips,  which  lie  very  near  the  town, 
.would  doubtlefs  contribute  much  towards  preferving   it   in   fuch 

events ; 


B  O  aK  .  II.  •    CHAP.    VIII.  105 

events;  and  the  varioiis  openings  formed  by  the  ftreets  and  lancsi 
may  be  like  wife   confidered  as  a  further  fafeguard  again  ft  a  total 
conflagration.     A  projefl  was  once  in  agitation  for  bringing  a  par( 
of  Hope  River  into  the  town,  and  forming  a  refervoir  in  fomc  com- 
modious place  at  the  upper  end,  from  which  a  certain  number  of 
conduits  fhonld  be  laid  tp  fupply  the  principal  ftreets.     This  fcheme 
was  faid  to  be  extremely  practicable,  and  not  expenfive.     A  want 
of  unanimity  prevented  its  being  carried  into  execution.     But  there 
is  no  doubt  it  would  prove  of  eminent  benefit,  in  fupplying  the  in- 
habitants with  a  wholefome  water  for  their  common  ufe ;  for  the 
well-water  here  is  in  general  bad;  a  few  only  are  fed  by    fubterra- 
neous  drains  from -the   Hope,  or  fome  other,  of  the  .mquntainous 
ftreams;  the   reft  are  brackifh,  impregnated  with  a  muriatic  fait, 
if  not  with  Ibme  mineral. .    They  increafe  thirft,  inftead  of  flaking 
it;  caufe  a  dry  febrile  heat,  and  fometimes  a  dyfentery  in  habits  not 
much  accuftomed  to  them.     At  tbebottpm  of  the  town,  near  the 
water-fide,  is  the  market  places  which  is  plentifully  fupplied  with 
butchers   meat,   poultry,   fifh,  fruits,    and  vegetables  of  all  forts, 
Here  are  found  not  only  a  great  variety  of  American,  but  alfo  of 
European,  vegetables ;.  flich  as  peafe,  beans,  cabbage,  lettuc^e,.  cu- 
cumbers,   French  beans,    artichokes,    potatoes,    carrots,    turnips, 
radiihes,  celery,  onions,  &c.     Thefe  are  brought  from  the  Ligua- 
nea  mountains,  and  are  all  excellent  in  their  kind*.   Here  are  like- 
wife  ftrawberries,  not  inferior  to  the  produftion  of  our  Englifh  gar- 
dens ;  grapes  arid  melons  in  the  utmoft  perfection ;  mulberries,  figs, 
and  apples,  exceedingly  good,  but  in  general  gathered  before  they 
are  tborou^ly  ripe.    In  fhort,  the  moft  luxurious  epicure  cannorfaii 
of  meeting  here  with  fufficient  in  quantity,  variety,  and  excellence, 
for  the  gratification  of  his  appetite  the  wh<de  year  rounds    The 
prices  are  but  little  different  from  thoCc  of  Spanifh  Town;  but» 
where  they  difagree,  they   are  more  reafbnable  at  Kingfton,   the 
fupplies  being  more  regular,   and  the  market  better  fuperintended 
by  the  magiftracy.  The  beef  is  chiefly  from  the  paftures  of  Pedro^Sy 
in  St.  Anne ;  the  mutton,  from  the  Salt-pan  lands,  in  St.  Catharine  ; 
what  they  draw  from,  t^ie  penns  in.  St  Andrew's  parifh  being  very 
indifiereat  meat.     The  fupplying  of  grafs  for  the  horfes  kept  in 
this  town  is  a  very  profitable  article  to  thofe  fettlements  bordering 
Vol.  IL  P  on 


io<  JAMAICA. 

on  the  harbour  and  the  mouth  of  Rio  Cdbrer  which  are  fit  for  no  othon 
produ Aion  than  the  Scotch  grafs :  this  is  every  day  brought  to  the 
town  by  water,  and  fold  in  fmall  bundles^  a  certain  number  for  a 
ryal.  Some  of  the  grafs-planters  have  made  upwards  of  i^ooL 
peramum  by  this  commodity.  Wood  is  like  wife  another  article^ 
of  profit,  though  not  fb  confiderable.  Near  the  market-place 
fiands  the  original  court-houfe,  which  is  a  mean,  inconvenient 
building,  and  now  difufed  as  a  feat  of  judicature,  being  fixed  hk 
the  noifieft  part  of  the  town.  A  building  eredled  for  a  free-fchoot» 
iituated  in  the  upper  diArifl  of  the  town,  being  found  mote  airy  ami 
commodious,  is  now  made  uie  of  for  holding  the  quarterly  aflize* 
court  for  this  county.  The  parade  is  a  large,  handibme  £],uaM  £ 
on  the  North*  Weft  fide  of  it  are  barracks  of  brick  for  the  troops 
quartered  here ;  a  very  well^efigned  and  convenient  logement  ibr 
two  hundred  men  and  their  officers.  The  front,  which  containa 
apartments  for  the  officers,  makes  a  good  appearaoce*  The  id^ 
diers  barrack  ftands  detached  behind,  in  a  fquare  court  waUed 
roomd;  in  which  are  proper  oifices;  aad  at  one  angle  a  powder 
magazine  belonging  to  the  town;.  On  the  South  fide  of  the  parade 
is  the  church ;  a  large,  elegant  building,  o£  fooc  aHles^  which  h^s 
a  fine  organ,  a  tower  and  fpire,  with  a  large  clocks  The  tower  i& 
well^cenftruftedy  and  a^very  great  ornament  to  the  cown«  The 
fe6tor*s  ftipend>  as  fixed  by  law,,  is  only  250A ;:  but  the  furplipe-^ 
fees  are  io  large,  that  his  income  is  fuppoibd  at  leaft  one  thoui^d 
fovitiA%  per  annuffiy  Jzaxvdc^  comency.  The  ioounlty  g;»oU .  a ;  h(Qfr 
|iit^  fer  tranfient  fick  and  poor  (who  are  fiippcttted.  by  an  .^aval 
grant  of  afiemibly  of  300  A),  and  the  &ee-fchool„  fagve  notiuog:  re«> 
jBlat4£able  in  their  ftru^fhire^  The  land  appropiiated  £9^  the.  gaol 
t^is  a  pt^t^bf  tmohundired  feet  by  one  hundred  andfii^yr.  bu|;  only 
alwutikty^by  fifty  Ayfcre  inckifed  a.  few  years  ago*.  :l[t  hfA  ois}Jiy  obe 
apartflffecit  for  lodging 'debtoss,  evidences,  and  .edmtiials;'  and  thab 
of  no  larger  exieht  thaa  fifteen  by  fourteehifeeC..  The  walls,  whicit 
enclofcd  it  on  the  Sovth-Eaft  and  Weft,  Ihaving  wither,  windows^ 
fior  gratings,  fof  effedtuaHy  excluded  the  airg  that  thi^pl^ceiof  .p^n-^ 
finement  was  rendered  lixtremely  unhealthy^  wd  the  diftompei;a 
among  the  priibneos  became  a  matter  of  ferious  concern^  In  17^1  i 
iqpon  a  reprefiastation  of  the  fta£e  of  itv  the  affemJ^ly  mad6  prefix 

3 


BOOK    II.      CHAP.      Vm.  toy 

vifion  for  enlarging  and  renderbg  it  more  airj.  The  number  of 
Whites  ufually  fhut  up  here  is  abbut  ten ;  and  of  Negroes  about 
one  hundred.  This  was  formerly  the  habitation  of  that  ingenious 
and  learned  mathematician,  Mr.  Macfarlane,  who  built  and  fitted 
it  up  as  an  obfcrvatory ;  little  fufpefting  perhaps  at  the  time,  that 
it  would  be  converted  into  a  receptacle  for  unfortunate  perfons, 
who  are  here  precluded  from  almoft  every  other  amuiement  than 
that  of  (lar-^azing. 

The  ftreets  are  all  wide  and  regular,  the  houfes  many  of  them 
extremely  elegant ,•  and  kept  very  clean,  confidering  thefe  circum- 
(lances,  and  that  the  foil  on  which  they  ftand  is  perfectly  dry.  It 
is  natural  to  fuppofe,  that  the  air  is  healthy ;  at  leaft  there  appears 
not  hitherto  any  local  caufe  affignable  why  it  fhoald  be  otberwiife  j 
neverthelefs,  it  is  certain,  that  Kingflon  has  been  accufed  of  being 
an  unwholefbme  fpot.  Sir  Hans  Sloane,  indeed,  obferves,  that  in 
his  time,  at  fbme  plantations  bordering  upon  this  bay  of  Liguanea^ 
many  white  perfons  died,  as  he  believed,  by  the  ill  air ;  ibme  of 
thefe  fettlements  lying  in  bottoms,  or  low  iituations,  contiguous 
to  marfiies  near  the  harbour;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  that  plan** 
tations,  feated  high,  were  very  healthy,  and  their  inhabitants  not 
fickly.  The  land  Weflward  from  the  town,  and  confining  on  the 
harbour,  is,  for  four  or  five  miles,  very  low  and  flat,  intcrfperfed 
with  lagoons,  and  in  many  places  fubjeA  to  be  overflown  by  the 
ialt*water.  The  hofpital  of  Greenwich,  fituated  little  more  than 
a  mile  from  the  town,  upon  part  of  this  low  land,  is  remarkable 
for  a  bad  air,  and  the  mortality  which  always  prevailed  there* 
Hie  efk&s  of  its  unhealthy  (ituation  were,  that,  when  a  patient 
was  fent  thither  with  only  a  gentle  or  intermitting  fever,  this  mild 
difpofition  was  apt  to  be  changed  into  either  a  malignant  fever,  a 
blpody  flux,  or  fome  other  mortal  diftemper.  It  was  obiervedf 
that  the  yellow  Weft-Indian  fever  often  reigned  there,  attended 
with  the  moft  profufe  evacuations  of  bloody  by  vomiting,  ftools, 
and  even  by  every  pore  of  the  body :  when  no  iiich  fymptoms  di* 
ftref^  thofe  patients  whofe  cafes  had  been  fimilar,  and  who  were 
permitted  to  remain  in  their  ihips.  The  recovery  of  patients  in  that 
hofpital  was  obferved  to  be  very  tedious  and  uncertain :  the  leaft  in- 

or  irregularity  brought  on .  a  relapfe.    After  a  flux  had 

P  a  been 


io8  JAMAICA. 

been  flopped  for  fotxie  days,  the.  eating,  of  any  fort  of  food  which^ 
had  a  putrid  tendency »  fuch  as  even  a  mefs  of  broth,  would  fome* 
times  in  a  few  hours  bring  on  a  return  of  the  difeafe,   accompanied 
with  all  its  violent  fymptoms.     Neither  did  this  proceed  from  any 
fource  of  infe^ion   in  the  hoipital,  or  from  its  being  too  much; 
crowded  with  patients.     Thefe  things  happened  even,  when  a  fmall' 
number  of  patients  were  lodged  in  the  beft-aired,  and  in  the  clean- 
eft,    wards.      The  mortality  in  this  houfe  was  {o  great ,^  and  the 
caufe  of  it  fo  obvious,  that  there  was  a  necellity  for   defertiug  it ;; 
DO  more  fick  were  permitted  to  be  ient  thither.     During  the  laft 
war,  it  was  made  ufe  of  as  a  place  of  confinement  for  the  French: 
prifbners,.  and  proved  fatal  to  feveral  hundreds  of  them.«    Even,  the 
foldiers,  who  were  fent  in  good  health  from  the  garrifbu.  at  Port- 
Royal,  to  mount  guard  there,  were  in  a  few  days,  taken- iH,.  and: 
many  of  them  died ;  which  obliged  the*  commanding  officer  to.  re- 
lieve the  guard  almoft  daily;  by  which  means  he  faved  the  lives; 
of  thofe,  who,,  by  too  long  a  continuance  on  this  duty,,  would ^ 
otherwife  have  fallen,  a  facri^ce^     The  caufe  of  thls^  endemia^  has; 
been^  with  great  appearance  of  reafon,  afcribed  to^  the  faltrmarfties. 
and  fwamps^the  putrid  fogs  or  exhalations,, which  infeft  this  part  of 
the  country,  and  are  naturally  adapted  iiv  a  hot. climate,  to  produce, 
all  thefe.  balefuheffeiSts. 

The  large  tra£t.offaIina, lying  to  the  Northwardof  the  hoipital,, 
and  extending  from  Hunt's  Bay  towards,  Water-houfe  Savannah,  is. 
frequently  overflown  by  falt-w^ter,  when  there  happens^  any  conii« 
-diCirabJe  furge  in  the  harbour..    It  is  alfo  liable  to  be  deluged  by  the 
brackifti .water   of   the  Lagoon,  or  Ferry  Rivar.     MjUch.of   thia 
water  remains- afterwards  ftagnant,  and  becomes  highly  putrid.     It 
\s  impoffible  not  to.be  fenfibleof  it  in  traveling  over  this  falina  to- 
Kingftoii,  efpecially.  at  an  early  hour. in'  the,  morning,  when  the* 
ftench  of  the  ooze  is  often  remarkably  foetid ;,  and  a  vapour,  may' 
be  obfcrved  hovering  oyer  thefe.  lagoons.and  fwanops,  of  a  moft 
difagreeable  fmelU     It   may  .well   tl>erefore  he  fufpe(3:ed,  that  z\ 
Wefterly  land-wind,  which  fometinaips  blows  bejtween  the  moua« 
tains  behind  the  Ferry,  efpecially  after  a  violent  rain  there,  may: 
Impel  thefe  effluvia  into  the  towa  of  Kingfton*     I  have  been,  ini- 
formed,  by  an  experienced  phyftcian,  who  pradifed  m  this,  tawn, 

that 


B  0  OK    n      C  HAP.    VIll.  10^ 

tfiat  a  Wefterlj  wind  generally  brought  a  bad  fever  among  the  in- 
Ikabitants. 

Eaftward  from  the  town,  at  the  diftance  of  from  twelve  to  fif- 
teen miles,  in  the  parifti  of  St.  David's,  are  three  large  falt-ponds^ 
and  fome  lagoons.     At  certain   times  of  the  year,  when  the  fea- 
breeze,  or  trade,  is  veering  either  towards  the  Northern  points,  or 
returning  from  them  to  the  Soiith-eaft,  a  wind  blows,  knpwn  here^ 
by  the  name  of  the  rock-wind,  and  fo  called  from  its  fweeping 
clofe  along  fliore  from  Eaft  to  Weft.     Some  perfbns  have  been  of 
opinion,  that  this  wind  drives  on  the  putrid  effluvia  coUeded  from 
cheie  ponds  and'  lagoons,  together  with  what  may  arife  from  the 
other  fmall  creeks  and  ftagnant  waters  lying  near  the  coaft,  and 
brings  them  into  the  town  :.  but  this  is  merely  conjectural;  and, 
Qonfidering  the  diftance,  it  is  not  very  credible.     The  inhabitants, 
it  is  true,,  refident  at  Yallahs,.  a   little  way  leeward  of  thefe  falt- 
ponds,  are  fenfible  of  aa  ill  fmell  proceeding  from  them,  and  are 
generally  iickly.     But  it  is  doubtful  whether  thefe  exhalations  can 
be  traniported.  by  the  wind  fo  far  as  Kingfton,  without  being  al- 
tered in  their  qualities  by  the  many  miles  of  atmofphere  through 
which  they  muft  needs  pafs.     To  waft  fuch  effluvia  unchanged  to 
any  diftance  requires,  one  would  fuppofe,  an  almoft  calm  ftate  of 
the  atmofphere,  and  the  gentleft  impulfe.of  wind.     But  the  rockr 
winds  are  always  ftrong,  and  therefore  muft  be  deemed  capable  of 
difperfing  exhalations,  and  of  rendering  them  inoffeniive  at  a  fmall* 
diftance  from  their  fource.     The  perfons  who  inhabit,  at  Yallahs 
are  within  lefs  than  a  mile  of  the  two  greater  ponds,  diredly  in  the 
track  of   the  fea- breeze,  which,    blowing    acrofs   thefe   ftagnant 
waters,  and  through  the  lagoons  that  border  on  them,  muft  of 
courie  bring  a  conftant  ftreaiiv  of  vapours  upon  thefe  p^  .pie;  for 
which  reafon,  it  is  no  wonder  that  they  "are  fickly,.  fihce  they  are 
always  involved  in.  a  peftilential  atmofphere.     There  feem/ there- 
fore, I-  think,  no  probable-  grounds  for  believing,  that  the  air  of 
the  town  is  ever  annoyed  from  the  effluvia. of  thefe  ponds.     Others 
have  imagined}  that  the  Liguanea  mountains,,  which  are  known  to 
contain  mines  of  lead  and    copper,    emit  continual  fteams  of  a 
noxious  mineral  vapour^   which,  whenever  the  land   and  North 
winds  blow,  are  precipitated  down  upon  Kingfton,  and  contribute: 

ta) 


ii6  J    A    M    A    I    G    A- 

to  poifon  its  atmolphere.  ^  But  there  feems  ta  be  as  little  foundation 
for  this  conjecture,  as  for  that  already  mentioned.     It  does  not  ap- 
pear, that  the  inhabitants  in  the  neighbourhood  of  mines  in  Eng* 
land  are  lefs  healthful  than  thofe  of  other  parts.     The  mines  of 
Cornwall  are  known  to  emit  mineral  vapours  very  copioufly  ;  *  not- 
withftanding  which,     Mr.  Borlafe   affirms   the  air   is   extremely 
healthful ;  and  that  the  miners  in  particular,  who  are  moft  expofed 
to  thefe  vapours,  generally  live  to  a  great  age.     The  town  of  Po- 
tofi,  in  South-America,  which  is  fcated  at  the  very  foot  of  the 
mountain  containing  the  famous  mines,    is  remarkably  populous 
and  healthy  [/].     With  far  more  probability  it  may  be  alledged, 
that  the  intercourfe,  which  has  been  carried  on  between  this  town 
and  the  Spaniih  ports  of  Carthagena  and  Porto  Bello,  has  been  fre- 
quently attended  with  fatal  confequences,  by  introducing  from  that 
unhealthy  coafl    the    moft    malignant   and    deleterious  difbrders. 
The  inclemency  of  the  climate  of  Porto  Bello  is  known  to  all 
Europe  [u] :  not  only  ftrangers  who  come  thither  are  afFefted  by  it ; 
but  even  the  natives  themfelves  fufFer  in  various  manners.     It  de- 
ftcoys  the  vigour  of  ftature,  and  often  untimely  cuts  the  thread  of 
life.     The  heat  of  this  place  is  exceflive,  being  augmented  by  the 
iituation  of  the  town,  which  is  furrounded  with  high  mountains, 
without  any  interval  for  the  winds,  whereby  it  might  be  refrefhed. 
The  trees  on  the  mountains  ftand  fo  thick,  as  to  intercept  the  rays 
bf  the  fun,  and  confequently  hinder  them  from  drying  the  earth 
bnder  their  branches :  hence  copious  exhalations,  which  form  large 
clouds,  and  fall  in  violent  torrents  of  rain.     This  continual  incle- 
mency, added  to  the  fatigues  of  thefeamen  in  unloading  the  (hips 
and  carrying  goods,  and  their  immoderate  drinking  of  fpirituous 
liquors,  muft  jointly  deftroy  the  beft  conftitutions,  and  tend  to  pro- 

[f]  The  inhabitants  about  Mendip-hills,  in  Somededhire,  whicli  amtun  Ae  fimoui  kad-miaci, 
«njoy  good  health,  except  fuch  only  as  are  empbyed  in  {mdtsng  the  ore.  But,  aooording  to  tome 
authors,  the  American  mines  are  not  fo  inofieniive  in  all  parts  of  the  continent :  and  many  judi* 
dous  perfons^  fufpe^t,  that  the  unhealthinefs  of  Kingflon  mull  be  attributed  todiefe  mineral 
fieams,  whofe  wdafmata  impregnate  the<lew8|  which  are  carried  down  by  the  land^mnd,  and  de» 
icend  upon  the  town  at  night ;  and,  in  ^nfirmation  of  this  opinion,  th^  aflert,  that  the  iohabi* 
taiits  more  oiten  contra6^  iicknds  from  expofure  to  the  night-air  here,  than  from  any  other  caufe 
whatever. 

M  Ulloa*!  Voyage  to^ottdi-America* 

duce 


BOOK    IL      CHAP.      VIII.  n, 

doce  or  infiaine  thole  terrible  difbrders  fo  common  in  this  part  of 
the  eoQOtry.  The  galleons  and  other  European  fliips,  which  flay 
any  time  here»  feldom  leave  it  without  burying  half,  or  at  leaft 
one  third,  of  their  men :  whence  this  place  has  been  termed  the 
grave  of  the  Spaniards  ;  but  it  may>  with  equal  propriety,  be  ap- 
plied to  thofe  of  other  nations  who  vifit  it.  This  remark  is  fuffi* 
ciently  confirmed  by  the  havock  made  among  the  Englilh^  when  • 
the  fleets  under  command  of  vice-admiiral  Hofier,  lay  before 
this  port  in  1726  for  fix  months^  The  inclemency  of  the  air  fwept 
a^Tiray  fuch  numbers  of  his  ieamen,  that  he  was  obliged  to  beat 
away  for  Jamaica.  This  fleet  wa&  afiberwards  kept  oii  fervice,  oa 
the  coafl  of  Carthagena  and  the  Baftimentos  chiefly,  until  June 
1728,  when  it  returned  to  Jamaica  in  confequence  of  the  peace 
with  Spain ;  and  it  was  then  computed,  that,  fromr  tlie  time  of  ad« 
miral  Hofier'^s  arrival  in  June  1726,  it  had  lofl  two  admirals^  tCD 
captains,  about  fifty  lieutenants,  and  near  four  thoufand  fubaltem- 
officers  and  feamen  ;  who  all  fell  by  ficknefs,  and  not  by  the  hands' 
of  the  enpmy  I  But,  notwithflanding  this  general  fatality  of  the 
climate  of  Porto  Bello,  and  its  neighbouring  coaA,  to  Europeans^  > 
aSpanifhiijuadron,.  which  lay  here  in  1730,  enjoyed  a  good  flate 
of  healths  Thi«  happy  fingularity  was  attributed  to.  the  flop  of 
the  ftips  at  Carthagena^  where  the  crews  pailed  the  time  of  the 
endcoaia;  by  which  their  conflitutions  were  better  adapted  to  the 
climate^  So  ttOKious  is  the  air  of  this  place,  that  even  perfons  bomt 
in  it,  if  above  the  degree  of  a  Mulatto,  fcom  to  refide  heiis  ;  and, 
for  the  faoxe  reaibn,  the  royal  edift  of  Spain  forbuls  the  fiiir  held 
annually  to  exceed  forty  days.  The  principal  fources  of  this  un-- 
healthinefs,  exclufive  of  what  has  been  already  mentioned,  are, 
the^wMSkpinefs  of  the  ground  on  the  Eafl  fide  of  the  harbour,  and^ 
a  blaiE;k  fiidiy  -mud^  which  at  low-water  is  left  bare,  and  fends  forth' 
aaabominabla  f^nch.  Such  a  fituatbn  na^iA,  in  any  part  of  thdi 
Wefb-Iodks,  render  the  air  malignant ;:  and  it  will  prove  fb,  in  a. 
greater  or  Ids  degree,  in  proportion:  as  other  cauiea  more  or  lefs 
Goocur-'itt  pre^^enting  it  fron3^  being  eithcx  difpecied  or  corroSted*.. 
Upon  adqHral  Vernon's  return  to  Jamaica;  frotn  Porto  Bello  and:^ 
C!a0hi^i>4^  thecrew^  of  the  itieo  o£  war,,  and  landrfbroea,  broughfrr 
wkh*tiMm ^^vevyc^tagioufi  fevps^.   The bdod-foicesbaid* been  is«- 

duccd: 


,i2  JAMAICA. 

duced  from  twelve  to  three  thoufand,  more  by  fickncfs  than  iti 
their  engagements  with  the  Spaniards.  To  add  to  the  misfortune 
of  thofe  who  returned,  they  were  encamped  at  Greenwich ;  and 
the  mortality  was  increafcd,  as  well  by  the  unwholefbmenefs  of 
that  fpot,  as  by  the  rains  which  fell,  and  to  which  the  naen  were 
inevitably  cxpofed.  The  malady  was  foon  communicated  to  the 
town  of  Kingfton,  where  it  committed  vaft  havock,  A  merchant, 
who  was  here  at  the  time,  affured  me,  that,  having  dined  with  an 
intimate  acquaintance  one  day,  and  left  him  in  the  evening  in 
ieeming  perfeft  health,  he  was  fummoned  the  very  next  day  to  at- 
tend his  friend  s  funeral.  He  accordingly  went,  with  five  others, 
as  a  bearer ;  and  in  a  few  days  he  was  left  the  only  furvivor  of  the 
whole  company,  the  other  five  having  taught  infedion  from  the 
corpfe,  as  they  accompanied  it  to  the  burial-place.  He  imputed 
his  efcape  to  the  precaution  he  took  of  chewing  tobacco,  and  car- 
rying fome  in  his  hand,  which  he  frequently  applied  to  his  nofe. 
It  would  be  a  (brrowful  talk  to  enumerate  the  many  fimilar  cataftro- 
phes  which  have  befallen  this  town  by  the  importation  of  nia- 
lignant  fevers  from  Porto  Bello,  Carthagena,  the  coaft  of  Gulney, 
and  the  Havannah ;  not  omitting  the  gaol-fever  from  England :  all 
of  which  in  their  turns  have  at  various  periods  raged  with  a  fury 
that  threatened  to  depopulate  it.  It  may  be  more  to  the  purpofe 
(fince  the  town,  all  circumftances  confidered,  does  not  appear  to  be 
locally  unhealthy)  to  fuggeft  fome  means  of  guarding  it  againft 
the  invafion  of  theie  exotic  difeafes ;  fo  that,  when  they  happen  on 
board  any  of  the  ihips  that  arrive  here,  the  infection  may  be  de- 
barred from  extending  into  the  town. 

It  would  probably  be  one  means  of  preferving  the  lives  of  our 
feamen,  if  the  (hips,  intended  for  Porto  Bello,  were  diipatched  at 
thofe  times  of  the  year  when  the  endemia  leaft  prevails  there. 
Thefe  times  are  the  months  of  December,  January,  February, 
and  March.  But,  when  they  are  unfortunately  feized  with  thefe 
malignant  fevers,  there  are  no  remedies  which  promife  ib  fpeedy 
and  efiedual  relief  as  medicines  of  the  antimonial  clafs,  and  a  re- 
moval as  fbon  as  poflible  into  a  better  air.  In  the  year  1 769,  his 
xnajefty*s  ihip  Levant  being  at  Porto  Bello,  the  crew  were  attacked 
with  a  malignant^  petechial  fever ;   but,  out  of  feventy  men  who 

were 


BOOK    n.      CHAP.     VIII.  113 

were  taken  with  this  difeafe,  two  only  died  ;    the  reft  were  reco-^ 
vered  hy  Dr.   James's  well-known    powder,   adminiftered   by   the 
furgeon  of  that  fliip.     From  a  multitude  of  experiments,  this  pow- 
der appears  to  be  a  fpecific  remedy  for  all  the  Weft-India  fevers  of 
tbe  putrid  kind  ;  and  it  is  but  doing  juftice  to  its  merit,  to  fay,  that 
it    feldom    has   failed  of  fuccefs,  if   given   early  after   the    firft 
iymptom  of  the  difeafe  has  made  its    appearance,  and   in  dofes  ju- 
dicioufly  proportioned  to  the  patient's  ftrength.     When  a  veflel  ar- 
rives at  Port  Royal   harbour  with  any  contagious  fever  on  board, 
flie  might  be  ordered  to  perform  quarantine  at  the  Pallifadoes.     Here 
a  convenient  lazaretto,  open  to  the  fea-breeze,  might  be  ereded  at 
an  expence  very  trifling  to  the  publick;  for  a  boarded  or  plaiftered 
houfe  would  be  not  only  the  cheapeft,  but  wholefomeft,  kind  of 
building  for  this  purpofe.     Here  the  patients  would  breathe  a  pure, 
dry,  an(l  perfedlly  falubrious  atmofphere ;  and  might  be  conftantly 
fupplied  with  vegetables,  and  all  other  neceflaries,  from  the  town 
of  Kingfton,  by  water-carriage.     The  (hips  in  which  the  infection 
had  raged  might  here  be  duly  aired  and  purified  for  a  reafonable  time 
before  they  were  fufFered  to  approach  the  town.     A  precaution  of 
this  nature,  fo  much  wanted,   and  fo  eafily  to  be  put  in  practice, 
feems  to  dcferve  fome  attention  from  the  legiflature   of  the   ifland. 
I  think  it  will     be   alldwed,  that,     had    it   been    adopted    fome 
years   ago,  and  continued   under   fit   regulations   ftriftly  obferved, 
many  thoufand  ufeful  lives  might  have  been  redeemed  from  an  un- 
timely fate.     Befides,  thefe  calamities    are  not  confined  to  King- 
fton alone ;  for,  when  they  have  raged  to  any  confiderable  degree 
in  this  town,  they  have  unavoidably  circulated  into  other  parts  of 
the  ifland  by  means  of  the  conftant  refort  to  it   of  people  from  the 
various  diftrifts.     The  wifdom  and  circumfpeftion  of  every  trading 
port  in  Europe  have  pointed  out  the  utility  of  fuch  lazarettos ;  and, 
although  the  diftemper  called  the  plague  has  never  yet  been  known 
in  the  Weft-Indies,  yet  the  putrid  fevers  hatched  in   this  climate 
have  at  times  been  nearly  as  peftilential  and  mortal ;  chiefly  fo,  when 
they  have  invaded  a  multitude  of   men  pent  up  in  the  clofe  at- 
mofphere ofafliip,  or   the  warm   rooms  of  towns  on  the  coaft.' 
To  this  eScGt  is  the  remark   of  a   fenfible  man  who   rcfided    many 
years   in  Jamaica,    cited  by  Dr.  Lind.     *'  He  obferved  the  poor 
Vol..  II.  Q  «  feamen 


iH  JAMAICA. 

"  feamen  in  the  merchant  fervice  to  recover  from  the  yellow  fever 
^*  folely  by  having  the  benefit  of  a  free  and  conftant  admiffion  of 
**  air  into  a  il)ip  anchored  at  a  diftance  from  the  (hore;  where 
"  they  lay  utterly  4eilitute  of  every  affiftance  in  ficknefs,  and  evea 
"  q{  common  neceflaries  ;  having  nothing  but  cold  water  to  drink^ 
**  and  not  fo  much  as  a  bed  to  lie  upon ;  while  gentlemen  newly 
"  arrived  from  England,  by  being  (hut  up  in  fmall,  clofe,  fuffo- 
«  eating  chambers  at  Kingfton  and  Port  Royal,  expired  with  the 
•'  whole  mafs  of  their  blood  diflblved,  and  flowing  at  every  pore  ; 
**  the  ftifling  heat  of  their  rooms  having  produced  a  ftate  of  uni- 
•*  vcrfal  putrefaftion  in  the  body  even  before  death.**  Such  ftran- 
gers,  upon  their  arrival,  are  generally  obliged  to  take  up  with  the 
common  lodging- houfes;  the  owners  of  which,  in  order  to  make 
the  moft  advantage  of  their  bufincfs,  convert  every  little  clofet  and 
hole  jntoa  bed-chamber.  The  healthieft  perfon  would  find  it  dif- 
ficult to  refpire  freely  for  a  whole  night  in  one  of  thefe  dungeons. 
How  improper  then  muft  they  be  for  thofe  who  arc  feized  with  a 
fever,  and  are  thus  excluded  from  that  conftant  refreflimeut  of  air 
upon  which  their  recovery  fo  much  depends,  that,  without  it,  all 
medicines  are  ineffeftual !  The  houfes  of  towns  in  thi&  climate 
cannot  be  too  airy ;  and  on  this  account  the  jealoufy-lhuttcrs,  as  they 
are  called,  which  freely  admit  the  air,  are  very  excellent  contri- 
vances;  and  no  bed-chamber  (hould  be  unfurniflied  with  them;, 
for  by  their  means  the  fmalleft  apartment  may  be  conftantly  ven- 
tilated. 

There  are  fome  other  remarkables  in  this  town,  which,  fo  far  as 
they  appear  inconfiftent  with  the  general  health,  defcrve  to  be 
noticed. 

The  firft  is,  the  praftice  of  cramming  fo  many  corpfes  into  a 
fmall  church-yard  in  the  centre  of  the  town ;  inftead  of  providing 
a  proper  cemetery  at  a  diftance,  and  to  leeward  from  all  the 
houfes. 

The  fecond  is,  a  filthy  cuftom  of  ufing  tubs,  and  empty  butter- 
firkins,  inftead  of  vaults  ;  and  exonerating  them  of  their  contents 
every  day  at  the  wharfs;  by  which  inceflant  accumulation  of  putrid 
matter,  the  mud  in  thofe  parts  is  rendered  dill  more  ofFenfive,  and 

injurious 


BOOK    II.      CHAP.    Vin.  115 

injurious  to  the  health  of  thofe  who  inhabit  the  loweft,  which  is 
the  hotteft,   quarter  of  the  town. 

The  third  is,  a  ftrange  method  of  repairing  their  ftreets  with  the 
offals  and  naftinefs  raked  from  all  the  dunghills  about  the  town ; 
inftcad  of  gravel,  or  a  frcfti  wholefbme  foil,  of  which  there  is  great 
plenty  in  the  environs. 

Thefe  are  fo  many  artificial  annoyances,  which  cannot,  I  think, 
improve  the  quality  of  the  air  they  breathe.  Natural  evils,  if  they 
cannot  be  removed  or  remedied,  muft  be  acquiefced  with ;  but 
for  an  intelligent  people  to  take  pains  to  poifon  themfeives  in  this 
manner  can  only  be  imputed  to  a  liftlefs  indolence,  or  a  great  de- 
feft  of  good  police  among  them.  The  Mahometans  can  give  them 
fome  inftruftions  not  to  be  flighted.  The  burial-places  of  the 
Turks  are  handfome  and  agreeable ;  which  is  owing  chiefly  to  the 
many  fine  plants  that  grow  in  them,  and  which  they  carefully 
place  over  their  dead.  They  aft  much  more  confifl:ently  than  the 
Chriflians,  when  they  bury  their  dead  without  their  towns,  and 
plant  over  them  fuch  vegetables  as,  by  their  aromatic  and  balfamic 
odours,  can  drive  away  or  correft  the  fatal  exhalations  with  which 
the  atmofphere  of  fuch  places  is  generally  loaded.  By  this  eafy 
praftice  they  efcape  many  misfortunes  which  affeft  Chriftians  from 
their  wandering  and  dwelling  continually  among  the  dead.  Cyprefles 
and  rofemary  are  the  plants  mofl:  abundant  in  thefe  grounds ;  and  the 
Turks  never,  if  they  can  avoid  it,  lay  two  bodies  in  the  fame 
grave.  There  can  be  no  doubt  but  experience  taught  them  the  rec- 
titude of  this  practice  in  a  warm  climate,  fubjeft  fo  frequently  to 
the  vifitations  of  the  plague.  The  contrary  pradice  in  the  colder 
climates  (Britain  for  example)  is  certainly  in  fome  degree  perni* 
cious,  as  the  air  even  here,  at  certain  times  of  the  year,  is  in  a 
ftate  to  favour  the  afcent  of  very  unwholefome  vapours  from  fuch 
grounds,  particularly  in  towns,  where  the  furrounding  walls  con- 
fine the  moifture  that  falls  within,  and  prevents  the  greater  part 
of  it  from  efcaping  any  other  way  than  by  exhalations.  But  our 
adoption  of  this,  and  fome  other  Britifli  cufloms,  in  a  hot  climate, 
is  unqueftionably  abfurd.  Why  fliould  it  be  thought  irrational  to 
follow  rather  the  Turkifli  cuftom,  and  bury  the  dead  at  a  fmall 
diftance  to  the  North-weft  of  our  towns  in  the  Weft-Indies,  from 

Q  2  v.'hich 


ii6  JAMAICA. 

vvhich  quarter  the  wind  rarely  fets,  and  plant  the  ground  with  the 
wild-fage,  rofemary,  and  other  aromatic  flirubs,  which  grow  very 
abundant  in  the  low  lands  ?  If  there  is  really  a  wide  difference  be- 
tween  a  pure  and  a  vitiated  air,  in  regard  to  the  effeiSts  they  refpec- 
tively  produce  on  the  health  of  mankind  (and  tljat  there  is  will 
he  readily  granted),  humanity  (hould  unite  with  good  fenfe  to  re- 
move thofe  nuifances  and  erroneous  cuftoms,  which  have  too  lonir 
prevailed  againft  the  public  welfare. 

The  Jewifh  fynagogue  in  this  town   is   a  handfome,    fpacious 
building  ;    and  here   the  principal    rabbi  officiates.     It  contains  a 
gallery,  like  that  in  Spanish  Tow^n,  for  the  reception  of  their  wo- 
men, who  do  not  mingle  with  the  other  fex  in  their  public  devo- 
tions.    The  Jews  are   numerous  in   this   town,  being  poflefled  of 
the  greatefl  (hare  in   the  Spanifli  trade.     They  have  a  convenient 
burying-ground  without  the  town.     No  public  buildings  having  as 
yet  been  erefted  for  the  officers    of  the  cuftoms  ,and  the  receiver- 
general  of  the  ifland,  their  offices  are  kept  in  private  houfes,  fitu- 
ated  in  different  quarters  of  the  town  ;  which  is  a  very  great  in- 
convenience to  the' trade.     Every  vefl'el  that  arrives  is  obliged  to  be 
entered   at  the  poft-office,   the  fecretary*s,    the  colle£lor's,  comp- 
troller's, naval,  and  receiver-generars.     Thefe  being  all  detached, 
and  at  a  diftanCe  from  one  another,  the  captains  of  fhips  are  forced 
to  make  the  tour  of  the  whole  town  when  they  attend  thefe  offices 
either  to  enter  or  clear.     The  Eaft  fide  of  the  parade,  or  fquare,  in 
a  line  with  the  barracks,  would  be  a  very  proper  fpot  for  qredting  a 
range  of  building,  to  include  all  thefe  offices;  but  fuch   an  under- 
taking has  been  thought  too  expenfive  for  the  town,  br  the  county 
of  Surry;  and  the  other  two  counties  are  faidto  have  oppofed  ,fuch 
a  fcheme,  from  an  apprehenfion  or  jealouly  that  it  might  one  day 
be  tbnverted  into  a  place  of  refidence  for  the  commander  in  chief. 
Moderate  men,  however,  are  of  a  different  opinion :  they  wifh  to 
fee  a  building  ereiftcd  here,  fo  neceflary  for  the  accommodation  and 
difpatch  of  the  traders ;  and  that  an  exchange,  or  place  convenient 
for  daily  meetings  of  the  merchants,  was  likewife  provided ;  efpe- 
cially  as  no  other  tdwn  of  fuch   extent   and  importance   is  without 
them.     In  proportion  as  the  commercial  fpirit  and  importance  are 
kept  up  among  the  inhabitants,  they  may  be  lefs  inclined  to  leave 

2  the 


BOOK    II.      CHAP.    VIII.  117 

the  walk  of  trade  for  party  and  political  wranglings.     The  erefting 
of  buildings,  which  are  really  appurtenant  to  trade,  wgiild  encou- 
rage that  fpirit,  and  confer  that  impoctaiice.     We   may   illuflrate 
the  argument,  by  fuppofing  what  would  be  the  cafe,  if  no   houfe 
of  refidence  was  provided  for  the  governor,  and  no  fenate-houfc  for 
the  afl'embly.     If  the  former  dwelt  in  a  private  lodging,  and    the 
latter  met  to  tranfadt  all  their  weighty  affairs  in  a  tavern,  or   under 
a  large  tree ;  fuch  degradation  would  be   apt  to  bring   contempt 
upon  the  governmental  powers,  and  leflen  the  reverence  and   efti- 
mation  with  which  they  ought  to  be  regarded.     But  the  ftrongeft 
argument   is,  that,  by   bringing  the    commercial    offices   together 
into   one  certain   fpot,  and    afiigning  a   certain  convenient  place 
where  traders  and  men  of  bufinefs  can  regularly  meet,  to  carry  on 
their  negociations  with  each  other,  all  the  fprings  and  movements 
of  the  commercial  machine  are  kept  in  conftant  exa6t  order,  con- 
fufion  and  delay  are  avoided,  every  thing  goes  on  with  dilpatch  and 
facility.     Trade  muft  have  a  livelier  current,  where  the  clogs  and 
impediments  to  its  free  circulation  are  removed  ;  and  a  great  annual 
faving made  in  point  of  time;  an   article    upon  which   merchants 
neccflarily  fet  the  higheft  value.     In  the  lower  part  of  the  town  is 
a  very   pretty   theatre,   exceedingly  well  contrived,  and   neatly  fi- 
Diflied.     Dramatical  performances  were  exhibited    here  during  the 
laft  war  ;  at  which  time  there  was  a  conliderable  quantity   of  prize 
tnoney  in  circulation  ;  but  in  tirrie  of  peace,  the  town   is  not  able, 
or  not  difpofed,  to  fupport  fo    coftly  an  amufement.     The  taverns 
here  are  large  and  well  fupplied.     In  the  two  principal  ones,  called 
Ranelagh  'and  Vauxhall,  are  long  rooms  for  concerts,    balls,  and 
public   entertainments.     A  new  governor  is  generally  feafted  for 
three  days  fucceffively  in  Spanifh    Town.     Soon  after   which,  he 
makes  a  kind  of  publick  entry  into  Kingfton  ;  where  he    is   again 
regaled  by  the  cuftos,  or  chief  magiftrate  of  the  town,  and  the  reft 
of  the  inhabitants,  who  ufually  make  a  fubfcription-purfe  for  the 
purpofe.     In  thefe  feafons  of  feftivity  there  feems  an  emulation  be- 
tween the  two  towns,  as  if  they  contended  which  (hould  treat  him 
with  the  moft  fplendid  entertainments.    The  tavern  called  Ranelagh 
is  a  large,  lofty  building,  commanding  a  fine  view  of. the  town^ 
harbour,  and  fliipping.     Here  the  balls  and  concerts  are  .ufually  ex- 
hibited; 


ii8  JAMAICA. 

hibited;     and    the  company  are  numerous  and  elegant  in    their 
appearance. 

The  principal  place  for  taking  the  air  is  the  road  leading  to  Rock 
Fort,  which  ftands  about  four  miles  Eaftward  from  the  town ;  and 
mod  of  the  inhabitants  who  keep  carriages  cxercife  here  morning 
and  evening  every  day.     This  fort  is  fituated  at  the  extremity  of 
the  long  mountain,  a  rocky  eminence,  inacceffible  on  this  part, 
where  it  projefts   nearly  into  the  harbour,  leaving  only  a  fmall 
narrow  pafs  at  the  foot,  where  the  fortrefs  is  built.     It  confifts  of 
two  baftions,  mounting  twenty-one  guns  (twenty-four  pounders), 
and  furniftied  with  a  fmall  powder-magazine,  and  other  habiliments 
of  war  neceffary  for  its  defence.     Upon  the  face  of  the  hill  is  a 
little  battery  of  fix  guns,  with  traverfed  lines  that  lead  up  to  it. 
Outfide  the  walls  is  a  wet  ditch,  funk  lower  than  the  furface  of 
the  water  in  the  harbour;  fo  that  it  may  be  occafionally  filled. 
The  fort  is  provided  alfo  with  a  draw-bridge  towards  the  Eaftern 
road;  cafemates,  for  lodging  the  men;  and  a  houfe  for  the  officers. 
It  is  too  fmall  to  admit  a  garrifon  of  more  than  feventy  men  :  ne- 
verthelefs,  governor  Kn — 1— s   was  fo  confident  of  its  ftrength, 
that  he  maintained  it  was  capable  of  {landing  a  fiege  againfl  ten 
thoufand  men.     It  defends  the  accefs  towards  the  town  from  the 
Eaftward,  and  would  undoubtedly  prove  a  great  iecurity  againfi:  aa 
attack  from  that  quarter;  for  the  only  way  leading  to  it  is  narrow^ 
and  confined  a  confiderable  length  in  a  flrait  diredion,  expofed  to 
the  whole  fire  of  the  fort,  without  a  poflibility  of  annoying  it: 
nor  could  trenches  be  formed,  to  carry  on  a  regular  approach,  as 
the  road  is  all  the  way  a  (hallow  fand  cloTe  by  the  water's  edge. 
A  guard  of  fbldiers  is  always  kept  here ;  but  the  fort  is  faid  to  be 
very  unhealthy  to  the  men  and  their  officers.     The  caufe  of  this 
has  by  fome  been  imputed  to  their  drinking  from  a  brackifh  ftream 
which  runs  near  it.     Others  afcribe  it  to  the  extreme  heat  rever- 
berated down  upon  theni  from  the  hill,  which  riies  like  a  wall 
above  the  fort.     And  fbme  have  thought  it  proceeded  from  a  la- 
goon, which  lies  near  the  mouth  of  Mammee  River,  about  three 
miles  to  the  Eaftward.     To  corroborate  the  latter  opinion,  is  al- 
ledged  the  inftance,  mentioned  by  Lind,  of  Whydaw-caftle,  on  the 
coaft  of  Africa ;  which  has  been  rendered  more  unhealthy  than 

the 


BOOK    II.      CHAP.    Vllf.  119. 

the  Ncgroe-town  in  its  neighbourhood  by  a  flight  circumftance  un- 
attended to  at  firft*  It  is  built  on  a  fmall  fpot  of  ground,  which 
the  fea- breezes  cannot  reach  without  pafiing  over  a  little,  inconft- 
derable  brook  of  water,  which  produces  fome  aquatic  plants  always. 
covered  with  a  putrid  flime.  It  is  certain,  from  conftant  expe- 
rience, that  places  adjacent  to  a  foul  fhore,  or  ftagnant  waters, 
near  the  coaft  in  the  Weft-Indies,  are  invariably  unhealthfuL  But, 
whatever  be  the  caufe,  it  deferves  a  minute  enquiry  of  gentlemen 
of  the  faculty,  in  order  to  its  difcovery  ;  to  the  end  that,  if  it 
arifes  from  fome  local  evil,  that  cannot  be  remedied,  the  men  might 
be  lodged  at  night  in  convenient  huts,  erefted  for  them  upon  the 
hill-fide ;  by  which  means  all  of  them,  except  thofe  on  immediate 
duty  in  the  forty  might  enjoy  a  purer  air,  efpecially  in  thofe  hours 
when  a  depraved  air  is  found  to  be  naoft  pernicious ;  for  this  is  a 
poft  of  fo  much  importance  to  the  town,  that  the  men  ftationed 
here  ought  neither  to  be  difheartened  by  apprehenfions,  nor  difabled 
by  (icknefs,  from  doing  their  regular  duty.  The  aflembly  having 
lately  granted  1500/.  for  erefting  barracks  at  this  fort  to  contain 
two  hundred  men;  if  the  fituation  be  properly  attended  to,  the  rer 
fult  will  (hew,  whether  the  unhealthinefs  of  the  garrifon  has  been. 
owing  to  a  peftilent  quality  in  the  air,  or  fomue  other  caufe; 

To  conclude  with  Kingfton*  The  militia  of  this  town,  botb 
horfe  and  foot,  are  well  trained,  uniformly  dueflcd,  and  well  armed^ 
at  their  own  expence*  The  pains  they  take  in  learning  the  neceffary 
manoeuvres,  and  the  charges  to  which  they  are  put  in  their  equip- 
ment, do  great  honour  to  their  public  fpirit,  efpecially  as  moft  of 
them  are  independent  iji  their  circumftauces.  It  is  thought,  that,^ 
upcm  emergency,  they  could  mufter  upwards  of  two  thoufand 
effeflive  Whites;  and  between  four  and  five  hundred  efFe^Slive  free 
Blacks  and  Mulattoes.  The  companies  of  the  latter  caft  are  under 
the  command  of  white  officers,  excellent  in  their  difcipline,  and 
would  probably  do  good  fervice  agaiaft  aa  enemy,  whenever  called 
upon  to  give  proof  of  it. 

The  parifli  contains  no  fugar  plantations,  the  fituation  being  toa 
dry  to  admit  of  any  other  fettlements  than  grafs-penns.  The  fol- 
lowing may  ferve  to  give  fome  idea  of  the  ftate  of  it : 

^  Negroes^ 


t2o  JAMAICA. 

Negroes.  Cattle.  Settlements. 


1734,         3811  48s 

1740,        4534  ^<^7 

1745'         7749  '         828 

1761,         6186 

1768,        5779  9^3  ^         . 

]n  number  of  Negroes  it  appears  to  be  confiderably  reduced;  and, 

indeed,  there  fecms  at  prefent  but  too  much  reafon  for  the  popular 
opinion,  that  this  town  has  paflcd  the  zenith  of  its  glory,  having 
loft  two  fuch  capital  fupports  of   its  trade,    as  the   Negroc-con- 
trafts  with  the  Spaniards,  and  the  coafting-intercourfe  with  Spanifli 
South-America ;  in  which  it  ufcd,  a  few  years  ago,  to  employ  a 
great  number  of  fmall  veflels.     It  is  likewi(e  feldom  vilited  by  the 
fmall-craft,  which   ufed  formerly  to  croud  hither  in  fhoals,  laden 
with  bullion  and  other  valuable  articles.     So  that  it  has  at  prefent 
very  little  bufinefs  but  what  concerns  the  home-confumption  of 
the  ifland ;  on  which  account,  feveral  of  the  merchants  have,  fince 
the  commencement  of  peace,  betaken  themfelves  to  planting;  as  a  • 
more  gainful  employ  than  trade  carried  on  under  the  prefent  di- 
ftrefled  circumftances.     War^  fo  fatal  to  fome  ftates,  has  ever  been 
the  beft  friend  of  this  town,  by  augmenting  the  confumption  and 
demand   of   merchandizes;    by  filling  it  with  new  acceffions  of 
people  and  wealth ;  and   by  laying  opea  that  profitable  traffic  in 
thefe  feas  which  in  time  of  peace  is  too  ftriftly  watched.     From 
the  earlieft  fettlement  of  this  ifland,  its  trade  was  ever  mofl:  flou- 
siftiing  while  war  fubfifted  with  the  Spaniards;  which  has  admi- 
niftered  fuch  conftant  opportunities  of  (haring  in  their  gold  and 
iilver,  as  well  by  private  commerce  as  by  open  hoftility.     For  this 
reafon,  their  proverbial  faying  of,  "  Peace  with  England,  and  war 
^*  with  all  the  reft  of  the  world,"  was  not  ill-founded.     Yet  I  ven- 
ture to  hope,  that,  by  fleadily  cultivating  a  better  correspondence 
with  the  free  Indians  on  the  Southern  continent,   the  trade  of  this 
town  is  very  capable  of  receiving  a  vaft  enlargement;  which  may 
efFeftually  preferve  it  from  decay,  and  make  it  lefs  dependent  on  a 
ftate  of  war  for  its  fupport. 

In  this  town  are  two  houfes  for  refining  fugar ;  but  the  quantity 
they  annually  confunne  in  this  manufadure  J  am  not  informed  of. 

The 


puted  at"  four  hundred^  ^oj;^.V|pivaxaSj.^^ one  year  with  another. 
Whence  it  will  appear  to  be  (liU  a  plac^^of  very  great  im£Wt  and  ex- 
port.    For    maintaining  the  harbour^  ^vgral  very  exrellent  provi- 

fions  have  beeiupa^e. ^^i^alljie^ra^JI^i^on  anyrperfonlaR        ma- 

rer^l,„or  krtl,|/r5jp^tb{:rf it  of .  j^^SfM?! 
forms  ^  b^r/ier,  bctweni^it  ^nd  the  "^^V"  ,^%i,^ 

who  may  riirpw  rubbiffi  or  bailaft''into  tti'e"har^l 
.-  .  ,<)/-ii.rn3i,  3ip.  y-i  ovgH  I  iz  ,i':*r."i  "di  lul- 
ls, prpperiy  -maiked;  and, the.  pilots  under  good 

in  oriler  to  prevent  diiorderty  mooring  of,  the' mi: 

ine.foyowmsLinanner.:  ,    ,    ,  _.  _,      i-,:^^  i    ■     >    ■> 

t)n',  a'fl 'Ive^ls..  arrlvinff'Tron?  the    NbrthWaccPof  itie^trop?J''^<^ 

,    .:Uv  bii:  "5  lin    ;i^  HE  II!  or.. I  T.J7  OHO  tii  ii  ni  :.:d  aTqc-raiom 

....  ,     -    ■       Cancer ;  ■  ...       n  .      . 

.  t':j '_  rii.„  10  ei  u«oJ  sfii  I;fis  ;  I:oi^i;:^X;^"iCt>  ne  si  eiii^  lua  .03m'i1  tii 

■  ■ ',  i'  -   --■  ,  ■'■  la~-'.'.-:-j  ,;;:■'-    !■.  ri:-:u"?  3    "■:i!j  -''jl-'m/^it'ihum  L';r.u3-:--J 
,    I  Three  malts,  .'. --—  15  ,,0 

"rie,-  iupjv,  or  bilanoer,,  , — w-  10,   x> 

SlfTOD,  jaud  ichogner.  . — —, ,  7-    0,   .  ^       *  .     , 

And.  on  all  vefleK  Gorning  from'tetweeiuheHrob/cs,  one  liarf  tAi 

a}>0VG.A-&\^i^e;^^-Spt^cp.f}f.u\^^^^^\5^,^^^  each» 

payable  ey,erythr?e'pQulbs-     Tjh^  ^onte^  ttriSng  from  1 " 

is  applLed-.toth^j^ibblifhmeiji^C^^^jj^tp^^-bi^jiff';  .vvKpfe.t 

to  f^e^ha,^  aU  th/s^j^drel^§Xj;t^^;,rnQOj^jilg^,p:rog^^ 

cw>fi&itMW- ;;  It ;fecras,_,ljiQwje]^]f,^^^^ij^f^  i«y^o.i=^.9^5?  'f^i*^ 

ditional  logdi^fi9^i  ^Cj  jfluppjing.  th^t .  ■frtit^.^y;  jjiis  port, ,  1 

th^other.Dom  of  ^jiflfin4;V?if4?fflfif''i^ ':  e|peci?lly  as  a  verj  mo-. 

derate  addition  to  their  annual  j)ar;(h-tax  rQigytn  haveanfwered  the 

purpofe.    The  church-wardens  of  this' town  ara  incorporated,  for 

the  better  management  of  every  thing   relative  to  the   parochial 

taxes;    the  markets  and  i^reet^arj  ;tti<i^i'  ^^^   regulation  of  the 

juftices  and  vcftry  ;  the  market  for  butchers  meat  is  moft  plentifully 

fuppHed ;  and  the  fifh-marj^etir  V'hich  is  kept  every  day  from  eight 

in  the  morning  till  two  in  the  afternoon,  is  fuperior  to  mofl  in  the 

world,      J        ..  ,,  .-       .  .    .  ■       . 

Jt  is. iropa^ble  ta,,afo?5^a^n.-'Wi,th  .prccjfipn*  either  the  'n^mbftr 

of  the  .inhabitants,  :6r,l^^-fla.tejqfhcai^|i,  from  tha  uutnber  of  ;bii- 

riai8,;.bec|iufe  many. feam<}n aiyi  ^caogers.  jvho  die.  are  'confoiiii^ed 

witii tbel t.9,wn*s pe.opic,         ^    '.  '         '.   '  ,  .1     . 

■  -Youn/     ■'"  "'  ■ ''''  "ft''  '  ■  '  -^^-  ■  '   ■     ,Tfi^ 


lU  ■     J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

The  numbed  of  births  and  deaths  for  /even  years  to  the  year  1771 
was  a$  folip^rs  r 

Born 988. 

Oicd         — ■  2085. 

Dea:ths  exceed  the  births  — ;  1097. 
Tfiie  thermometrical  heat  df  this  town  is  greater  than  thatofSpa- 
n'ifh  T6wa,-iugeaer^  about' three  degrees i^pon  themedturia.   The 
air  is  Icfs  el^ftic ;  and  the  water,  as  1'  hav6  'fccforfe  rehjsirked,  is  ia 
general  of  fcad  quality.     From  what  has  been  premifed,  it  may  bft 
concluded,  that  iris  not  by  any  means  fo  tiedlthfuL    Son^e  have- 
gone  fo  far  as  to  compare  ili:o  a  large  horpital  ;  and  to  zSetit,  that 
more  people  diem  it  in  one  year  than  in  all  the  tcR  of  the  ii^ud. 
in  three.  But  ,this  is  an  exaggeration ;  and  the  town  is  of  late  years 
become  much  healthier  than  it  formerly  was,  when  the  mountain- 
ous trafts  neareft  to  it  were  coveredT  with  woods,  which  have  iince 
been  pretty  well  cleare3"and  laid  open,  and ,  the'  lagooo- water  more 
freely  carried  offi  b_y  jciilFivatirig  the  Scot'eh  ^fafs,  ^nd  cutting. 
■'*'^_-_-'j  i!__-  t„r*  ts:;.gj,^  "  The  removal  'b^l'th'ote  annoyances,  which, 
fe  upon  enftring  the'lfow'iB'ih-thB'rflotning,.  to--  * 
rfbrcing  of  fdme    ortiet'/'iyctary  'regulations^ 
:ributyt*ai  ittiake  thfe.dii' ftiJI' ttibrt  favoUrdblfe  to^ 
mahy  here»  wBofe  ccftiftitdtions  by  Jong  hab^ 
)  Attain  to.a  g6od  ti'*  k^/'iWtwiilhftirAding  ihh. 
it'cdfaut;.-buf,  in  geHbrafi  it  itfiift-bfe' dlte^*,. 
i  {6  pViipitttt^if^a  ihe-'htfaftfe-  of  '^cfflais:  ncw% 
aKrivedrrom.JbTurope  ire  tm^VbeiBlhicd-.;'  '    '■     V  '  "      '     '  '"  '"' 


s^.;  A,'iii^^bB=t''«r.;' 


THrS  parifli,  is-  bounded'  on.theEaft  by  the  parifli,  of  Pbrt 
koy  al, '  an  Jpari  'o!f  St'.  feVid: ;  (^  ih^  Weft;  ^}f  piiii  oif;  St.  fhibas . 
jaWeVdIeV  ahdSl.TCatlianne;  'otttft'eteihi  by  part  of  St.Ahhi^,, 
and^t:  'feiary ;  ahd  Kn  ih'e  SomU,  by  the- harbour  iod  pairilh  bf 
^igfton.     it  is  w.atercd  with  fourtceji  riVersi,  dife  pHnciiAlt  '6f 

Whidi 


BOOK  i^.  :  cHAf>.   viir  123 

ivhich  are,  the  Wagwater,  which  empties  itfelf  into  the  fea  pi^  the 
North,  fide,  after  a  courfe  of  ahclut  thirty  miles ;  the  Hope,  which 
erodes  thet  Eaft  fide ;  the  Pecko,  which  eaters  St.  Thomas  in  the 
Vale  on  the  Weft  ;  and  the  Sak,  which  falls  into  the  harbour  ou 
the  North* w:eft  part  of  Hurrt's  ]5ay»  The  North-,  weft  anglo  of  the 
boundary- line  terminates  at  ^  large  cotton -free,  on  the  fnmmit  of 
tihiJUj  from  which  there  is  a  diftant  yiew,  in  clear  weather,  of  the 
iea  on  the  North  and  South  (ide^  of  the  ifland. 

The  Salt  River  rifes  about  three  miles  above  Hunt's  Bay,  and  is 
joined  \>y  the  Lagoon  River,  which  divides  this  parish  from  St, 
Catharine,  and  whofe  fourc«  is  about  two  miles  further  inland. 
Both  thcfe  rivers  are  crofted  with  bridges  in  the  way  leading  to 
Spani/h  TowQ-  The  Salt  River  Bridge  has  a  toll-gate,  granted 
to  the  proprietor  j  in  coniideration  of  which,  he  is  obliged  to  keep 
them,  t<^etber  with  about  one  mile  of  the  road,  in  good  repair, 
and  to  maintain  a  ferry-boat  at  the  crofting  of  Rio  Gobre,  for  the 
accommodation  of  paftengers  when  that  river  is  flooded.  The£e 
rivers  are  navigated  by  flat- bottomed  barges  and  canoes,  which  are 
chiefly  ufed  for  tranfporting  grafs,  wood,  and  lime,  to  the  town  of 
Kxngfton.  A  large  trad  of  lagoon  lies  between  their  ftreams ; 
great  part  of  which,  having  been  drained  by  cuts,  which  carry 
off  the  water  into  the  rivers,  is  converted  into  good  pafture* 
ground;  and  that  which  is  more  fwampy  bears  the  Scotch  graf^ 
very  luxuriantly.  The  road,  leading  from  the  bridge  towarda 
Kingfton^  is  for  about  a  mile  extremely  romantic :  on  one  fide  is  z 
range  of  fteep,  rocky  mountain,  which  fcarcely  admits  of  room 
flifficieDl:  for  carriages  to  pafs  at  the  foot  of  it ;  on  the  other  fide  is 
a  branch  of  the  Salt  River,  fed  here  and  there  with  fmall  rivulels 
oozing  from  the  bottom  of  the  mountain.  This  water  is  e}tceed« 
ingly  brackiih  ;  but  it  aftbrds  good  water-crefs,  and  plenty  of  fifh^ 
This  prey  invites  the  alligators ;  which  are  laid  to  abound  here^ 
though  rarely  feen  by  any  except  the  Negroes  who  navigate 
upon  it. 

The  village  of  Half-way  Tree  is  fituated  a  little  more  than  two 
miles  North  from  Kingfton,  at  the  interfedion  of  the  three  roads 
which  lead  to  Spanifti  Town,:  to  St.  Mary,  and  St.  George*  Thi^ 
villa^  efi^ys,  with  a  good  air,  the  moft  agreeable  vie w&    Behind 

R  a  are 


124  J    A'  IW  '  A    V    G    A. 

are  the'majeftit:  Blue  Mountains;  rifiiigabove  one  another  in  gradii^ 
tion,  till  th^y  feem  to  touch  the  clouds :  on  each  fide,  lively  fields 
of  canes,  intermixed  with  elegint  villas  and  paftures :   in  fronts 

*      *  ^ 

the  harbours  of  Kingfton  and  Port  Royal,  cro\fc^ded  with  (hipping^ 
fome  at  anchor,  others  ply i«g  in  various  direftions:  beyond  thefc,. 
the  Healthfhire  hills  in  St.  Catharine,  gradually  declining  towards 
Old  Harbour :  and,    laftly,    the  horizon  clofing  on  the  beautiful 
azure  of  the  ocean,     A  number  of  little  grafs-penns,  with  gooct 
houfes  on  them,   are  difperfed  about  the  neighbourhood,  chiefly 
the  property  of  merchants  in  Kingftoiv,  who  occafionally  rettFe  to. 
them  from  the  hurry  of  bufinefs.     Biit  its  chief  ornament  i^  a*  very 
magnificent  houfe,  ere<SVed.  here  a  few  yeais-  {kice  by  Mr.  Pinnock  ;; 
which  may  vie,  in  the^legance  of  defign,  and  exceHericeof-  work- 
manlhip,  with  many  of  the  beft  country-feats  in  England;     The 
ftone  uled  about  this  fabrick  was  brought  from  the  Hope  river* 
eourfe:  it  is  far  more  beautiful  than  the  Portland,  and  of  a  clo(ei» 
and  finer  grain.     The*  mahogany-work  and  ornaments  within  have 
been  juftly  admired  ft>r  their  Angular  bfeaut^,  being,  as  I  am  in- 
formed,  feleftfed  with  great  expcnce,     Haif-way  Tree  has  a  fmall,. 
but  very  neat  church,  with  a  towcH  and  organ*     The  emoluments, 
of  the  reftory,  arifing  principally  from  fix  hundred  acres  of  richi 
glebe-land^  leafed  advantageoufly  to  ibme  plantets,  are  fa  id  to  be 
about   1400/.  per  annum.     The  ftipend  being  only  200/.  of  thi9> 
country  money,  it  may  eafily  beJAidged  that  die  glebe  is  extrenaely 
valuable;,  aud  this  is  therefore  confideted  as  the  bett living  in  the 
governor's  prefentation*:.  .Some  years  ago,  there  ,was   a.  regular 
weekly  aflembly  held  here  j- hut  it:  has  fmce  been  difcontinued,  till 
litelyV  ^wben  it  was  revived!,,  and  thought  inferior  to  none  in  the 
ifland;j    'trh©  villagb' cotttaixis    about,  twelve  or  fourteen  houfes* 
•I^artiilg  <5.ft«f/qni  hence. to   the. N4orth ward  iabout  /tivo ' miles,   along 
^road  offeafy  fi&ent,  wecometo  the  foot  of  the  Liguanea  Mouur 
tains :  thefe  arecthe  firft  ftepB  leadiug  up  to  that  vaft  pile  of  moun? 
tains  which   range  through   the  ifland  from    Eaft  to  Weft,     The 
•foremoft  ace  (rf'rfloldejafa  :hcight, .  febviDg 'as   natural  buttreffes  to 
fuftain^he^  !Wt*r1orf and. more  maiSve,  .  As  we  proceed,  they  feem 
to  i«cr9af^iWviha:giikiidq.ai!id  elevation,  till  we  arrive  at  the  Wgheft 
of  all,'  callcdith^  Bioe  Mountain  Ridged.    The  Xoil  on  their  South 

'  .:  :'  afpedt 


BOOK    IL     CHAP.     VIII.  125 

dfy^Qt  is  in  general  a  red  clay ;  but,  In  other  parts,  it  is  of  a  coarfert 
friable  texture,  and  intermixed  with  fmall  ft  ones,  or  a  fort  of  grit. 
Where  they  have  b$en  cleared  of  wood,,  and  cultivated,,  their  in«* 
fertiUty  has  been  promoted  by  heavy  rains  wafhing  down  the  finer 
mould.  From  Kingfton  they  appear  of  a  reddifli  caft,  interfjperfed 
with  verdure  here  and  there,  and  furrowed  with  innumerable  gullies^ 
feme  of  which  are  very  deep;  and  at  this  diflance  they  refemble 
veryinuch  the  South  aipedl  of  the  Madeira  ifland.  The  road  af- 
€ending  into .  thefe  lofty  regions  is  in  general  fleep  and  irregular^ 
incapable  of  admitting  wheel  carriages.  The  journey  is  therefore 
performed  on  horfe-back.  But  it  is  not  dangerous,  except  in  one 
part,  where  the  road  paftes  along  a  precipice,  and  is  formed  ou 
wooden  ftakes  driven  into  tlie  fide,  of  the  mountain,  and  well  co« 
vered  with  crofs  timbers  and  earthy,  which  make  a  kind  of  geome- 
trical bridge..  But  this  is  of  no  great  length;  and^  being  kept  in 
good  repair,  it  feems  to.  be  accompanied  with  mor^  of  horror  than 
of  real  periL  Afcending  higher,  vaft  numbers  of  the  larger 
fwifts  are  feen  Ikimming  over  the  mountain-tops  with  great  velo- 
city; and,  ibmetimes  they  whiz,  along,  fa  near  the  traveler's  head, 
uttering  their  flirill  cries,  as  tp  ftartle  him,  if  he. is  unprepared*. 
The  bull-finch's  notes  are  more  entertaining:  they  are  very  Angular, 
and  of  a  melancholy  air.  The  beautiful  forked-tail  papilio  flies 
are  feen  in  fwarms-;  they  generally  keep  together,  flitting  in  a  di- 
rection with  the  wind  ;,  they  feem  eveno^i  the  wing,  and.  fbmetin^es 
venture  to  fbar  above  the  higheft  pitch  of  thefe  mountains..  In  this 
part  of  the  country  there  is  nof  appearance  of  lime-ftonc,;  The 
ftone  qbferved  here  is  brittle  and  crumbling,  .difpofed  in  lamina-y. 
turns  black  in  the  fke,  and  will  not  ferment  with  atjpia  fonts.. 
The  lime  made  ufe  of  is  manufa^Slured  from  incruftations,  which, 
are;  fpupd  in.fufficieut  abundance,.  The  trees,  for  thei.  moft  parr^ 
are  (lender  and  ftunted;  many  of  them  are  enveloped  with  mofs^ 
and  others  entirely  killed  by  it,.  This  covering  makes  them  appear 
at  a  fmall  diftance  as  if  they  were  frofted  over;  and  the  coldnefs  of 
the;  air  n9tur.ally  caufes  this  .deception  on  firft  arriving'  from  the- 
glow  of  heat  which  bropds  over  the  lowlands  about  Kingftoo; 
'fhethernaometerhere,  in  general,  was  at  fixty  and  fixty-five  degrees 
iji  tjae^middle  of  the  day  in  July;  while  it  rofe  to  eighty-fix.  and 

ninety 


ia6  JAM    A    I    C    A^ 

ninety  m  Kiiigft^ot).  ^  The  ground  on  the  elevated  fpoff  feels^  apd 
yields  to  the  tread,  like  a  neur  carpet ;  it  is  coated  all  oirer  with  A 
deep  mofs.  The  parts  I  fpe^k  of  are  adjacent  to  Mr^  Adamses  boufe ; 
for  the  Blue  Mountain  Rid^e  appeared  from  this  place  as  much 
higher  as  this  ieemed  to  be  above  the  low  lands.  Every  evening 
9  vapour  defcends  from  thefe  fummits  towards  the  vales  bet^ 
low,  and  probably  adds  ibme  ftrength  to  the  landtwind,  whieh  fets 
from  this  quarter  afcer  fun-iet.  In  the  morning  the  fog  ri&s,  and 
feems  to  creep  in  a  regular  train  to  the  higher  grounds ;  ib  that,  for 
a  great  part  of  the  day,  it  continues  ^  thick,  as  to  give  the  air  a  chill, 
even  at  nocm,  equal  to  what  is  felt  here  be£E>re  i^n-fi(e»  Where 
it  is  more  broken  and  difperfed,  fo  as  to  admit  the  felar  rays  to 
pafs  freely,  warm  ftearas  immediately  begin  to  be  exhaled ;  and 
che  mofly  ground  feels  to  the  hand  like  a  hot  bed.  Upon  arriving  at 
the  eminence,  whereon  Mr.  Adams*s  houfe  is  built,  a  very  beautiful 
fcenery  greets  the  view.  Below  are  feen  the  richly-eultivated  vale 
of  Liguanea,  the  harbours  of  Kingfton  and  Port  Royal,  and  great 
part  of  St.  Catharine,  and  St.  Dorothy.  On  a  fudden,  the  whole 
is  excluded  from  fight  by  a  denfe  cloud,  interpofing  itfelf  like  a 
magnificent  curtain.  In  a  moment  afterwards,  the  curtain  breaks 
here  and  there  in  diferent  parts,  admitting  only  tranfient  glances ; 
but,  when  withdrawn  entirely,  a  moft  luxuriant  and  extenfive 
landfchape  opens,  animated  with  the  full  iplendor  of  fun-fliine. 
In  front  are  cane-fields  of  the  livelieft  verdure,  paftures,  and  little 
villas  intermixed  I  the  towns  and  ports  of  Kingfton  and  Port 
Royal ;  the  ihipping  fcattered  in  different  groups ;  the  forts,  the 
hills  of  Healthfliire,  the  rocky  breakers,  and  cayes  whitening  with 
the  furge ;  and,  beyond  thefe,  a  plain  of  ocean  extending  to  the 
Southern  hemifphere*  To  the  Weftward  are  feen  the  gliftning 
meanders  of  theCobre;  the  town  of  St  Jago  de  la  Vega ;  the  bay 
of  Old  Harbour ;  and  a  vaft  champaign  of  fertile  country,  termi« 
nated  by  the  lofty  range  of  Carpenter's  Mountains,  at  fixty  miles 
diftance^ 

Thefe  objeas  form  all  together  a  very  pleafing  combination.  The 
pleafure  which  the  mind  receives  from  contemplating  them  is  con* 
fiderably  heightened  by  the  impenetrable  gloom  of  thick  vapours 
behind,  whij:h  exhibits  a  noble  contraft  to  the  brilliant  pifture  in 

3  front* 


BOOK     TL    CHAF.    VIIL  12; 

6aat^  Another  icene,  not  lefs  magnificent,  though  more  awful, 
AVjfstcady  pteients  itfelf  in  the  hot  months.  The  clouds  aflem- 
bling  about  noon  gradually  thicken^  grow  black,  and  defcend* 
lower ;  till  they  appear  a  fpacious  fea,  clofing  over  and  covering 
the  inferior  objeds  entirefy  from  oor  view.  Soon  afterwards^  the 
vapoury  partictes  begin  to  condenfe  and  fall  in  rain ;  th&  lightning 
fla(he&  with  great  vivacity,  as  it  traveries  along,  in  a  variety  of  an« 
gular  (K  ferpentine  dire^ions*  We  Hear  the  m^eiklc  thunder 
idlling  at  our  feeti  and  reverberated  by  a  tboufand  echoes  among 
the  hills.  This  tumukuous  interlude  continues  until  the  vapours^ 
grovlm  lighter  by  a  plentiful  difcharge  of  their  contentSi  begin  to 
te*d(cetid  and  diiperfe,  climbing  over  the  ftatdy  pinnacles  of  thele 
ibountains^  like  (locks  of  flieep  retiring  haftily  to  their  fold. 

Whenever  the  fog  breaks  or  difperfes  about  noon,  the  fun-beams 
ftrike  here  tvith  more  power  than  would  have  been  imagined  at  ib 
great  Ah  Elevation*  But  the  m^{fy  covering  of  the  ground,  whicbi 
is  adapted  to  imbibe  the  wofrmrh  imprefied  upon,  it  by  every  ftrong 
gleam>  ted  the  fudden  variations  in  the  feniible  ftate  of  the  at- 
moQ>hert»  by  the  interpo(ition  of  recefs  of  thefe  vapours,  doubtleis 
TtffkOt  a  pirlbn  here  in  like  mann^i*  as  the  fudden  tranHtion  iiv 
Ehglaiid  from  a  cold,  raw  air  ihto  a  heated^  dofe  apartment*.  T-he 
£tHe  pike,  from  vs^hence  the  moft  agreeable  view  is  taken,  is  abou£ 
Jkikt  t  mile  frotn  Mr.  Adamses  houfe,  and  named  Catharine.  HilU. 
ni  honour  of  governor  Moore's,  lidy*  who  had  the  curiofity  to  pay 
k  a  Vifit  in  the  year  1760.  This  hill  is  not  much  lefs  than  a  mile 
pftrperidifcular  height  abdve  thl^  level  of  the  fea«  The  walk  to  it 
fititti  the  houfe  is  not  in  the  h^fk  incommodious  <m  accbunt  of  hear, 
•9to  in  the  middle  of  the  day..  Who  peregrinates  into  thefe  Xr- 
gdSM<k)^§  «v<^y  frefh  afcetit,  however  ffaorty  afibrding  iu)t  only  a. 
s^  ftth  but  a  bew  jfibene  o(  nature,  in  regard  to  its  profped,  its 
]^M§,  bid  bHitiiiak..  The  bkds>  the  fi£h,  and  infefb,  are  manjir 
4f  tbeil>  tdtatiy  different  from  thofe  We  meet  ivlkh  in  the  lower  fir 
llitttiotl!»r  a^  the  face  of  things  carries  folitde  {imilitudehi  apf- 
pbiA'AhMi  to  what  coaimonly  occurs  in,  other,  parts  of  the  i(land> 
^il  Ml^  f^itfiMi  6)  have  been  trai;rrpbrtsed  by  £omt  tmgic  vehicle  itijbQ 
1t:JS)k^  i6u}k»y.  This  obfervation^  hbtds^  it  is  true,  in  ioertaia 
i^reSt,  ^th  iifptCt  likevrife  to  Jbmi  other  diftrias  of  Jamaica  | 

''for 


laS  JAMAICA. 

for  the  Eaft  and  Weft  ends,  and  the  North,  North^eaft,  and  North* 
weft  fidest  are  almoft  as  diffimilar,  in  the  afpe£l  of  the  countrj,' 
the  weather,  the  plants,  birds,  and  infedls,  as  if  they  belooged^to 
as  many  differently  fituated  iflands.  There  are,  neverthelefs,  fe- 
vcral  to  be  met  with  in.  thefe. mountains  of  the  fame  fpecies  as  in 
other  parts.  The  ring-tailed  pigeons  frequent  them  in  great  num- 
bers: they  are  feen  conftantly  on  the  wing,  and  generally  darting 
along  the  fogs,  which  it  is  imagined  they  involve  themfekes  in, 
the  better  to  conceal  their  flight.  There  are  found,  befidcs,  a  fmall 
martin,  the  whole  upper  parts  of  whofe  plumage  are  of  a  glofly,, 
golden  green,  the  inferior  parts  white;  fwifts,  whofe* upper  plu-> 
mage  is  black,  except  a  ring  of  white  encircling  the  neck,  apd  the- 
parts  below  entirely  white ;  blue-finches  ;  dark-brotvn  thruih^S;;; 
wood-peckers  of  various  kind^ ;  black-birds  of  the  merops  fp^c^r^s; 
blue-fparrows ;  long  and  Hiort-tailed  humming-birds ;  blue,  and 
wd-throat  bu  11* finches  ;  black  and  orange- coloured  b.uU*^|ipches, 
and  brown  petrils  :  the  latter  are  faid  to  be  very  numerous  pa  tJtie: 
higher  parts  of  the  Blue  Mountains,  Where  they  breed  in  hoks 
made  in  the  earth.  In  the  rivulets  are  found  a  fqualid,  yellowi 
fucking-filh,  and  the  large  common  and.  hog-nofed  frefl^-wacer 
mullets*  Of  the  quadruped  reptile  clafs,  are  the  comtnpir).  grey« 
lizard,  a  fmall  tree-frog,  a  fmall  galli-wafp,  and  rats  in  abi}ndaog^:i{ 
Of  the  infeft  tribe,  here  are  a  fpecies  of  crickets,  which  cUirp  j^ilj^q 
birds  on  the  approach  of  the  ev^jiing-dufl^ ;  a  great  variety  of  p^W 
pilios  and  curculios,  fome  of  the  latter  grepn  and  gold,  others  grey  >{ 
a  targe,  black  and  yellow-ftriped  humble-bee;  a  fly. of  the  can- 
tharides  kind ;  red  and  ftinging  at)ts ;  •  wafps ;  a  beautiful,  long 
forked  tail  butterfly,  of  a  copperilh  and  green  h^ue.  Of  planit$:9(0 
obferved  a  prodigious  variety  of  ferns,  and  a  ftiUgtc^erof.mQ^^ 
black  and  bill-berry  buihes  in  abundance,  Urge  and  .flouriflii|^s 
the  wild-rforrel ;  wild  garden- mint,  or. mentba  vulgaris;  m^ffiYPf^ 
aromatic  herbs  and  ihrubs.  The  juniper *cedar,  agnus  Scytbicus^  an4 
a  yellow  timber- tree,  called  here  Mulatto^^wood,  are  like^i^  V^iry 
common,  except  the  firft-mentioned ;  it  had  a  much  (Irongcf  {bent| 
and  the  wood  of  it  was  of  a  deeper  red  than  the  kind  gea$rally( 
met  with..  The  wild-fbrrelis  as  common  as  tn  j^ngland^;  aad-^h^ 
gardea^mint  srows  in  wide-ipreading  tufts  along;  the,: fide  of  th^ 

road ; 


BOOK    11.      CHAP.    VIII.  129 

road ;  perhaps  it:  has  been  propagated  from  £>me  plant,  either  ca-» 
iualijr  dropped,,  or  put  in  by  de£ga  ;  but  it  is  remarkable,  that  it 
grows,  though  in  a  very  flerile  foil,  as  luxuriantly  as  we  find  it  in 
any  Englifli  garden.  The  bill-berries  are  chiefly  fcen  on  the 
higher  enunences ;  but  they  are  ejsceedingly  numerous  in  fuch 
fpots ;  and  the  black-berries  not  at  all  different  from  thofe  of  Eng-* 
land^  either  in  fize,  or  the  mawkifh  fweetnefs  of  their  taile.  Cock-> 
roaches  were  not  expe^Sled  to  be  feen  here :  it  is  true,  they  are  very 
fcarce ;  and,  1  incline  to  believe,  not  aborigines  of  a  region  fo  un-^ 
fultable  to  their  nature,  from  its  coolnefs ;  but  probably  brought 
hither  from  Kingfton  in  fotne  of  the  packages  of  bottled  liquor,  or 
provifions^  which  it  is  ufual  for  the  parties  to  take  with  them,  who 
vifit  this  retreat  for  the  fake  of  health  or  curiofity.  That  the  ftate 
of  the  atmofphere  is  generally  very  cool,  I  think  there  caii  be  no 
doubt,  (ince  it  has  been  found  fo  in  the  month  of  July ;  and  I  have 
been  informed,  that,  during  the  other  hot  months,  the  difference 
between  the  thermometer  here  and  at  Kingflon  is  commonly  twenty 
to  thirty  degrees.  The  birds  that  were  (hot  did  not  begin  to  fmell 
till  after  the  fourth  day.  A  North  wind  almofl  conftantly  blows, 
and  fometimes  with  great  violence,  when  the  vapours  far  below 
are  failing  along  with  an  Eafterly  breeze,  and  the  fhips  (landing  in 
for  the  harbour  with  that  breeze  right-aftern.  The  tranfition  from 
the  heated  air  of  the  low  lands  caufes  the  chill  to  be  the  more  fen- 
fibly  felt  by  thofe  who  remove  to  this  elevation;  the  fenfation 
therefore  is  not  at  all  wondeiful.  A  fire  is  found  necefl'ary,  even  in 
Julygsin  the  evening ;  and  fbme  perfons  have  hardly  been  able  to  keep 
themfelves  warm  enough  in  bed  with  two  blankets.  The  butter, 
which  at  Kingfton  was  in  a  liquified  ftate,  became  fo  £rm  in  one 
night's  time,  that  a  knife,  ftuck  into  it,  lifted  the  faucer  in  which 
ibme  of  it  had  been  put.  But  the  coldnefs  of  the  air  is  chiefly  di- 
flreffing  to  the  Negroes  and  horfes ;  they  quickly  grow  fluggifh  and 
-miferable ;  the  latter  in  particular,  although  ftimulated  by  extreme 
thiril^  have  been  known  to  refufe  tafling  the  fpring-water  for  (e* 
veral  days,  which  was  perfectly  pure  and  tranfparerit,  but  too 
frigid  for  them,  Exercife  is  attended  with  no  fatigue;  it  ferves 
only  to  keep  the  body  in  a  comfortable  glow.  The  fteep  afcents 
are  climbed  on  foot  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  without  inconve- 
Vol.  IL  S  iiience ; 


136  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

nience ;  the  air  braces  the  tone  of  the  fibres,  renders  the  fpiritst- 
lively,  and  creates  an  immoderate  appetite  for  food,  which  unfor- 
tunately is  not  here  in  fuch  abundance  as  to  be  proportionate  to  the 
demands  for  it-  Hence  it  may  be  fuppofcd,  that  frofts  are  frequent 
on  the  Blue  Mountain  fummits  during  the  winter  months,  as 
fome  have  pofitively  afferted  [w\  Thofe  fummits  have  been  ex- 
plored by  very  few  perfons;  the  air  at  fuch  a  height  is  almoft  too 
pure  for  human  refpiration^.  I  have  been  informed  that  fome  Ne* 
groes  died  in  paffing  over  them^  fome  years  ago,  before  the  paci- 
fication was  made  with  the  rebek  in  this  ifland..  Thefe  fummits . 
are  bare  of  trees  and  fhrubs,  but  well  covered  with  a  thick  mofs,. 
which  gives  harbour  to  vaft  numbers  of  rats.  In  what  manner 
they  procure  fubfiflence  in  fadreary  a  refidence,  I  have  not  been  able 
to  learn. 

I  muft  not  be  fiFent  on  a  phiaenomenon,  whieh  I  do  not  find  no- 
ticed by  any  writer  of  our  natural,  hiftory.  I  fhould,  however, 
premife,  that,  in  regard  to  the  fadt,  it  was  communicated  to  me  by 
a  gentleman  of  fuch  ftridk  veracity,  as  not  to  admit  a  fhadow  of 
doubt.  He  related  it  as  a  fingukrity  which  he  could  not  readily 
account  for^  but  had  beeia  obfcrved  by  many  perfons. living  near  the 
Yallahs  and  Buff  Bay  rivers.  During  the  months  of  November^ 
December,  January,  and  February,,  when*  little  or  no  rain  falls^ 
feveral  rivulets  of  water  are  obfervcd  to  gu(h  from  the  North  fide 
of  the  Ridges,  which  increafe  and  fwell  the  tide  of  thefe  rivers 
very  confiderably :  but  they  are  not  remarked  at  other  times  of  tha 
year,  even  after  the  heavieft  rains.  The  prodigious  mantle  of  thick 
mofs  which  cloathes  thefe  Ridges,  extending  over  many  hundredsi 
if  not  thoufands  of  acres,  receives  and  imbibes  the  water  that 
almoft  continually  diftils  upon  it  from  the.  vapours  that  brood  over 
their  fummits.  Thefe  rivulets  are  not  feen.  until  after  the  perio* 
dical  Nonth  winds  are  fet  in,  which  ufually  happens  in  the  be- 

[w]  According  to  a  very  accurate  trigonometrical  rrenfuration,  Litely  taken  by  Dr.  Alezanddr- 
M^Kenzic,  aflirtcd  by  Mr.  George  Gauld,  furvcyor  to  his  majeilyy  the  rcfults  were  as  follow;. 

Feet  Height.    Mile. 
Catharine  Hill,  1  above  .the    r         5050     =     i       wanting  230    feet. 

Blue  Mountdn  Summit,      /  fea's  level,    I         7553    =1     ij    ditto        367    dittc 
conferiuently,  the  mereury  in  the- barometer  (agreeably  to  Dr.- Halley's  calculations)  ought  to  (hnd 
on  the  Blue  Mountain  at  about  22  -^^^  inches.^ 

ginning 


B  O  OK    IL      C  HAP.     VIIL  131 

^ginning  of  November ;  and  they  continue  blowing  till  March,  and 
ibmetimes  later^  but  then  grow  more  faint,  and  interrupted  with 
the  South-eaftcrs,  or  fea-breezes.     The  coldncfs  and  violence  of 
thefe  Northerly  winds  muft  be  far  greater  at  fuch  an  elevation  than 
is  ever  felt  below.     The  fun  being  at  the  fame  time  in  its  Southern 
declination,  the  Northern  Hopes  of  the  Ridges  are  (haded  moft  part, 
if  not  all  the  day ;  and  very  little  moifture  can  be  exhaled  from 
them.     Is  it  not  therefore  probable,  that  the  vehement  preffure  of 
thefe  winds^  diredly  againft  the  Northern  afpe£ls,  may  fqueeze  the 
caofly  covering  as  it  were  a  fponge,  fo  that  the  aqueous  particles 
contained  in  it  run    into   cohefion,    and   aiiemble  in  fmall  rills  : 
which,  as  they  trickle  downwards,  are  joined  and  augmented  by 
others,  till  they  form  thofe  larger  rivulets,  which  have  been  ob- 
fervid  to  unite  with  the  currents  below,  that  lie  in  a  convenient 
diredlion  to  receive  them  ?     May  not  the  coldnefs  of  thefe  Norths 
fo  harden  the  fuperficial  foil  of  the  Ridges,  as  to  render  it  Imper- 
vious to  the  humid  particles  lodged  hi  the  raofs ;  though,  in  th^ 
warmer  feafbn  of  the  year,  it  is  fufficiently  open  to  admit  a  free 
percolation  to  all  that  is  not  carried    off  by  the  fun's  exhaling 
power?      The  fea-breeze    has    an    oblique  diredlion   againft   the 
Ridges,  and  therefore,  when  moft  violent,  blows  upon  them  with 
much  lefs  preffure.     It  is  moreover  to  be  confidered,  that  the  mofs 
is  ranker  and  more  luxuriant  on  the   North   afpeds ;  and  the   va- 
pours which  over-hang  them  are,  in  general,  denfer  and  more  con- 
ftant  than  on  the  South  fides.     Whether  the  caufes  I  have  afligned 
are   rational,  or  probable,   muft   be  left  to   the  decifion  of  abler 
philofophers.      That  judicious   and  benevolent   writer.  Dr.  Lind, 
recommends  ftrongly  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  low  lands,  in  this 
and  other  hot  climates,  to  retire  to  a  hilly  or  mountainous  refidence 
at  thofe  times  of  the  year  when  the  heavieft  rains  fall.     By  their 
violence  and  continuance   during  the  Jpace  of  feveral   fucceffive 
ilaySf  the  low  lands  are  faturated  with  water ;  the  exhalations  from 
the  earth  are  morecopious  than  at  other  times ;  and,  if  any  feries 
of  dry  weather   has  preceded  (which  generally  is  the  cafe),  they 
are  more  noxious  to  health.     Add  to  this,  that  the  atmofphere  is 
fultry  and  moift.     Thefe  caufes  difpofe  the  human  body  to  be  af- 
fected with  agues  and  fevers  (and,  of  tliG  latter  cLifs,  the  putrid)^ 

S  z  which 


15^  JAMAICA. 

which  chiefly  affault  pcrfons  newly  arrived  from  a  cold  Northern 
climite.     There  is  no  country  in  the   torrid  zone  better  furnifhed 
tlian  Jamaica  with  retre<(ts  of  this  kind ;  the  hills   being  fcattered 
every  where  very  liberally  near  the  coaft,  and  univerfally  healthful. 
The  inhabitants  of  Spanilh  Town  have  the  neighbouring  Red  Hills; 
the  people  of  Kingfton  are  near  the  Liguanea  Mountains;  and  in 
every  part  of  thefe  tracts  the  air  is  pure,  temperate,  and  falubrious, 
during  the  whole  year.     The  inhabitants  of  thefe  mountains  not 
only  enjoy  good  health,  but  a  fure  indication  of  it  in  the  frcfhnefs 
of  their  complexions ;  and  they  are   ftrangcrs  to  thofe   deleterious 
diftempers   which  fometimes  ravage  the  towns.    The  barrack  at 
Stoney  Hill  in  this  parifli  affords  a  ftriking  proof  of  the  goodnefs  of 
this  air.     The  company  of  foldiers  quartered  here  were  frefli  from 
Europe,  and  luckily  did  not  halt  long  enough  at  Kingdon  to  con- 
trad  licknefs.     The  whole  garrifbn  continued  in  perfedt  health  (and 
only  one  died,  which  happened,  as  I  was  informed,  by  a  cafualty) 
till  long  after  their  arrival,  when  tHey  were  removed  to  Kingfton ; 
where  probably,  not  more  from  the  change  of  air,  than  the  greater 
facility  of  procuring  fpirituous  liquors,  they  grew  fickly,  and  re- 
duced in  their  number.     No  climate  can  be  more  propitious  to  Eu* 
ropean  conftitutions  than  thefe  elevated  fpotsj  but  the   perfbns  who 
for  the  moft  part  emigrate  to  the  ifland  have   not  any   choice  ot 
place  for  their  future  refidence,  and  of  courfe  they  take  their  chance. 
Yet  I  cannot  but  think,  that  fuch  as  have  weathered  a  feafoning 
in  Kingfton,  and  lived  there  fo  long  as  to  have  it  in   their  power 
to  chufe  an  occaiional  place  of  abode  in  a  more  eligible   iituation 
here,  fliould   confult  their  own  future  health,  and  that  of  others 
fentover  to  their  patronage  and  employment,  and  purchafe  or  rent 
a  fmall  fettlcment  fomewhere  among  thefe  mountains,  to  ferve  for 
a  retreat  during  the  moft  fickly  times  of  the  year.     But  men  edu- 
cated and  engaged  in  the  buftle  of  commerce  are   too  apt  to   de^ 
fpife   thefe  cautions,  as  fpeculati^e  and  chimerical.     Many  are  pre- 
dcftinarians  in  their  way  of  thinking,  and  will  not   ftep  afide   one 
inch  to  avoid  a  falling  rock;  and  others  are  unwilling   to   lofe  a 
fmgle  hour  which  may  be  employed  in  the  purfuit  of  money,  too 
inattentive  to  the  purfuit  of  health,  without  which  their  labours  are^ 
in  refped  to  their  own  enjoyments,  but  vain  and  illufory.    Hence 

it 


BOOK    11.      CHAP.      VIIL  155 

It  happens,  that  we  fee  fo  many  pofting  away  from  the  iflaud  on 
their  laft  legs,  to  perifli  under  the  icy  rigours  of  a  Northern  climate  ; 
who,  by  occafionally  withdrawing  into  the  more  temperate  coolnefe 
of  the  mountains  in  this  ifland,  might  have  remained  in  the  full 
pofleffion  of  good  health ;  or,  on  their  quitting  it  to  re-vifit  their 
native   land,  have  carried  with  them  a  plenitude  of  bodily  vigour, 
as  well  as  opulence.     The  turf  on  the  Ridges  is   fhort,  and   inter- 
mixed with  a  variety  of  wild   aromatic  herbs ;  fo  that  fheep,  but 
particularly  goats,  might  be  pafturec'  on  it  with  great  advantage  to 
the  delicacy  of  their  flefli;  and,  it  is   probable,  their  milk  would 
become  in  feme  degree  medicinal   in  feveral  diforders.     No  ex- 
periment has  yet  been  made  to  adorn  the  naked  pikes  with  fome   of 
the  various  fpecies  of  firs  which  are  fo  common  in  North- America; 
and  from  whence  feeds,  or  young  plants,  might  be  had  in  great 
perfedion,  by  reafon  of  the  (hortncfs  of  the  paflage.     They   have 
great  beauty  as  well  as  utility,  and  would  doubtlefs  thrive  extremely 
well  on  thefe  eminences.     The  few  iettlements  fcattered  here  have 
gardens,  which  produce  almoil  every  fort  of  European  culinary  ve^ 
getables:  thefe,  indeed,  are   cultivated  with  great  fuccefs  at   the 
North-fide  of  the  ifland,  and  in  all  the  interior  parts.     I  have  feen 
a  piece  of  ground  in  one  of  the  North  fide  parifhes.fowed  with  cab* 
bage-feed,  immediately  after  the  wood  had  been  cleared;  and  the 
plants  it  produced  were  beyond  all  comparifon  much  larger,  firmer., 
and  better  flavoured,  than  any  1  have   ever  met  with  in  England* 
I  have  feen  quince-trees  in  a  garden  at  01.d  Woman's  Savanivah,  in 
Clarendon,  which  bore  very  fine,  large  fruit ;  but  the  a|)ple-trees 
do  not  produce  any  where  fo  well  as  in   the  Liguanea  Mountains: 
in  the  lower  parts  of  the  ifland  they  fhoot  too  much  into  wood,  and 
their  fruit  degenerates;  in  thefe  mountains,   they  appear  to  fruftify 
befl  on  the   highefl  iites.     The   American  and  European    peachy 
nectarine,  and  apricot,  with   feveral  fpecies    of  plumbs,    the  raf- 
berry,  ft rawberry,  and  mulberry,  would  hardly  fail  here,  if  planted 
in  fituations  open  to  the  fun,  and  fheltered  from  the  violence  of  the 
North   winds.     I    have    tafted   neftarines    which  were  produced 
in  the  Vale  of  Luidas,  in  St.   John^s.     They  were  fmalU  biit  re* 
tained  all  the  delicious  flavour  peculiar  to  that  fruit.     They   would 
certainly  fucceed  better  in  fome  part  of  thefe  mountains,  where  the 

general 


134  JAMAICA. 

general  flate  of  air  is  found  to  approximate  nearcfl:  to  that  of  the 

Southern  provinces  of  Europe. 

The  account  I  have  given  of  thefe  .mountains  is,  I  confefs,  veiy 
imperfed ;  no  perfon,  I  believe,  has  hitherto  vifited  them  with  the 
profefled  defign  of  examining  all  their  natural  produdions,  or  ob- 
. raining  a  regular   information    of  the    temperature   of   their   at- 
-mofphere  throughout  the  year,  or  of  afcertaining  their  licight  by 
^accurate  barometrical  obfervations.     Talks  of  this  fort  are  referved 
for  men  who  are  at  entire  leifure  from  the  avocations  of  bufiaefs 
and  office ;  and  who,  to  the  incentives  of  a  laudable  xuriofity,  can 
join  all  the  abilities,  both  of  genius  and  fortune,  that  are  neceflary 
to  purfue  its  full  gratification.    -There   is  good  reafon  to  believe, 
that  a  gentleman    who  is  duly  qualified  -to  explore  them  would 
meet  with  ample  materials  to  recompenfe  his  toil ;  and  it  is  greatly 
to  be  wifhed,  that  they  may  undergo  a  further  fcrutiny.     Sir  Hans 
Sloane  pofleflbd  all  that  difcernment  and  knowledge  requifite  for  a 
cultivation  of  natural  hiftory.     But  he  was  fettered  by  the  duties 
of  the  place  he  enjoyed  under  the  duke  of  Albemarle 4  and>  befides, 
-the  iiland  was,  iu  his  lime,  in  fo  rude  a  (late,  that  it  might  have 
been  impradicable  for  him  to  have  examined  much  of  its  moun- 
tainous diftrifts,   even  if  he  could  have  found   fufficient  leifure. 
And  hence  the  many  inaccuracies  in  his  work ;  for  he  was  obliged 
40  rely  chiefly  on  the  writings  and  informations  of  other  men,  for 
want  of  opportunity  to  ground  his  defcriptions  on  the  rcfult  of  his 
own  perfoual  experience.     Much  ufe&il  information  of  thefe  in- 
terior regions  might  perhaps  be  gained,    if  the  aflembly  of  the 
•iiland  were  to  grant  an  annual  penfion  of  three  or  four  hundred 
pounds  fterling  to  fome  perfon  thoroughly  qualified  in  the  branches 
of  naturalftudy :  I  mean  thofe  in  particular  which  have  relation  to 
^agriculture,  hufbandry,  food,  medicine,  minerals,  and  commerce. 
The  advantages  to  he  reaped  from  fuch  an  appointment  would  de- 
|)end  on  the  ability  and  fpirit  of  the  perfon  chofen.     In  the  ppefent 
age,  it  would  not  be  difficult  to  engage  one  competently  qualified  ; 
•fince  there  never  was  a  period  in  which  this  fludy  employed  fuch 
numbers  of  ingenious  men  in  our  mother-country.     This  patriotic 
ardour  for  promoting  fcience  in  general,  and  in  particular  natural 
hiftory  and  hufbandry,  has  not  been  confined  to  focieties  only: 

private 


BOOK    11.      CHAP.      VIII.  1,35 

private  gentlemen  have  exerted  their  (iiigle  efforts  in  fupport  of  ity 
and  laudably  devoted  part  of  their  fortunes  to  this  end,  inftead  of 
wafting  it  in  unprofitable  difllpations*  The  ifland  of  Jamaica 
has  never  granted  gentlemen  of  diftingui^hed  tafte  for  the  fine,  as 
well  as  the  moreufeful  and  oeconomical,  arts-;  and,  fince  the  ifland 
is  fo  opulent,  that  the  charge  of  fuch  an  appointment  would  hardly, 
be  felt,  what  more  favourable  circumflances  can  be  hoped  to 
concur,  either  towards  enfuring  fuccefs  in  the  undertaking,  or 
giving  the  public  that  fatisfaflory  knowledge  of  foils,  climates,  and 
produAions,  that,  while  it  gratifies  the  iiteratir^  may  alio  tend  to- 
improve  and  people  this  country  ?  The  want  of  a  liberal  educa-^ 
tion,  or  an  attention  of  the  whole  foul  to  get  money,  as  if  it  were 
the  only  rational  object  of  purfuit  in.  this  world,  has  occafioned 
men  in  general  to  treat  the  ftudy  of  natural  hiftory,  and  its  foU 
lowers,  with  contempt  and.  ridicule  ;  all  are  kidifcriminately  conr 
founded  with  the  defpicable  tribe  of  infed-hunters,  and.  colledlors 
of  gimcracks.  We  (hould,  however,  be  cautious  to  feparate  firom 
this  drofs  all  thofc,  whofe  labours  conduce  to  the  moft  ufeful  pur- 
pofes  of  life;:  who  not  only  difclofe  to  us  the  wonderful  mecha- 
iiifm  of  the  creation,  and  the.  wifdom  of  the  Deity ;  but  exemplify 
his  unbounded  benevolence  to  man,  while  they  inftru£t  us  in  the 
means  by  which  our  healtl>  may  berpreferved,.  our  life  prolonged, 
oar  agriculture  improved,  manufadlures  enlarged  and  multiplied, 
commerce  and^  tjpade  extended,  and  the  public  enriched.  I  muft 
oonfefs,  that  this  ufeful  purfuit  has  not  been  without  its  fautors  in. 
Jamaica.  Sir  Hans  Sloane  firft  laid  open  a  new  fcene  of  American 
produftions,  not  much  known  before  to  the  learned  ia  Europe.. 
Yet,  before  his  time,  the  fcience  was  cultivated  in  this,  ifland  by 
Dr.Barham,  whom  Sir  Hans  frequently  quotes^  and.  whofe  manur 
fcripts  were  never  publiftied.  Some  time  afterwards,  Dr.  Patrick 
Brown  undertook  a  fimilar  work,  containing  many  undefcribed 
plants  and  animals:  tiiis  work  he  was  enabled  to  puhlifh  chiefly 
by  the  fubfcription  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  ifland..  The  late  Dr. 
Anthony  Robinfon  likewife  made  a.coUedion  of  feveral  hundred 
figures  and  defcription&  of  Jamaica  plants  and  animals  ;  the  greater 
part  of  which  are  non-defcripts:  but  he  unfortunately  died  before 
it  could  be  digefted  into-  a  regular  feries   for  publication.     This 

work^. 


136  JAMAICA. 

work,  if  it  Ihould  ever  be  given  to  the  public,  will  be  found  to 
correct  many  errors  in  Sloanc  and  Brown  ;  who,  compared  with 
him,  were  in  various  inftances  very  fuperficial  obfervers,  or  ill-in- 
formed. He  invented  a  vegetable  foap,  fuperior  in  its  properties  to 
common  foap ;  for  which  difcovery,  the  affembly  of  this  ifland 
granted  him  a  reward  of  one  hundred  pounds  fterling.  He  likewife 
prepared  a  fago  from  a  fpecies  of  the  palm,  fo  common  in  Jamaica, 
equal  in  its  alimentary  qualities  to  what  comes  from  the  Eafl- 
Indies*  Notwithftandiug  thefe  voluminous  coUedions,  it  is  cer-* 
tain,  there  ftill  remains  a  very  great  number  of  plants  and  minerals 
in  this  ifland  to  be  defcribed  and  claffed.  And,  to  compleat  the 
whole,  there  is  required  a  judicious  analylis  of  their  properties 
and  ufe.  I  have  been  informed,  that  her  majefty  queen  Anne, 
upon  the  reprefentations  of  Sir  Hans  Sloane,  gave  out  of  her  privy- 
purfe  200/.  {ktrling per  annunij  to  fupportand  encourage  a  botanical 
profeflbr  in  this  ifland ;  but  her  death  happened  foon  after,  and  the 
bounty  was  withdrawn. 

The  importance  of  cultivating  this  fcience,  in  a  part  of  the  world 
lb  abounding  in    materials,  will  not  be  denied,  when  we  confider 
the  immenfe  fums  that  have  been  acquired  in  trade  by  the  Jefuits 
bark,  the  canella,  cochineal,  indigo,  logwood,    and  various  other 
vegetable  productions;  whofe  value  might  ftill  have  been  loft  to 
the  community,  and  their  preparations   unknown,  had  not  fome 
knowledge  in  natural  hiftory  revealed  them.     And  there  is  very 
probable  ground  to  fuppofe,  that  there  is  in  this  ifland  a  vaft  variety 
of  plants  ftill  to  be  examined;  whole  fruit,  gums,  barks,  or  roots 
(to  fay  nothing  of  the  fofllle   and   mineral  kingdoms),  might  be 
found   very  proper  fubjefts    for  export,    or  for   oeconomical  ufes 
among  the  inhabitants.     In  order  to  promote   fuch  beneficial  re- 
fearches,  it  is  to  be  wiftied,  that   thofe  planters,  who  fend  their 
ions  to  Great-Britain  for  education  in  phyfic  and  furgery,  would 
.dire£l,  that  botany  (hould  alfo  be  attended  to,  and  made  a  principal 
branch  of  their  ftudy.     Botanical  knowledge  feems  particularly  re- 
quifite  to  their  praflice  in  a  country  that  teems  with  vegetable  re- 
medies for  moft  of  the  diftempers  incident  to  the  climate.     A  total 
ignorance  of  this  ufeful  fcience  is  a  moft  contemptible  defeft  in  the 
pradlitioners  here  ;  for  what  can  be  more  reproachful  than  to  have 
2  it 


BOOK    11.      CHAP.    Vm.  137 

it  faid>  and  with  truth,  that  many  of  the  Ncgrpcs  are  well  acr 
quainted  with  the  healing  virtues  of  feveral  herbs  and  plants,  which 
a  regular  phyfician  tramples  under  foot,  with  no  other  idea  of 
them,  than  that  they  are  no  part  of  his  materia  medica^  nor  any 
better  than  ufelefs  weeds  ?  It  will  be  no  fmall  afliftance  to  any  per- 
fon  who  may  hereafter  botanize  in  Jamaica,  that  Sloane  and 
Brown  have  already  paved  the  way ;  but,  indeed,  a  thorough  dif. 
covcry  of  the  virtues  and  ufes  of  what  have  been  already  defcribed, 
ieems  to  be  more  wanted  at  preient  than  a  further  fcrutiny  after 
non-defcribed  plants*  Superadded  to  this  will  be  the  endeavours 
of  gentlemen  of  the  ifland  to  introduce  exotic  plants  and  trees  from 
the  Eaft-lndian  and  American  continents,  of  fuj:h  kinds  as  have 
been  mod  celebrated  for  their  medicinal,  or  fome  other  valuable 
qualities.  No  part  of  the  illand  feems  better  adapted  for  fuch  nut- 
fcries  than  the  Liguanea  or  Midland  Mountains.  They  would  re- 
quire fome  care  till  their  feeding  time ;  after  which,  the  different 
Ipecies  might  eafily  be  propagated  in  other  diftridls. 

I  return  from  this  digreffion  to  clofe  my  account  of  St.  Andi^^s. 
The  lower,  or  more  level  part  of  the  parifh^  comprehended  cupder 
the  name  of  Liguanea,  is  the  quarter  moft  appropriated  to 
fugar- plantations.  The  foil  here  has  been  chiefly  formed  by  the 
fine  mould  wafhed  down  from  the  hills,  and  produces  a  good  cane. 
In  fome  parts,  the  foil  is  mixed  with  a  coarfe  rubble,  fwept  by 
heavy  torrents  from  the  gullies.  This  foil  requires  plentiful  rains 
(without  which  it  is  apt  to  burn  the  canes),  and  conftant  inanure. 
One  of  the  Oliverian  regiments  firft  fettled  here,  under  the  com- 
mand of  colonel  Archbould  and  major  Hope,  who,  with  Sir 
William  Beefton,  poflefled  the  beft  and  largefl  fhare  of  this  whole 
traft.  Few  of  the  fugar-plantations  are  remoter  from  the  harbour 
than  fix  or  feven  miles ;  the  interior  or  hilly  part  being  chiefly  em- 
ployed in  the  cultivation  of  coffee  and  provifions.  The  roads  here 
are  in  general  firm ;  the  fugar  of  excellent  quality ;  and  the  car- 
riage to  and  from  the  town  fo  eafy,  that  the  eftates  are  jufily 
efleemed  very  valuable.  The  Long  Mountain,  which  runs  ob- 
liquely from  Rock  Fort  for  about  four  miles  inland,  is  for  the  mofl 
part  compofed  of  lime-flone.  The  end  of  it,  which  advances 
peareft  ^to  the  harbour,  fupplies  large  quantities  of  ballafl  for  the 

Vol.  11.  T  fhips, 


138  JAMAICA. 

Hhips,  floitea  fb»  buiidlng  and  for  lime ;  which  are  carried  by  water 
from  the  foot  of  it.  But  the  houfes  in  general  are  of  brick  manu« 
fa^tured  from  the  natural  fbil^  which  is  a  certain  proof  of  its  fertile 
quality. 

Near  Merryman's  Hill,  in  Liguanea,  a  mineral  water  has,  not 
long  fince,  been  difcovered ;  which  is  faid  to  contain  a  vitriolic  acid 
iron,  a  portion  of  talky,  argillaceous,  and  abforbent  earths,  joined 
to  a  fixed  foffile  alkalis  Dr.  Richardfon,  who  tried  fome  experi* 
ments  upon  It,  acknowledges,  however,  that  this  analyfis  is  incom* 
plete,  and  requires  further  experiments,  which  cannot  be  made, 
except  at  the  fountain  head.  This  is  commonly  known  at  prefcnt 
by  the  name  of  Ctirtin*s  Spring,  and  probably  contains  a  very  me* 
dicinal  quality ;  for  which  reafbn,  a  more  perfe^  analyfis  is  ex* 
tremety  defireable^  for  afcertaining  all  its  ingredients. 

State  of  the  Parifh : 

Annuid  Produce  of  Sugir. 
Citde^    Sugtf-dbKci.        \  Hoglheads^  (    Odier  Scttkiiieiitt. 

5413 
5244 
5001 

30       I   2600   I      12? 
4626 

This  parifh  is  in  a  flourifhing  flate^  and  increafing  in  its  number  of 
fugar-plantations,  though  not  fo  rapidly  as  might  have  been  ex« 
.pe£led,i  confidering  its  vicinity  to  Kingfton.  This  fupinenefs  may 
be  attributed  to  the  abfence  of  the  chief  proprietors,  who  refide  in 
the  mother-country,  and  are  not  fblicitous  about  forming  new 
eflates,  which  require  fome  money  to  be  advanced,  and  perhaps  the 
perfonal  fuperintendency  of  the  owners.  The  diminution  in. cattle 
-has  (among  other  caufes)  proceeded  from  the  ere£ting  of  feveral 
water-mills,  which  have  rendered  a  lefs  number  necefiTary.  The 
whole  ifland,  indeed,  has  owed  much  of  its  prefent  improved 
Oate  to  the  extenfive  introdudion  of  thefe  ufef^l  machines. 


Negroo 

''734. 

-7631 

I740» 

»3<53 

'745» 

8936 

1761, 

9024 

1768, 

9813 

SECT. 


■• 


Boo^  it,    CH4P.  vm.  1^ 


*  « 


s  E  G  T.  m. 

* 

PORT      ROYAL. 

THIS  pari(h  is  bounded  ori  the  Eaft,  by  St.  David;  on  the 
Weil,  by  the  port,  and  St.  Andrew ;  North,  by  Kingfton  har^jOur, 
and  St%  David ;  and  Souths  by  the  (hip  channel,  and  fea*  A  part 
of  Yallahs  River  forms  the  inland  confine  on  the  North ;  as  the 
Bull  Bay  River  does  on  the  Eaft*  It  is  watered  alfo  by  the  Hope, 
and  Mammec.  The  town,  which  is  in  17^  57' North  latitude^* 
and  76''  37^  longitude  Weft  from  Londofl,  is  fituated  on  the  point 
of  a  peninfula,  or  narrow  neck,  of  land,  called  the  Palifadoe,  wbich^ 
projeding  from  the  main  land  about  eight  miles  and  three  quarters^  , 
forms  a  barrier  to  the  harbour  of  Kingfton  againft  the  fea.  The 
foundation  of  it  was  firft  laid  by  general  Brayne,  in  the  year  1657* 
It  was  then  called  Cagua,  or  Cagway,  a  corruption  probably  ot 
caragua,  the  Indian  name  for  the  coratoe,  or  great  aloe,  which 
cverfpreads  the  adjacent  Saltpan  Hill.  The  excellent  anchorage  in 
the  road,  where  a  thoufand  (hips  might  lie  fecure  from  all.  winds 
except  hurricanes,  and  the  depth  of  water^  infomuch  that  the  largeft 
veilels  ufed  to  lay  their  broadfides  to  the  wharfs^  and  load  or  un-* 
load  with  little  trouble,  made  it  fo  defireable  a  feat  for  trade,  thaC 
it  ibon  became  celebrated  for  the  number  of  its  Inhabitants,  the  ex- 
tent of  its  commerce,  and  amazing  treafures  of  gold  and  filver*  • 
In  the  year  1672,  it  contained  eight  hundred  well-built  houfes^ 
moft  of  which  were  rented  as  high  as  any  of  that  time  in  the  heart 
of  the  city  of  London.  Twenty  years  after  this,  the  number  was 
increafed  to  two  thoufand ;  and  it  had  then  attained  the  height  of 
its  fplendor.  The  fituation  was  extremely  incommodious  in  many 
re(pe£ts.  It  had  neither  earth,  wood,  nor  water ;  the  foil  was  no- 
thing more  than  a  loofe  fand^  lodged  at  firft  upon  a  ridge  of  rock^ 
and  gradually  extended  in  breadth,  as  well  as  depthi  in  a  long  fe- 
ries  of  time^  by  the  renditions  of  the  fea.  -The  natural  wantSi 
however,  of  fo  large  and  populous  a  town,  proved  very  in- 
ftrumental  towards  forming  and  encouraging  plantations  upon  the 

T  2 '  main 


j'4c  JAMAICA. 

main  lailJl.  The  demand  for  fire- wood,  building*timber,  bricks, 
flefli,  corn,  fruits,  and  other  vegetable  provifions,  was  confide-' 
rable ;  and  this  was  fuppHed  by  the  fettlers  in  St.  Catharine  and 
St.  Andrew.  The  advantage  of  trade  to  an  infant-colony,  and  the 
mutual  dependence  of  the  merchant  and  planter  one  upon  the  other, 
were  never  more  confpicuous  than  in  this  example.  The  town 
was  inhabited  by  fcarcely  any  other  than  merchants,  warehoufc- 
keepers,  vintners,  and  retailers  of  punch ;  the  latter  were  very  nu- 
merous, and  well  fupported  by  the  buccaneers,  who  diflipated  here 
whatever  they  got  from  the  Spaniards.  As  an  inftance  of  their 
profufion,  it  is  faid,  that  one  of  them  has  been  known  to  fijuander 
three  thoufand  pieces  of  eight,  equal  to  750/.  of  prefent  currency, 
inlefs  than  a  month.  The  immenfe  riches  they  brought  into  this 
town,  the  grand  treafury  of  all  their  fpoil,  may  partly  be  judged 
by  the  fums  which  the  armament^  under  Sir  Henry  Morgan  only, 
is  faid  to  have  brought  in  during  1669  and  1670,  viz« 
On  the  capture  of  Puerto  del  Principe,  —     50,000    pieces  of  eight. 

Puerto  Vela,     —    —  250,000 

Maracaibo,  —  —  —  250,000. 

Panama  and  Cruz,     —  400,000 


In  all,  950,000  or  £^  237,500 
befides  an  immenfe  quantity  of  filks,  linens,  gold  and  filver  lace, 
plate,  jewels,  and  other  valuable  commodities ;  which  probably 
amounted  to  near  as  much  more.  By  this  means  (as  an  hiflorian 
has  obfervcd)  money  grew  to  be  in  vaff  plenty,  and  returns  eafy 
to  England,  into  which  many  hundred  thoufand  of  thofe  pieces  of 
eight  were  imported.  A  (hare  of  thefe  acquifitions,  however,  re- 
mauied  in  circulation  among  the  planters,  who  by  this  time  brought 
their  manufaftures  of  fugar  and  indigo  to  great  perfeftion.  Their 
other  commodities  for  export  were,  ginger,  anotto,  cacao,  cotton, 
and  pimento;  fuftick,  mahogany,  and  lignum  vita.  All  their 
goods  were  (hipped  at  Port  Royal;  and,  by  an  aft  of  aflembly 
pafled  in  1683,  all  produftions  of  this  fort,  that  were  levied  on 
for  payment  of  debts,  were  directed  to  be  appraifed  in  that  town 
by  the  church-wardens,  upon  their  oaths,  and  then  delivered  to 
the  creditor,  who  was  obliged  to  accept  them  at  the  appraifed  value, 

as 


BOOK    n.      CHAP.    VIIL  141 

33  lb  much  money.  This  law,  fo  favourable  to  the  planters,  was 
likewife  highly  beneficial  to  the  mother-country,  by  its  confidering 
the  foreign  money  then  current  here  as  mere  merchandize,  and  of 
courie  leaving  it  free  for  exportation  to  England. 

I  am  now  about  to  defcribe  the  fad  reverfe  of  fortune  which  this 
town  experienced ;  but,  firft,  it  may  not  be  improper  to  mention 
the  ftate  of  it  in  the  beginning  of  the  fatal  year  1692.  It  con- 
tained at  that  period  upwards  of  three  thoufand  five  hundred  inha* 
bitants,  and  two  thoufand  houfes ;  the  greater  number  of  which 
were  of  brick,  feveral  ftories  in  height,  founded  clofe  to  the  very 
brink  of  the  water,  on .  a  loofe  bank  of  fand.  The  fort,  which 
then  mounted  fixty  pieces  of  ordnance,  and  the  reft  of  the  houfes, 
were  founded  on  the  rocky  part  of  the  peninfula.  On  the  7th  of* 
June,.  1692,  between  eleven  and  twelve  oVlock  at  noon,  began 
that  terrible  earthquake  which, .  in  two  minutes  time,  produced 
fuch  a  fccne  of  devaftation  {x\.  All  the  principal  ftreets,  which 
were  next  to  the  water,  funk  at  once,  with  the  people  in  them ;  and 
a  high,  rolling  fea  followed,  clofing  immediately  over  them.  Not 
lefs  than  fixteen  hundred  were  thus  fwallowed  up,  or  fhook  into  an 

{x}  The  year  began  with  very  hot,  dry  weather,  which  continued  till  May,  when  there  wai 
much  blowing-weather,  and  a  great  deal  of  rain,  till  the  end  of  the  nM)nth ;  from  which  time, 
till  the  earthquake  happened,  it  was  exceffirdy  calm,  hot,  and  dry..  The  7th  of  June  was  a  veiy 
hot,  clear  fun-(hine  day,  fcarce  a  cloud  appearing,  and  not  a  breath  of  air  felt.  The  earthquake 
began  at  forty  minutes  pail  eleven  A.  M.  with  a  very  fmall  trembling.  The  fecond  (hake  waft 
ibmewhat  flrongcr,  accompanied  all  the*while  with  a  hollow,  rumbling  noife ;  and,  immediately 
aiter  this  fecond  (hake,  came  on  the  third,  and  roofi  violent,  which  continued  near  a  minute. 

When  Venables  took  the  ifland,  the  point  whereon  Port  Royal  now  {lands  was  almofl  infulated, 
being  joined  to  the  Palifadoes  only  by  a  ridge  of  faiid,  which  at  that  time  jufb  began  to  appeal 
above  water.  When' Jackfon  invaded  St.  Jago  de  la  Vega,  which  was  about  ieventeen  years  ante- 
cedent. It  was  entirely  feparatedby  the  iea.  On  this  fandy  ifthmus,  which  the  inhabitants  en- 
larged by  driving  piles,  wharfing,  &c.  the  greater  part  of  the  town  was  built,  extending  above  a 
quarter  of  a  mile;'  and  the  weight  of  fo'many  large  brick- houfes  was  juftly  imagined  to' contri- 
bute, in  a  great  meafure,  to  their  downfall  ;*  for  the 'ground  gaye  way  as  £ir  as  the  houfes  erecled 
on  this  (andy  foundation  fbod,  and  no  further. 

So  in  the  great  earthquake  which  happened  in  Sicily  in  the  following  year,  1693,  it  was  ob- 
ferved,  that  in  lefs  folid  ground,  as  chalk,  fand,  or  loofe  earth,  the  mifdiief  was  beyond  compa- 
nion greater  than  in  rocky  pbces.  And,  in.  Syracufe,'  the  difference  was  vifibde  in  three  places ; 
that  is,  in  the  middb  of  the  city ;  in  the  little  ifland ;  and  in  Zaracatti,'  where  the  antient  Syracufa  * 
flood ;  in  all  which  places,  the  buildings,  being  on  a  rocky  foundation,  remained  for  the  mofl  part 
untouched,  or  only  fhaken,  or  at  leafl  not  quite  demolifhed  :  whereas,  on  the  contraiy;  in  the  refl 
of  that  territory  which  is  not  rocky,  a  vafl  number  of  noble  flrudtures'  and  towers  lay  in  a  heapof 
ruins* 

Iieap 


14*  J    A    M    A    1    C    A. 

9 

heap  of  rubbifli.  Some  of  the  ftreets  were  lard  feveral  fathomg 
under  water ;  and  it  flood  as  high  as  the  upper  rooms  of  fome 
houfes  which  remained.  It  was  computed,  that  about  two  thou- 
fand  Whites  and  Negroes  periflicd  in  this  town  alone.  The  har- 
bour had  all  the  appearance  of  agitation  as  in  a  ftorm  ;  and  the 
huge  waves  rolled  with  fuch  violence,  as  to  fnap  the  cables  of  the 
Ihips,  drive  fome  from  their  anchors,  and  overfet  others.  Among 
the  reft,  the  Swan  frigate,  that  lay  by  the  wharf  to  careen,  was 
forced  over  the  tops  of  the  funken  houfes,  and  providentially  ena- 
bled fome  hundreds  of  the  inhabitants  to  fave  their  lives.  The  fort 
only,  and  about  two  hundred  houfes,  efcaped  without  damage. 
But  a  part  of  the  neck  of  land,  communicating  from  the  point  to 
the  Palifadoes,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  length,  was  entirely 
;fubmerfed,  with  all  the  hoUfes,  which  flood  very  thick  upon  it. 
The  water  forced  its  paflage  through  the  Saltpbnd  Hill  and  guflied 
.  in  torrents  from  its  fide,  at  an  elevation  of  twenty,  and  in  fome 
places  thirty  feet  above  its  bafe,  and  continued  running  for  feveral 
hours  afterwards.  The  mountains  on  each  fide  the  river-road, 
leading  from  Spanifli  Town  to  Sixteen -mile-walk,  were  thrown 
.down  in  fuch  heaps,  as  to  obflru£t  the  paflage  of  the  river,  and  for 
fome  time  to  prevent  all  communication  between  thefe  two  places. 
A  great  part  of  a  rocky  mountain  in  St.  David's  fell  down,  and  bu- 
ried a  whole  plantation  lying  at  the  foot  of  it.  The  part  from 
which  this  huge  fragment  was  detached  is  now  a  precipice  of  folid 
rock,  confpicuous  from  its  height  at  a  great  diflance,  and  remains 
.a  dreadful  monument  of  that  day's  cataflrophe. 

The  fliock  was  not  lefs  violent  in  the  mountains.  Some  were 
even  of  opinion,  that  they  had  funk  a  little;  others,  that  the 
•whole  ifland  had  fomewhat  fubfided ;  for  they  obferved,  that  feveral 
wells  in  Liguanea  did  not  require  fo  long  a  rope,  by  two  or  three 
feet,  as  they  did  before  the  earthquake.  However,  it  is  more  na- 
tural to  account  for  this  change,  by  fuppofing,  that  the  water  had 
rifen  higher;  for,  in  all  thefe  violent  commotions  of  the  earth,  it 
is  well  known,  that  fprings  are  remarkably  affefted.  At  the  North 
fide,  above  one  thoufand  acres  of  land  are  faid  to  have  fiink,  with 
thirteen  inhabitants.  It  left  not  a  houfe  flaiiding  at  Paflage  Fort ; 
(pnly  one  at  Liguanea ;  deflroyed  moft  of  the  planters  habitations 

4  in 


BOOK    II.      CHAP.    VIII.  143 

in  the  country ;  and  all  in  St.  Jago  de  la  Vega,  except  what  were 
built  bj  the  Spaniards.  During  thefe  convulfions,  which  conti- 
nued with  little  intermiffion,  though  in  a  flighter  degree,  for  fome 
weeks  afterwards,  the  moft  offenfive  flenches  were  emitted  from 
every  fiffure  and  opening  made  in  the  fand  near  the  harbour ;  the 
fky  became  dull  and  reddifli,  which  indicated  a  plentiful  difcharge 
of  vapours  from  the  earth ;  the  weather  grew  hotter  than  had  been 
obferved  before  the  (hock ;  and  fuch  prodigious  fwarms  of  mujf- 
keetos  infefted  the  coafts,  as  to  aftonifh  the  inhabitants;  the 
beauty  of  the  mountains  was  quite  effaced,  and,  inflead  of  their 
lively,  youthful  verdure,  they  appeared  diflorted  with  fragments, 
bald,  and  furrowed. 

After  this  fatality,  many  of  the  inhabitants,  who  had  furvived 
the  lofs  of  Port  Royal,  removed  to  that  part  of  Liguanea  where 
Kingflon  now  flands.  Here  they  took  reflige  in  miferable  huts, 
which  could  not  defend  them  from  the  rain.  Thus  deflitute  of 
fuitable  conveniences  and  medicines,  they  foon  perifhed  with  ma- 
lignant fevers.  The  air,  empoifoned  with  noxious  vapours,  co- 
operating with  the  terror  of  thefe  calamities,  and  the  diflrefs  they 
pccafioned,  brought  on  a  general  ficknefs,  which  very  few  efcaped 
in  any  part  of  the  ifland.  Not  lefs  than  three  thoufand  are  com- 
puted to  have  died ;  the  greater  part  at  Kingflon  only,  where  five 
hundred  graves  were  dug  in  a  month's  time,  and  two  or  three  bu- 
ried in  a  grave.  What  rendered  the  fcene  more  tragical  were  the 
numbers  of  dead  bodies  which,  after  perifhing  in  the  fhock  at  Port 
Royal,  were  feen  in  hundreds  floating  from  one  fide  of  the  harbour 
to  the  other.  Thus  fell  the  glory  of  Port  Royal ;  and  with  it  all 
the  publick  records;  which  proved  a  heavy  lofs.  In  the  fol- 
lowing year,  the  afibmbly  taking  into  confideratioii,  that  the 
fort  and  many  of  the  houfes  were  flill  left  flanding ;  that  it  was  a 
place  fo  excellently  adapted  to  carry  on  trade,  and  of  great  flrength 
to  refift  an  enemy ;  refolvcd  upon  rebuilding  it.  Firfl:,  however, 
they  endeavoured  to  fhew  the  deep  impreffion  which  the  late  misfor- 
tune had  made  upon  their  minds,  by  appointing  every  7th  of  June 
to  be  obferved,  for  the  future,  as  a  day  of  fafling  and  deprecation 
of  the  divine  wrath ;  which  flill  continues,  and  ever  ought,  to  be 
religioufly  kept  here.    The  fand  on  the  South  fide  of  the  town 

waa. 


,144  JAMAICA. 

was  funk  fo  low,  that  it  was  feared  the  fea  wpuld  encroach  too  fall, 
arid  endanger  the  houfes  left  Handing  on  that  fide.  They  therefore 
cnadled  that  the  owners  of  ground  formerly  built  upon,  and  whofe 
hpufes  had  been  thrown  down  by  the  earthquake,  (hould  rebuild 
them ;  or,  otherwife,  that  the  lots  (hould  be  fold  on  a  fair  valuation, 
and  the  money  be  paid  to  the  owners.  Some  provifions  were  like- 
wife  made  for  repairing  the  wall,  or  breaftwork,  which  had  been 
built  to  hinder  the  encroachment  of  the  fea;  and  the  receiver-ge* 
neral,  fecretary,  and  port  officers,  were  ordered  to  hold  their  offices 
here,  by  themfelves  or  deputies,  as  heretofore. 

By  degrees,  as  the  popular  fears  fubfided,  the  town  increafed  In 
buildings  aijd  inhabitants,  though  far  (hort  of  its  former  ftate,  till 
the  year  1703,  when  it  was  deftroyed  a  fecond  time.  A  terrible 
fire  broke  out  among  fomc  of  the  ware-houfes,  which  Ipread  with 
fuch  fury,  as  to  reduce  moft  of  the  houfes  to  afhes.  It  was  occa- 
lioned,  as  appears  from  an  a6l  pafled  foon  after,  by  keeping  large 
quantities  oif  gun -powder,  and  other  combuftibles,  in  the  different 
quarters  of  the  town;  and  its  devaftation  was  imputed  to  the 
Northward  (hingles,  with  which  the  houfes  were  covered.  This 
accident  produced  the  law,  which  enafts,  that,  as  the  North-Ame- 
rican (hingles  had  been  found  very  dangerous,  no  per(bu,  inha- 
biting in  this  town,  (hould  for  the  future  cover  any  houfc,  or  other 
building,  with  any  (hingles  brought  from  the  Northward,  nor 
any  other  than  what  are  made  and  produced  in  this  ifland,  iind&r 
penalty  of  forfeiting  100/.  and  fuch  houfe  or  building:  a  regula* 
tlon  fo  prudent,  that  it  is  amazing  it  has  not  been  extended  to 
Kingfton,  and  other  towns  Where  it  is  equally  nece(Iary.  This 
ruinous  accident  caufed  another  deiertion  to  Kingfton  ;  which  thus 
began  to  thrive  by  the  decline  of  her  elder  fifter ;  fo  that,  two 
years  afterwards,  it  was  grown  (b  populous,  that  the  legiflaturc 
found  it  convenient  to  eftablilh  here  a  quarter-(e(non,  and  court  of 
common-pleas,  and  to  enaft  feveral  provifiops  for  fecuring  the  na- 
vigation of  the  harbour,  fettling  the  rates  of  wharfage,  repairing 
the  ftreets,  and  guarding  againft  fire.  Port  Royal  was  at  this  pei- 
riod  reduced  to  a  very  low  ebb,  yet  it  was  not  wholly  deferted.  It 
was  thought  advifeable  to  keep  it  provided' always  with  a  ftron^ 
garrifon.    It  ftill  poftefted  fome  little  trade,  and  w!as  the'favouritb 

reforJt 


BOOK    II.      CHAP.     VIIL  145 

refort  of  the  feamen  belonging  to  the  men  of  war   and  privateers. 
But,  as  if  Providence  had  decreed  that  it  Ihould  never  more  revive 
to  any  thing  like  its  former  fplendor,  what  the  earthquake  and  con- 
flagration  had  Ipared  was  nearly  demoliflied  by  a  violent  hurricane, 
which  happened  on  the  28th  of  Auguft,  1722.     It  began  at  eight 
in  the  morning,  and  lafted  fourteen  hours ;  during  which,  the  rain 
was  inccflant,   and  the  ftorm  veered  all  round  the  compafs.     In 
Kingilon  moft  of  the  buildings  were  thrown  down,  or  much  fhat- 
tered.     The  very  day  preceding  it  was  perfeftly  calm^  but  ib  great 
a  fwell  at   fea,  that    the   waves   broke  over  the    breaft-work  at 
Port  Royal,  and  laid  all  the  ftreets  under  water.     The  fort  fufFered 
very  much  ;  feveral  of  the  guns  were  difmounted,  and  fome  waftied 
into  the  fea.     The  church  and  row  of  houfes  in  the  Eaft  part  of 
the  town  were  fo  battered,    that  there  remained  very  little  ap- 
pearance of  a  building;     In  (hort,  above  half  the  town  was  laid  in 
ruins;  and  thehoufesand  plantations  in  all  parts  of  the  ifland  fuf- 
fered  confiderabledamage,  except  in  St.  Jago,  where  the  SpaniOi 
buildings  flood  the  (hock  unhurt.     Very  few  of  the  inhabitants  loft 
their  livfcs;    but  in   the  harbour   it  proved  more  fatal.      Out   of 
thirty*Jfix  merchant-ftiips  and  floops,  only  ten  were  to  be  feen  after 
the  ftorm ;  and  of  thefc  one  half  were  irreparably  damaged.     The 
Falkland,  Swallow,  and  Weymouth   men  of  war,  and  the  floop 
•Happy,  loft  all  their  mafts  and  boats ;  the  other  part  of  the  fqua- 
dron,  coniifting  of  the  Lancafter,  Mermaid,  and  Adventure,  were 
luckily  at  fea,  and  efcaped.      The  naval  ftore-houfe  \yas  blown 
down;  and  moft  of  the  powder  in  the  magazines   damaged.     The 
Rio  Cobre  was  obftruded  for  feveral  miles  about  the  Caymana's, 
and  loft  its  ufual  channel,  by  the  prodigious  abundance  of  trees  and 
Tubbi(h  which  the  wind  and  inundation  had  thrown  into  it ;  fo  that 
the  paffage  from  St.  Jago  to  Kingfton  by  land  became   interrupted 
for  fome  time;  and  the  aflembly   were  obliged  to  pafs  an  a£t  for 
clearing  it.     It  was  computed,  that  four  hundred  perfons  loft  tlieit 
lives  in  the  harbour,    among  which  were  two  hund^-ed    Negroe 
flaves  on  board  a  Guiney  (hip,  which  foundered  at  her  anchors'. 
In  1717^  the  affembly,  being  fenfible  that  the  wall,  or  breaft-work, 
on  the  South  fide  of  the  town  was  of  the  utmoft  importance  to  pre- 
vent the  fea  frofnJjrcaking  in,  cftablifhed  i  $0  L per amimi  u  a  per- 
Vol.  II.  U  pctuai 


,46  J    A    M    A    I    G    A, 

;petual  fund  for  keeping  it  in  repair.  They  had,  fbme  time  before^ 
prohibited  the  carrying  away  any  ftones  or  fand  from  the  cayes  and 
Hioals  which  lay  in  the  channel,  with  a  view  to  the  like  precaution; 
which  was  fufficiently  juftified  in  the  year  1744*  when  another 
furious  hurricane  arofe  at  fix  in  the  evening  on  the  20th  of  O^Stober, 
and  continued  till  fix  the  following  nooming.  A  new  fort,  begua 
at  Mofquito  Point,  was  entirely  razed;  many  bouies  were  blown 
down  in  the  towns  and  other  parts  of  the  ifland;  and  all  the  wharfs 
at  Port  Royal,  Kingfton^  PafiTage  Fort,  and  Old  Harbour,,  w^ere^ 
deftroyed,  and  moft  of  the  goods  fwept  away.  The  inhabitants  of 
Port  Royal  expcfted  every  moment  to  be  fwallowed  up  by  an  inun- 
dation, the  ftreets  being  all  }aid  fevcral  feet  under  water;  but,  hap- 
pily, their  wall  withflood  the  (hock,  and  faved  them  from  utter 
ruin..  Their  dangerous  fituation  may  be  imagined ;  for  the  wind, 
,  fetting  the  whole  time  from  the  South,  droye  the  furgefuU  againft 
this  part  of  the  town,  and  with  fuch  fury,  that  immenfe  loads  of 
ilone  and  fand  were  povred  over  the  walk  Sir  Chaloner  Ogle, 
who  then  had  the  command  on  this,  ftatioii,  was  fortunately  at  fea, 
with  the  major  pai t  of  the  fleet ;.  but  there  were  nine  men  of  war 
and  ninety-fix  merchant  (hips  in  the  harbour,,  one  hundred  and  four 
of  which  were  flranded^  wrecked,  or  foundered ;  fo  that  only  the 
RippoD  rode  it  out  with  the  lofs  of  her  mafls ;  and  a  great  number 
of  mariners  were  drowned.  Thus  lias  this  unhappy  town  under- 
gone, in  the  fpace  of  fifty-two  years,  a  fad  fuccefiion  of  extraor-- 
dinary  difafters,  by  earthquake,  tempeft,  fire,  and  inundation. 
In  its  prefeiU  humbled  condition,  it  has  (hree  ilreets,  two  or  three 
lanes,  and  about  two  hundred  houfes.  The  fortification,  called 
Fort  Charles,  {lands  on  a  low  ipot  at  the  entrance  or  mouth  of  the 
harbour,  and  is  defended  by  one  hundred  and  twenty-fix  guns. 
The  breaft-work,  or  line,  is  aUb  formed  to  guard  the  channel  in 
coming  in,  as  well  as  to  prevent  any  accefs  by  the  Palifadoe  or 
Jand-fide ;  fo  that  it  is  now  compleatly  fortified*  Within  the  fort 
is  a  fn^U  powder-magazine,  and  a  houfe  for  the  commanding 
officer.  The  barracks  are  capable  of  receiving  upwards  of  three 
hundred  men,  exclufive  of  their  officers;  and  here  is  a  hofpital  for 
their  fick.  In  17349  when  Sir  Chaloner  Ogte  comouuided  the 
fquadron  here,  a  large  piece  of  ground  was  taken  in  at  the  North- 
2  :    .      Eaft 


BOOK    11.      CHAR    VIII.  147 

Eafl:  quarter  of  the  town»  aad  vefted  in  tb,e  crown,  for  the  fervice 
of  his  majefty*s  fhips;  and  in  1741  the  yard  and  wharf  were  greatly 
enlarged  by  an  a£t  of  affembly,  paffed  fpr  that  purpoie.  Here 
the  men  of  war  are  careened  and  refitted ;  but  the  greater  part  of  * 
the  naval  ftores  are  kept  in.  proper  ware-houies  at  Greenwich* 
The  hofpital  for  the  ieatnen  is  a  large,  airy,  and  well- contrived 
building* ,  The  church  is  a  fmall,  but  neat  ftrufture,  with  an  organ, 
a  tower,,  and  cupola.  The  captain  of  the. fort  has  of  late  year? 
been  appointed  by  the  governor's  warrant,  upon  the  nominatiou 
of  the  miniftry.  His  falary  is  only  .109/.  10  s.  per  annum  \  but 
the  profits  of  this  poft  make  it  far  more  con{i4erable«  By  t^e  re- 
venue-law, pafled  in  1728,  a  provifion  is  made  of  547/.  los.  per 
annum  for  twelve  matrofles  and  gunners,  who  are  required  tp  bp 
inhabitants  of  the  town,  and  continually  refident  in  it.  The 
holding  thefe  employments  is  an  excufe  from  fervice  as  peace« 
officers,  jury-men,  or  in  the  militia;  aiid  for  this  reaibn,^the  in* 
habitants  make  llrong  intereil  to  obtain  warrants  of  appointment 
to  the(e  merely  nominal  commiiTions,  for  th^y  gladly  relinquifli 
their  claim  to  the  falary,  which  of  cour(e  becomes  a  perquifite  to 
the  captain*  A  praftice,  very  detrimental  to  trade,  was  formerly 
in  ufe  here ;  I  mean  the  demand  of  a  gratuity  from  the  matters  of 
veflels,  importing  bullion  from  foreign  parts,  for  leave  to  pais  the 
fort :  this,  .with  exa£ti0XL&  of  the  like  nature  from  the  governors, 
naval  officers,  &:c.  Jb^came  fo  grievous,  that  thefe  foreigners  at 
length  declared  it  to  be  .  the  principal  reafon  of  their  abandoning 
all  further  trade  at  this  port,  and  of  their  refort  to  the  French  at 
Hifpaniola,  where  they  arefaid  to  have  met  with  a  more  favourable 
reception,  and  to  have  made  up  their  aiTortments  full  as  cheap* 
Rapacious  adts  commonly  begin  at  the  top  in  thefe  didant  govern* 
ments,  and.  fb  deicend  to  the  lowed  underftrappers..  1      > 

It  was  uopleafing  to  fee  the  intered  of  a  co}ony  thus  made  a  fa- 
crifice  to  the  bafed  principle;  and  more  fo,  th^t  the  injured  people  3 
either  had  UQt»  j)r  js^re  not  able  to  exert,  a  fuU^hle  remedy.  Rut^ 
fuch  as  agQ£emor  is,  Jiich  wilLbe  the  fubordinate  ^j^p^iders  within  j 
his  juriidi£i:ipn.  The  captain  of  the  fort  takes  charge  of  all  the.^ 
powder  brought  into  the  magazine  purfuant  to  the  tonnage-a^, ; 
and  accounts,  upon    oath^  for  its  wade  and  expenditure,   to  the. 

U  2  council 


148  JAMAICA. 

council  and  affembly  when  called  upon ;  fubjefl:,  in  cafe  of  negleft 
or  refufal,  to  a  penalty  of  500/.  The  profits  of  this  poft  have 
been  computed  at  not  Icfs  than  1000/.  fterling  per  annum.  The- 
cxpcnce  of  kcephig  this  fort,  and  the  barracks  at  Port  RoyaU  in. 
repair,  from  1743  to  1752,  paid  by  the  public  of  Jamaica, 
amounted  to  27,667/.  which  is  about  3074/.  per  annum.  The 
powder  ordinarily  in  the  magazine  is  about  20,500  Ib.wt.  ^nd  all 
that  it  is  not  capable  of  containing  is  lodged  at  Mofquito  Point, 
and  Rock  Fort. 

The  quantity  confumed  in  {alutes,  minute-guns,  re- 
joicing-days,   and  a  morning  and  evening- watch, 

is,  eofhmunibus  annisy  about      256oolb.wf. 

The  waite,  in  lifting  and  ftiifting,.  about     — —  3000 


2-8600 
which,  at  eighteen-pence />fr  pound  (the  price  at  which  it  is  rated 
on  being  paid   in),  comes  to  2145^/.    a  charge  which   might  be 
leflened,  and  the  laving  better  applied  to  the  article  of  repairs. 

Thefe  falutes,  &c.  have  ufually  been  regulated  in  the  followinp^ 
manner : 

N"  Guns. 
On  the  dearh  of  the  governor,  aJmrrali  or  the  governor's 

lady,        ^         61 

Ditto  of  the  king's  uncle  or  aunt,    ■  ■  44 

King's  birth-day,         27 

Death  of  the  king's  brother,  or  fiftcr ;  birth-day  of  any  of 
the  royal  family,  except  the  king's ;  on  arrival  or  de- 
parture of  a  governor ;  on  his  vifiting  or  leaving  the 
fort ;  on  publifliing  his>  commiflion  ;  commiflioners 
of  the  forts  vifiting,  and  leaving;  gun-powder  plot; 
St.  George*i5  day;  and  other  publick  holidays;    — r—       21 

Salute  of  an  admiral's  flag,         —- -         —         1  j 

Ditto  a  privy-counfellor  of  the ifland  arriving,   —    ■  ■■  24 

Ditto  ditto  lesfVFng  the  ifland  ;         —         i  j 

An  exadk  account  of  all  the  powder  brought  in  every  year  to  this 
fort,  and  the  out-ports,  would  give  a  tolerably  accurate  detail  of 
the  tonnage  of  fliip^ing  employed  in  the  trade  of  this  ifland ;  it 

would 


BOOK    IL      CHAP.      VIII.  149 

would  probably  be  rather  under  than  over  tlie  truth,  as  their  re*' 
gifters  feldom  correfpond  with  exadt  menfliration. 

The  pawder,  expended  at  Fort  Augufta,  on  Mofquito  Point,  is,, 
one  year  with  another,  about  7000  lb. wt  value  525  /; 

In  the  year  1760,  the  quantity  of  powder  received  at  Fort- 
Charles  amounted- to  three  hundred  and  nine  barrels,  of  icolb.wt. 
each,  ='3o^oolb.wt.  which  makes  the  tonnage  of  that  year,  of 
the  fliips  that  come  to  Kingfton  harbour,  thirty  thoufand  nine 
hundred  ?  and,  fuppofing  fcventy  tons  each  to  be  an  average,  the 
number  will  be  four  hundred  and  forty-one  ihips  and  fmailer 
veflels[jy]. 

For  the  fervice  of  the  forts  fever^r  Negroes  are  ^Hotted ;  and: 
by  the  laft  account  there  were. 

At  Fort  Charles,  —        ^^— ^    2:3 

Fort  Augul^'a,        — -  13 

Rock  Forti  .— —     li 

Engineer  for  general  work,.  —  >  3a 

Total,  78 
and  proper  canoes,  either  for  going  with  difpatches,  or  bringing* 
provilions  from  Kingfton  market,  &c.     Tlie  inhabitants  are  chiefly 
fupported  by  the  money- (pent  here  by  the  garrifon  and  the  (qua- 
dron  ;  by  the  gains  made  by  their  wherries  that  j>ly  for.fare  in  the 
harbour;  their  turtle*fi(hery,  which  is  confiderable;^  the  pilotage" 
of  fliips  in  and  out ;  and  by  their  votes  at  the  eleftioh  of  reprefen- 
tarives;  thougli  it  muft  be  confefled,  that,  except  when  party-feuds - 
run  very  high  in  the  ifland,  their  profiti  in  this  laft  article  are  but 
trifling:-  however,  many  perfbns  are  proprietors  of -houfes  in  iHh- 
town,  merely  for  the  advantage  of  voting  at  thefe  ele<^:ions;-'in'- 
the  meantime  letting  them  rent-free,  on  condition  only  j  that  the 
tenant  keeps  them  in  tolerable  repair. 

Befides  thefe  douceurs,  one  inhabitant  receives  400/.  a  year  for- 
fupplying  the  fort  and  the  garrifon  at  Mofquito  Point  with  frefh 

[y]  The  nradium  qwantky  received,  cqmmu?ilhus  anniiy  about  415,  equal  to  21,(00  toiu  of 
fhipping.     An  a£k  has  lately  becnpaflcd  forlevjing  the  duty  in  money  at  u.  (ytLfer  ton  on  all^ 
veflHs  (foreign  only  excepted),*  and  appropriating  the  proceeds  as  a  general  fund  for  repairing  forta* 
and  fortifications  \  a  meafure  from  which,  'I  am  perfuaded»  the  iiland  will  reap  very  great  advan- 
tage.    By  the  fame  aft,  the  receiver- general  is  empowered  to  buy  powder  for  fupplying  then*. 

water,, 


ICO  T    A     M  ■  A    I    C    A* 

water^  brought  iu  boats  from  the  riv^er  Cobre ;  an4-  aiaothcr  Is^  paid 
looA  annually,  for  givhig  a  dinner  to  the  committee  of  the  Ic- 
;gi(lat\jr.e,  who  coiiae  hither  to  view  tho  flatc  of  this  fortrefs,  Sopie- 
timesthey  have  obtained  a  partial  exemption  from  certain  taxes;  anc'^, 
confidcfing  tli«  veneration  and  cpmpaffion  dye  to  the  towa  OD  ac- 
count of  its  antient  grandeur  and  prefqnt  poverty,  there  feems  to  • 
be  juft  gromid  for  thefe  decmofynary  benefa£lions.  The  air  of  the 
^own  has  been  always  efteemed  remarkably  healthful.  It  is  open 
to  a  free  ventilation;  and  the  wind  is  corre6te(jl  by  pafling  iu  every 
direftion  over  the. fea- water.  In  the  middle -of  the  day  \l  is  gene- 
rally very  hot ;  for  the  heat  of  the  air  is  greatly  augmented  by.-  the 
fand,  .which  retains  it  like  a  halneum^  maria.  But  rain  rarely  falls 
here*  The  clouds  from  the  land  have  a  quick  drift  out  to  fea, 
after  being  blown  over  the  Blue  Mountains  V  and  thofe  that  ap- 
proach from  the  fea  generally  follow  the  mountainous  ridges,  and 
thus  are  drawn  away  from  this  quarter.  The  inhabitants  in  ge- 
neral live  to  a  great  age  ;  and  many  conv^alefpents  repair  hither  from 
other  pans  of  the  ifland,  to  recruit  their  emaciated  bodies  with  the 
purity  of  this  atmofpherc,  and  a  regular  courfe  of  turtle-diet, 
which  is  cooked  here  in  the  higheft  perfection.  The  civil  govern- 
•ment  of  the  town  is,  like  the  others,  uader  the  ddlpenfation  of  a 
cujios^  or  chief  magiilrate,  and  his  afliftatits,  with  other  peace-of- 
£cers.  It  has  alfo  a  quarter- feflion  of  the  peace,  an^d  court  of 
comaaaou-pleas,  and  mufters  a  fmalji  corps  of  militia*  The  rec- 
tor's (lipend  is  x^oLper  annum  ;  and,  all  perquifites  included,  does 
fiot  amount  to  more  than  about  300/.  as  I  am  informed. 

Port  Royalf  ^s  a  place  of  defence,  is  defervedly  valued.  The 
fI>ipSL,  in  advancing  towards  the  harbour,  muil  necefiarily  pafs,  be- 
tween ihoals  and  rocks,  through  a  difficult  channel,  in  fome  parts 
extremely  narrow;  and  are  inevitably  cxpofed  to  a  fevere  fire,  with- 
out poffibility  of  bringing  their  guns  to  bear.  A-head  they  have 
a  battery  of  twelve  guns,  moftly  forty-two  pounders,  called  the 
Twelve  Apoftles,  built  on  a  point  of  Saltpan  Hill  (above  the  range 
of  an  enemy's  fhot),  which  would  rake  them  the  whole  way,  till 
they  tacked  to  ftand  up  the  harbour :  they  arc  then  expofed  to  the 
fire  of  this  battery  on  one  lide,  to  the  lire  of  the  fort  QXi  the  other, 

and 


BOOK     ir.     CH^AP.    VIIL  151 

and  in  front  to  the  battery  of  Fort  Augtjfta.     The  harbour  Is  about 
one  mile  aiid  three  quarters  in  breadlb,  but  widens  further- in. 

The  men  of  war  anchor  near  the  town  in  eight  and  ten  fathom 
water.  Fort  Augufla  ftands  on  Moiquito  Point,  which  is  a  iandy 
peninfula,  about  two  miles  iu  length,  and  very  narrow,  projefting 
from  the  North-Eaft  fide  of  the  Saltpan  Hill,  and  forming  a  kind 
of  Imiette  on  the  Weft  fide  of  the  harboun  At  the  point,  the  fhip'^ 
channel  between  the  harbours  of  Port  Royal  and  Kingfton  is  not 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  breadth,  anxlwould  probably  become  fhoal- 
water,  if  it  was  not  for  the  Rio  Cobre,  which  fweeps  through  it 
to  the  fea.  The  channel  h^s  from  fix  to  eight  fathom  ;  but 
on  each  fide  of  it  are  fand-banlcs,.  ih  pafiing  over  which,  the  fmall 
wherries  fonactimes  rab:  their  keels. . .  This  fort  mounts  eighty-fix: 
large  gons,  kept  in  excellent  orders  .  It  contains  a  Lirge  magazine, 
a^  houfe  for  the  commandant,  barracks  to  contain  three  hundred 
ibidiersi  with  all  convenient  offices,  and  cafemates.  It  was  pro- 
jc&cd  to  ^motiMt  one  bundled  and  fixteen  guns;  biit  it  is  not  yet 
•  compleated.  Thle  walls  and  baflions  are  built  upon  piles  of  the 
pafineio  or  thatch <f  pole  tree;  \which  is  endued  with  the  property  of 
tailing,  in  ^ater  without,  being  liable  to  erofion  by  the  worm.^ 
Thefe  were  driven  down  throogh  the  loofefand,.  until  they  reached 
a  firm  bed*  If  the  fame  precaution  had  been  ufed  in .  conflrodling 
the  howfes  ofPort  Royali.  it:  is  probable  that  tlw  great w^jpht-t  of 
the  town  would  have  fur vived  the.  e^thqtiafce;  i  Tiiis  foit  cdtf- 
tains  an  hblpital,  befidesf.  habitatiotxs  for  tlie.  ofEcerSr-and  is 'looked 
upon  to  *  be  aa  lieakhy  garrififv.  The  neck' of  fand  which 
joins  it  to  the  main  is  ilot  abote  fifty  or  fixty  feet  wide  in  naoft 
places^  and  fo  low,  that  an  eiiemiy  could  riot  cai^ry_  on  approaches^ 
on  accowit  of  the  water  riling  near  the  fu)rface ;  ^id4t  is  ftahked  by 
a  lagoon,  or  inlet  of  water  iftom  th«hirb^r;  of' Toi«e'' extent ;  f6r 
thefe  reafbns,.  and  becaufetbqiftilpsy  in  piffing  up  the  'chmiiiel  to- 
wards Krngfton,  mnft  come  within'  poitu-bhnk  fliot  6f  a^  wh<ile 
line  of  guns,  .a  governor  of  this  ifland  pronoHnicd  it  impregnable 
both  by  land  and  fea.  The  fort  is  about  tWo  miles  diftaftt  from 
Poet  Royal,  and  about  tbred  and  a  half,  ftom  JCingftoi^      ^^ 


t  ' 


The 


,5^  J     A     M     A     I     C     A. 

The  broadeft  part*  of  .Port  Royal  peninfula  is  nearly  oppofite  to 
the  Eaft  quarter  of  KingUon.:  on  this  part  is  •  a  fmall  grafs-pciiu, 
ftocked  with  iheep  and  goats.     The  fide  next  the  harbour  is  urter- 
ie<£ted  with  feveral  lilitlc  ponds  and  inlets ;  .and  here  is  the  ufual 
careening-place  for  nierchant-ilhips.     This  neck  of  hmd  might  be 
«iade  very  paffable  for  horfes;  hut  the  people  of  Port  Royal  prefer 
a  ivater-carriage,  which  is  more  pleafant,  and  equally  expeditious. 
•JLeaving  'this  maritime  part:of 'the  pariih,  I  flialL  proceed  to  the 
^ther  diftridl  of  it,  which  li^on  the  main  land.     It  contains  about 
ififteen  thoufand  acres,  but  very  few  fettlcmctits  or  inhabitants ;  for 
the  more  level  part  bordering  an  the  coaft  is  parched,  for  want  of 
rain;  and  the  cell  is  occupied  with  ft^ep  raountaias.     Near  the 
Toad,  which  leads  acrofs.  this. parilh  from! the  Eaftward  to  King- 
.fton,  ftaiads  the  antient  habitation  of  Sir  James.de  Ciftillc^,.  a  Spd- 
ni{h  gentleman ;  wIk)  was  knighted  by^  king  .William  UL  for  his 
Icrvices  in  negociating  a  treaty,  to  furnifli  the  Spanifli  dominions 
in  the   Weft-Iiidies  with  an  annual  number  of  Negroea#rby  the 
.way  of  Jamaica [2]..  This  houfe  was ^ defended  by  feveral  fwivel- 
\guns,  ranged  on.  pods  before  the.fronjt ;;  ^its  iitpatiou  near  the  Bull 
Bay  fubjefling  it  in  war-ttme  to  the  datager  of  boing  attacked  by 
the  privateers,  which  frequently  liavc  made  dcfcents  on  this  part  of 
^the  country.    '  . 

There  is  nothing  further  in  the  p»i(h  tliat  merits  nctice^  fexcept 

^the  cafcade  at,Maj»mee  River.     This  ftream  takefs  its  rife  among 

ithe  Blue  Mountains ;  and,  after  a  winding  courfe,  difcharges  itfelt 

between  two  rocky  hills  near  Ball  Bay,  by  a  fall  of  abotit  cwoihun- 

dred  feet.     The  ^ireftion.  of  the.  fail  is  altered,,  *  midwiy,  by  a  vaft 

.4-ock,  extending  from  the  (ide  of   the  ac^acent  precipice,  .  which 

iyreaks  the  flicet  of  water,  and  caufcs  it  to  be  agitated  with.fuch 

violence,    that  the  fpace  below,  ijs  filled   with  a  cmitinpal  mid; 

.which,  fo  Jong  as  the  fun  (hines  upon  it,  exhibits  a  beautiful  va- 

xiety  of  fine  irides  ::.from  theiice  the  river  ruflies,  foaming  along 

•  between  rocks,  till  it  reaches  the  open  ground  below.     Under  the 

.4)row  of  the  Eaftern  hill,  above  the  fall,  is  a  very  large  and  curious 

cave,  filled,  like  all  the  others  that  I  have  &en  in  this  ifland,  witli 

{z]  He  was  commifraiy-general  for  the  AiSeito ;  lived  here  many  years ;  aud  acquired  a  con- 
fiderable  property,  with  univerfal  efleem. 

flaladtic 


B-OOK-IL     CHAP.    VIII.  153; 

flala6lic  petrifadlions.    In  many  parts  x>f  the  mountains  are  ff}un<l 
fimilar  cavities,  fome  of  which  have,  adits  defcending  a  very  great 
depth  into  the  earth*    It  is  pofiible,  they  may  have  been  origl^ally^ 
formed  hy  earthquakes;  yet,  to  judge  from  the  appearance  of  moft 
ofthein,  they  appear  coeval  widi  the  iflaud.  itfelf.     On  going  into 
one  of  thele  in  the  middle  of  the  day  to  the  depth  of  about   forty 
feet,  the  air,  or  vapour,  ^grew  (b  hot  and  iuiFocating,  that  it  was 
impoflible  to  proceed  any  lower.     Thefe  chafms,  perhaps,  have  a 
very  extenfive  fubterraneous  communication;  and,   whenever  the 
external  air  is  highly  rarefied,*  the  vapours  wfti  upwards  through  the 
aperture   in  a  continued  ftream ;  on  the  contrary,  when  the  ex* 
ternai  air  is  in   a  different  ftate,  it  probably  defcends  with   fome 
violence  into  thefe  openings:  at  certain  times  therefore,  as  for  ex- 
ample in  the  f^arly  morning-hours,   it  may.  be  practicable  to  gq 
down  very  low  into  theni  without  inconvenience  or  danger,  hi  moft 
of  them  are  found  large  quantities  of  human  bones,  almoft  con* 
fumed  by  time,  the   teeth  alone  being  in  a  tolerably  perfedl   ftate. 
Some  have  conjedured,  that   thefe  places  were  either  nfed  by  the 
Indians  as  oftuaries,  or  elfe  as  occafion^l  retreats,  to  elude  the  fearch^ 
of  an  enemy.     The  moft  probable  account  is,  that  the  bones  be- 
longed to  thofe  poor  Indian  natives  who  fell  victims  to  the  barbarity 
of  their  Spanifli  conquerors ;  for  Efquemeling,  who  wrote  in  J  666, 
and  had  feen  great  quantities  of  human  bones  lying  in  caves  in  th^ 
ifland  of  Hifpaniola,  tells  us  he  was  informed,  by  the  inhabitants 
of  that  ifland,  that,  when  the  Spaniards  had  refolved  upon  the  ex- 
tirpation of  the  Indians,  they  made  ufe  of  dogs  of  a  peculiar  breed, 
large,    bold,  and   very  fleet.     The  poor  Indians  having  for  fomc 
time   been  obliged  to  take  refuge  in   their  woods,'  thefe  animals 
were  conftantly  employed  to  hunt  them  out.     The  Spaniards  by 
this  means  caught  a  great  pumber  of  them;  and  were  content  at- 
firft  to  kill  fevdral,  quartering  their  bodies,  and. fixing   their  limbs 
on  the  moft  confplcuous  fpots  in  terrorem^  that  the  reft  might  take 
warning  by  their  fate,  and  fubmit  at  difcretion.     But  this  horrid 
cruelty,  ihftead  of  intiniidating  or  reducing  to  friendly  terms,  only 
ferved  toembitter  them  more  againft  their  jfavage  invader?,  and  af- 
fefted  them  with  fp  inveterate  an  abhorrenqe  of  the  Spaniards,  that 
they  determined  i6  fly  their'  fighf  for  ever,  and  rather  perilh  by 
Vol.- II.  X  famine- 


154  J    AM    A    I    C    A. 

fiunine-of  their  own  hands,  than  fall  into  the  power  of  fb  mercilefs 
an  enemy.  The  greater  part  of  them  therefore  retired  into  caves 
and  fubterraneoHS  privacies  among  the  mountains  i  where  they  mi- 
ferably  periflied,  leaving  a  fad,  though  glorious,  monument  to  fu- 
ture ages,  of  their  having  difdained  to  furvive  the  lofs  of  liberty 
and  their  country. 

State  of  Port  Royal  Parifli : 

Annual  Produoe 
of  Su^. 
Negroes.         Cattle.         Sugar-woikst       |  Hog(heads.  |  SetdementV; 

i734>  1548  106 

1740,  1546  158 

1745*  ^685  35 

1761,  1203 

^1768,  1432  170  I  I  60  I  II 

We  have  here  a  glaring  proof,  that  this  parifh  is  declining  very 
iaft,  and  perhaps  irreparably ;  fince  there  appear  no  means  of 
putting  the  town  into  a  more  thriving  way ;  and  the  inland  part 
of  the  parifh  is  too  rugged  or  fteep  to  admit  of  any  confiderable. 
fettlements,  while  the  traft  adjacent  to  the  coaft  is  rather  fterile, 
and  deditute  of  a  good  fliipping-pliace. .  The  only  barquadier  is 
near  the  mouth  of  Bull  River,  where  none  burfmall:  veflfels  cau 
lie ;  and  the  anchorage  is  unfafe,  on  account^of  the  opennefs  of 
the  bay. 


SECT.     ly. 

St.  David,  in  the  Precin^k  of  St.  Thomas  in  the  East; 

THIS  parifli  is  bounded  on  the  Eaft,  by  St,  Thbmas  in  the 
E^ft,  and  a  part  of  Portland;  on  the  Weft,  by  Port  Royal  parifli, 
and  a  fmall  part  of  St.  Andrew ;  on  the  North,  by  St.  George ; 
and  on  the  South,  by  the  fea.  It  is  watered  by  fix  rivers,  the  prin- 
cipal of  which  are,  Collier's,  Vavafor's,  and  Yallah's.  The  latter 
takes  its  6rft  fource  in  the  Blue  Mountains,  and,  after  a  mean- 
dring  courfe  of  twenty-five  miles,  falls  into  the  bay  of  the  fame 
name,  a  fmall  diftance  from  the  difcharge  df  the  others.  This 
parifh   was   formerly  populous :    in  the  year  1 673    it   contained 

eighty 


BOO;?:  iii.^  cfiAP.'  vra.  ^^s 

eighty  fettl^ments;  butj  thajpfs  of;  regular  feafoiis  occafildfied .  itt 
defertion.  The  hamlet  at  Yallah^s  Bay  confifts  of  a  few  fcattered 
houfes,  near  the  church,  which  is  a  very  fmall  building,  though 
large  enough  for  the  pariihioners  ;  the  re£tor's  ftipend  loo/.  per 
annum.  The  (hipping- places  are,  Yallah's  Bay,  and  Cow  Bay,  At 
the  former,  there  is  anchorage  for  larg«  (hips ;  but  at  the  latter 
only  fmall  veffels  can  lie.  Yallah's  Bay  is  (heltered  from  the 
breezes  and  Norths  by  a  point  of  land.  .  But  no  (hipping  can  lie 
with  fafety  at  either  of  thefe  places  in  a  ftrong  Southerly  wind, 
on  account  of  the  prodigious  fwell  which  (ets  in.  Cow  Bay  is  rc*- 
markable  for  having  been  the  fcene  of)  ^H  extraordinary  afbion  ia 
ttie  year  1681;  when  Sir  Hc^jry  Morgan,  the  governor,  having 
intelligence  that  one  Ever(bn,  a  famous  Dutch  pirate,  rid  there 
with  a  floop  and  a  barqua  longa,  manned  with  about  one  hundred  def<« 
perate  fellows,  difpatched  a  (loop  with  fifty  men,  befides  officers, 
«i  queft  of  Ijiip.  On  the  firft  of  Februafy  the  governor's  armed 
veflel  attacked  the  pirate,  and  after  fome  refinance,  in  which  the 
Dutch  captain  was  killed,  got  poflefBon  of  thp.floop.  Thp  birk 
cut  her  cable,  and  efcaped  by  outfaijing  her  pur(uer.  .The  piratical 
crew,  who  were  alnioft  >sill  of  them  Englifli,  Sir  Henry  (ent  to 
the  governor  of  Carthagena,  to  receive  pucnfhment  for  all  the  out« 
rages  they  had  committed  upoa  the  Spaniards.  In  this  he  was 
thought  by  fbme  to  have  gotie  too  far ;  but  he  was  willing  perhaps* 
to  convince  the  Spaniards;  by  this  facrifice,  t}iat  he  knew  how  to 
di(lingui(h  between  hoftilities  carriesd  on  under  a  lawful  commidion, 
and  a£ts  of  lawlefs  piracy ;  and  that  he  wai  determined  to  keep  the 
treaty  with  the  Spaniards  inviolate  on-  his  part.  In  1 694,  twelve 
fail  of  the  fleet,  under  camm^nd  of  Du  Cafie,  anchored  in  this 
bay,  landed  their  men,  and  plundered  and  burnt  all  before  them^ 
for  feveral  miles;  killed  the  cattle;  drove  whole  flocks  of  iheep^ 
into  houfes,  and  then  fired  them.  They  put  feveral  of  the  pri- 
loners  they  took  to  torture,  murdered  others  in  cold  blood,  and 
committed  the  moft  (hocking  barbarities.  Some  days  afterwards^ 
feveral  of  the  fleqt  being  forced  put  to  fea  by  the  violence  of  the 
wind,  which  drove  their  anchors  home,  the  commanding  ofE.cer; 
of  the  militia  in  thi$. quarter  fell  npon  their  draggling  parties  ovt 
(hore,  flew  many  of  th^m,  and  forced  the  r^ft  to^t^ke  ihelter  qq 

X  z  board 


t^  J-  A    »^   A    I    C    A; 

board  their  (hips,  leaving  their  provifions  behind.    Soon  after  thU 
aftion,  they  failed  away.  ^     • 

This  coaft  was  always  miich  expofed  to  the  infult  of  privateers, 
until  the  laft  war;  when  a  fraall  frigate  was  flationed  at  Morant  to 
windward,  which  being  only  five  leagues  from  Cow  Bay,  it  would 
be  very  difficult  for  an  enemy's  veflel  to  efcape  after  making  a  de- 
fcent.  This  pari(h  has  three  lar^e  ponds  on  the  coaft,  divided  from 
the  fea  only  by  a  very  narrow,  fandy  bank,  fo  that  the  waters  com- 
municate. Two  of  them  are  fituated  in  the  South-Eaft  fide,  between 
White  River  and  Yallah*s  Bay ;  the  larger  is  two  miles  and  a 
quarter  in  length,  and  three  quarters  in  breadth  in  the  wideft 
part-;  a  very  narrow  flip  feparates  this  from  the  next,  which  is 
about  a  mile  in  length.  Thefe  were  antiently  pans,  formed  by  the 
£ngli(h  who  firft  fettled  in  the  parifli,  for  making  fait.  They  were 
probably  afterwards  deftroyed  by  inundations  of  the  fea  in  the  great 
earthquake  and  fubfequent  hurricanes;  and  they  have  now  a  con- 
fiderable  depth  of  water  in  fome  places.  The  third  lies  about  twa 
miles  Weft  of  thefe,  and  is  about  one  mile  in  length,  and  of  un-* 
equal  breadth.  If  the  pari(h  was  crouded  with  fettlements,  thefe 
bafons  might  be  converted  to  fome  advantageous  fcheme,  either  for 
maintaining  a  fifliery,  or  opening  a  water-carriage  from  the  Eaft- 
ern  part  to  Yallah's  Bay;  which  would  be  extremely  feafible.. 
The  lower  or  more  level  range  of  the  parifh,  lying  between  the 
hills  and  the  fea,  was,  by  the  failure  of  the  regular  ieafbns,  in  ge*- 
neral  fo  dry,  that  canes  would  not  grow  hiere;  and  the  fettlements, 
thinly  fcattered,  confided  only  of  penns  and  (heep-paftures,  untit 
within  thefe  few  years,  when  a  gentleman  who  poflefles  a  property 
here  conceived  the  idea  of  watering  it  from  the  neighbouring  river- 
The  experiment  anfwered  much  beyond  his  expedlation :  he  foon 
covered  his  formerly  parclied  land  with  the  verdure  of  cane  piece^. 
and  has  now,  as  I  am  informed,  made  a  noble  eftate  of  four  hun< 
dred  hogflieads  per  annum ;  the  land  proving  moft  amazingly  fertile,, 
infomuch  that  I  have  heard  it  aiierted  to  have  yielded  him  from 
three  to  four  hogflieads  per  acre.  This  example  may  probably 
operate  upon  his  neighbours;  and,  in  procefs  of  time,  St.  David- 
will  in  'c(M)fequence  become  a  populous  and  wealthy  parifli.  The 
aif  is  efteemed  healthy  in  all  parts  of  it,  except  the  neighbourhood 

of 


B  O  OK    II      G  HAP.    VIII.  157 

0r  the  Saltpobds^  but,  if  the  parifh  fliould  ever  be  thick- fettled, 
»hc  mangrove-trees,  which  confine  the  atmofphere  on  the  fwampy 
borders  of  thefe  ponds,  will  be  cut  down,  or  probably  fbme  method 
fallen  upon,  to  drain  them.  The  glades  between  the  hills  are  ex- 
eeedingljr  fertile ;  and  the  air  and  water  perfeftly  good. 

State  of  the  Parifli : 

Annual  produce 
of  Sugar. 
Negroes*         Catdc.         Sugar-woiks.         |   Hogftcads.   |   Other  Setdementi. 

1740,,        1628'        H97 

1745^         ^3(>5        H94r 
1761,         1838 

1768,        2316        t66y  8  ||     550     I  3^ 

This  pari(h  is  evidently  on  the  improving  hand,  having  increa(ed 

both  in  number  of  Negroes  and  cattle*    And  it  i^^  to  be  hoped,  the 

Bew  fyftem  of  watering  will  pervade  the  lower  quarter  as  far  as 

may  be  prafticable,    that  the  greater  part  of  that  traft  may  be 

brought  into>cultivatiom 


S^  E  C  T.    V. 

*  St^ Thomas  in  the  East. 

THIS  delightful  parifli  is  bounded  on  the  South  and  Eaft  by 
the  Tea ;  on  the  North,  by  Portland ;  and  on  the  Weft,  by  St.  Da- 
vid. It  is  plentifully  watered  by  upwards  of  twenty  rivers  and 
ifnaller  ilreams :  the  principal  are,  the  Negroe,  the  Morant,  and 
l^IanOin  Garden  rivers ;  the  laft-mentioned  of  which  is  navigable 
by .  fmall  boat^  for  a  confiderable  way  up.  This  river  fweeps 
tbfQUgh  the  parifli  from  Eaft  to  Weft  in  a  meandring  courfe  of 
abchlt  twenty  miles  from  its  fource,  whicli  lies  among  the  Blue 
Mountains :  the  other  two  crofs  it  from  North  to  South,  at  the 
diftaoce  of  'about  half  a  mile  from  each  other.  Upon  entering 
this  paiifii  ft'om  St.  David's,  the  land  rifes  on  the  coaft ;  and  the 
road  lies  along  fliore  near  a  mile,  pafting  under  two  precipitous 
mountains,  compofed  of  rocks,  and  Jirata  of  a  light-coloured 
friable  i&arle,  intermixed  with  large  pebbles*    Thefe  cliffs  are  feen 

a  great 


158  JAMAICA. 

a  great  diftance  from  the  coaft,  and  called  by  feameii  <*  The  Wii^e 
Horfes/'  The  furf  fets  in  here  very  high  upon  the  beach,,  and 
ibmetionues  runs  up  quite  to  the  foot  of  the  cliff;  but,  in  generaj^ 
the  fea  is  not  fb  boifterous  9s  to  prevent  carriages  frooi  paffing. 
On  leaving  the  Ihore,.  the  road  becomes  hilly  fpr  naoft  part  of  the 
way,  till  we  come  to  Morant,  which  is^about  four  miles  to  the 
Eaftward.  The  bay  of  Morant  is  a  confiderable  (hipping-place. 
The  road  in  which  the  (hips  anchor  is  well  defended  frpm  the  fea 
by  a  reef  of  rocks:  the  fliore  is  lined  with  (tpres  a,nd  ware-houfes 
at  the  bottom  of  a  rifing  ground,  on  \yhich  the  village  ftaijds^ 
which  confifts  of  about  thirty  houfes,  or  piarp,  as  it  cgmprcheiids 
within  its  circuit  the  church,  which  is  not  far  diftant.  This  village 
is  growing  faft  into, a  town,  and  indeed  bjett^r  deferves  ,that  appel- 
lation than  fome  others*  in  the  ifland  :  the  church  b  a  handfome 
building ;.  and  adjoipiug  is  the  parfonage,  an  exceedingly  comfor^ 
table  m^nfion :  the  ftipend  .anne,xed  to  this  living  is  2^0/.;  bqt* 
confidering  the  extent  of  the  parifh,  the  reiftgr's  income  is  probably 
not  much  fliort  of  from  five  to  fix  hundred  pounds^^r  amunu  There 
are  feveral  circumftances  which  feem  to  favour  the  growth  of  a 
.  town  here.  The  foil  is  dry,  the  air  healthy,  and  the  water  good 
and  in  great  plenty ;  tlje  Eaftern  ^branch  of  Morant  River  faU 
.  into  the  fea  on  one  fide  of  the  bay  ;  and  the  country  bishind^  and 
,  all  around,  is  well-fctcled  and  fertile.  The  dipping  are  de&hded 
by  a  fraall  battery,  kept  in  good  repair.  About  fitf  miles  furtlaer 
Eaflward,  the  road  brings  us  to  Port  Morant,  whicti  is  one  of  tlie 
largeft  and  mod  beautiful  ^harbours  in  Jamaica.  It  runs  up  the 
country  about  two  miles  and  a  quarter ;  the  entrance  is  about  one 
mile  acrofs ;  but  the  channel  dangerous  to  flrangers,  on  account  of 
two  reefs  in  the  offing,  which  have  proved  fatal  to  feveral  flitps* 
On  the  windward-fide,  the  land  ranges  pretty  high,  covered  with 
thick  wood ;  and,  being  (heltered  on  all  fides  by  the  main^land  and 
the  reefs,  it  is  always  fecure,  and  has  a  good  depth  of  water.  The 
entrance  is  defended  by  a  fmall  battery  on  the  Eaft  fide.  The  old 
fort  was  erefted  on  the  oppofite  fide ;  but  it  was  ill-conftru6ted,  and 
cfleemed  not  healthy  [a].     It  was  in  the  neighbourhood  of  thi« 

[^.•]  Provifion  has  lately  been  made  by  the  aflembly  for  re»building  two  forts,  or  batteries,  one 
oi^  each  fide  the  entranced 

/harbour 


BOOK    IL      CHAP.      VIII.  15, 

Mrbour  that  governor  Stokes  fettled  in  1656,  with  his  colony  of 
Nevis  planter^    The  ^governor  fixed  himfelf  about  tvro  miles  and 
a  half  firo«n  the  head  of  the  harbour,  where  the  plantation,  called 
Stbkes^hall,  ftill  •  commemorates  hini.     In  1671,  notwithftanding 
the  tttortality  which  had  fwept  off  many  of  the  firft  planters,  there 
were  upwards  of  fixty  fettlements  in  this  neighbourhood  ;  many  of 
which  formed  a  line  along  the  coaft  Eaftward  from  the  harbour, 
where  are  Only  two  or  three  at  prefent.     Point  Morant,  which  is 
the  Eafternmoft  end  of  the  ifland,  is  diftant  between  nine  and  tea 
miles  from  Morant  Harbour.     Adjacent  to  the  Point  are'ncar  eight 
tho\jfand' acres -of  very  fine-land,  moftly  a  rich,  black  taould  upon 
a  clay*  at  pfefent  -in^mbrafs,  and  therefore  faeglefted  ;  but  it  is  ca-' 
p«ble  (by  draining)  of' being' converted  into  rich  fagar-plantations ; 
an  example  of  which  has  been  (hewn  in  the  Northern' Quarter  of 
it,  borderhig'tSpon  Plrfntain  Garden- River;  where' an  eftatc,  formed 
out  of  the  morafs  not  many  years  firice  by  this  mode  bf  imiprove- 
ment,  was  lately  fold  for   105,600/.  anxl  is  thought  to   be  well 
worth  the  money.     The  draining' of  this^  lafge  tradt  would  anfwer* 
the  further  good  purpofe  of  rendering  all  the  fettlements,  that  lie 
td  leeward  of  it,  mbre  healthy ;  and  in  procefs  of  time  this  may 
pfl)bably   be  accompli(hed[^].      The  road,  continuing  along  the' 
Weft  fidfe  of -the  harbour,    and  running  Northwards  abbut  five' 
miles/'terminates  at  the  town- of  B^h^  which  is  forty-four  railed 
diftant  from  Ifiingfton,  and  about  fixty  from  Spanifh  Town.     The 
road 'from  Kingfton  was  made  partly  by  private  fubfcription,    and 
'partly  puhlick  grants.     As  it  pafles  the  whole  way  near  the  coaft, 
arid  through  a  variety  of  flouriftiing  fettlements,  it  is  cheered  with  ' 
a  number  of  moft  agreeable  profpefts  ;  and,  to  render  it  more'  corn-  * 
modious  for  travellers,  there  are  rtiile-ftdnes  fixed  all  along;    Since 
the  Bath  has  become  a  place  of  le(s  refort  than  formerly,  this  road  ' 
has  been    too   much   negleded.      Some   parts  of  it   were  formed  * 

[i]  About  ten  leagues  Soutb-eatl  from  the  Point,  or  Cajje  of  Morant,  lie  the  two  Morant 
tasyeSf  called  by  the  French  RaHas%  The  North-eaft  caye  is  placed  in  Uuiuide  1 7^  26^  North ;  and 
ihc  South-weft  in  17®  20'.  As  they  are  dire«5lly  in  the  track  of  fliips  coining  down  to  Jamdrca. 
from  EunopCy  or  the  Windward  lilands,  great  caution  is  ufal  not  to  t^all  in  with  them  iit  the  ixight'  - 
time*  Not  long  fince,  a  Guiney-inan  was  wrecked  here.  But  fuch  acctdeots  have  very  nrely 
happened.  Under  the  South  well  caye  there  is  good  anchpi-agc  from  6Ye  to  eighteea  fathom 
water. 

witl> 


i6o  JAMAICA, 

.with  infinite  labour,  being  carried  along  the  i^e  of  a  lofty  pre- 
cipice of  iblid  rock,  which  nothmg  but  the  iprce  of  gan*po>vder 
could  penetrate.  This  pafs  is  very  tremendous  in  a  wheel-carriage ; 
from  one  fide  of  which,  the  eye  is  terrified  by  the  view  of  a  rivef 
foaming. feveral  hundred  feet  below;  but  a  parapet  wall  is  built,  for 
the^fecurity  of  paflengers,  where  any  danger  may  be  apprehended. 

The  Bath  waters  have  long  been  known,  and  juftly  celebrated  for 
their  falutary  virtues.  They  are  faid  to  have  been  firft  difcovered 
by  colonel  Stanton,  formerly  a  planter  and  inhabitant  of  theparilh^ 
who  was  proprietor  of  the  demefne  in  which  they  rife,  aiid  fold  his 
right  to  the  publick  for  a  valuable  confideraticwj,  paid  hiiji  in  pur- 
(uance  of  an  aft  of  aflembly  pafl'ed  in  the  year  1.699.  The  :diftance 
and  trouble  of  coming  at  them  prevented  any  experiment  being  made 
of  th^ir  e^cacy,  till  about  the  year  1696,  when  two  perfons,  one 
of  whpm*  was  greatly  reduced  by  the  belly-ach,  the  other  by  the 
venereal  difeafe,  had  recourfe  to  them  for  a  cure:  they  carried 
proper  necedaries  with  them;  built  huts;  and^  by  thejnternal  and 
external  ufe  of  the  hot  fpring,  they  found  their  he^ilth  re-efta* 
bliihed  in  the  fpace  of  only  ten  days*  The  water  was  foon  after* 
wards  tried  in  the  prefence  of  the  governor,  Sir  William  Beefton^ 
with  an  infufion  of  galls,  which  in  twenty- four  houcs  gave  it  the 
tinfture  of  Canary-wine,  or  old-hock ;  a  fufficient  proof  that  it  is 
not  impregnated  with  chalybeate,  or  at  leaft  in  a  very  fmail  portion. 

The  hot  fpring  iffues  by  feveral  different  rills  from  fijflures  in 
the  fide  of  a  rocky  cliff,  the  foot  of  which  is  wa(hed  by  the  Sul- 
phur River.  The  fpring  is  in  fuch  a  ftate  of  ebullition,  when  re* 
ceived  inimediately  from  the  rock  in  a  glafs,  and  applied  to  the  Iips« , 
that  it  can  only  be  fipped  like  tea.  This  has  given  pccafion  to  fome 
dealers  in  the  marvelous  to  affirm,  that  it  is  hot  enough  to  boil 
chickens  and  even  turkies.  I  have,  indeed,  been  afl'ured  by  men 
of  veracity,  that  it  will  coagulate  the  white  of  an  egg,  if  placed 
clofe  to  the  fifTure,  and  held  there  for  fbme  time  covered  from  the 
air :  and  of  this  I  have  no  doubt ;  for  it  is  to  be  remarked,  that  at 
fbme  times  it  is  heated  to  a  far  greater  degree  than  at  others,  which 
depends  probably  on  the  greater  or  lefs  effervefcence  of  the  water 
within  the  bowels  of  the  mountain  from  whence  the  fpring  de- 
rives its  fburce.  It  is  naturally  light,  fparkles  when  received  in  the 
■      I  glafs. 


••   •  ■        I 


BdO*    Hl.^  GHApJ.   VIII.  Mfr 

glafs,  ferilients  flightly  with  acids,  tunisfilver  WaeT^j'a'na 
copioufly  charged  with  volatyepftrticles,  combined  with   a  pfilo- 
gillie,  a  calcareous  earth,  and  a  portion  of  fixible  air:  it  has  a  nau- 
leous  tafte  when  drunk  at  the  rock ;  but  thi^  leaves  it  on  being 
feme  time  kept.     The  face  of  the  rock  ovtr  which  it  flows  is  co- 
vered with   an  ochrous  precipitation,    impregnated   with   fulphun 
It  is  remarkably  beneficial  in  all  capillary  obftru6l:ions  and  diforders 
tof  the  breaft,  proceeding  from  weaknefs,  or  want  of  the  proper 
glandular  fecretions ;  in  all  lentors  and  vifcidities,  proceeding  from  in- 
action ;  in  confumptions,  and  nervous  fpafms.     It  reftores  the  ap- 
petite, and  natural  aftion  of  the  bowels ;  invigorates  thtf  circula- 
tion; warms  the  juices ;  opens  the  (kin ;  cleanfes  the  urinary  pafi 
fages;  ftrengtheos  the  ilerves;  and  feldora  fails  to  procure  an  eafy 
deep  at  night.     Externally  ufed,  by  way  of  a  fomentation,  it  has 
been  known  to  heal  the  moft  obftinate  ulcers.     In  paralytic  com- 
plaints  it  Is  generally  fuccefsful,  and  has  recruited  many  conftitutions 
that  were  impaired  by  debauch,  or  lingering  intermittents.     Nil -. 
merous  as  its  known  virtues  are,  it  ftill  requires  a  more  thorough 
analyfis.     Some  other  particulars  likewife  ought  to  be  afcertained, 
in  order   to  make  it  of   more  general  uie.     But,    of    the  different 
phyficians  who    have  refided  here,    I   know   of  none   that    has 
been  at  the  pains  to  examine  it  fcientifically,  or  atleaft  that  has  fa- 
voured the  public  with  any  difc6very  of  the   principal  purpofes  to 
which  it  is  applicable  in  medicine,  or  of  the  methods  by  which  it 
may  be  beft  adminiftered,  to  anfwerthe  cure  of  difeafes  ;  or  of  the 
fubftances  proper  to  be  ufed  at  the  fame  time  with  it.     Thefe  parti- 
culars are  left  at  prefent  to  the  difcretion  of  the  patients,  who  drink 
it,  for  the  moft  part,  with  very  little  attention  to  rule  or  meafure; 
and  therefore  fome  of  them  do  not  reap  all  the  advantages  from  the 
ufeofit,  which,   under  due  regulation,  it  might  be  capable  of  pro- 
ducing.    The  general  enquiries  are, 

1.  What  is  the  fitteft  flate  in  which  the  water  fliould  be  drank? 

« 

2.  The  quantity? 

J.  Time  of  the  day? 

4.  Length  of  time  proper  for  it  to  be  continued? 

5.  Seafon  of  the  year  in  which  it  is  moft  efficacious? 

Vol.  II.  Y  6.  Regimen 


ilA  JAMAICA.. 

6«  Regimen  of  life^  and  diet^  whilil  under  the  courfe^ 
y.  What  modfcin^s  preparatory  to,  or  to  cooperate  with,  the  ufe 
ofit[c]? 

In  general,  it  is  drank  immediately  from  the  ipnng,  beginning  with 
one  half-pint  glafs^  and  increaiing  the  number  to  three  or  more. 
It  has  been  found  to  have  the  bef^  cffoGt  takei)  on  an  etppty  Ao* 
mach  early  in  the  morning ;  hut  ibme  repeat  the  draught  in  the 
afternoon,  befides  taking  a  confiderabte  quantity,  mixed  with  a 
little  rum  and  fugar,  by  way  of  a  diluent  at  dinner.  All  fruits  and 
other  acids  are  cautioufly  abftained  from,  and  vegetables  fparingly 
indulged.  The  diet  mofl:  ufual  confifls  of  fifh,  black  crabs,  fowls^ 
and  the  more  delicate  kinds  of  butchers  meat,  with  puddings^  and 
the  like.  At  firft  drinking,  it  difFufes  a  thrilling  glow. over  the 
whole  body  ;  and  the  continued  ufe  enlivens  the  Ipirits,  and  fome* 
times  produces  almofl  the  fame  joyous  effeds  as  inebriation.  Oa 
this  account,  feme  notorious  topers  have  quitted  their  claret,  for 
a  while,  and  come  hither,  merely  for  the  fake  of  a  little  variety 
in  their  practice  of  debauch,  and  to  enjoy  the  lingular  felicity  of 
getting  drunk  with  water.  The  cpld  fulphureous  fpring,  which 
rifes  near  Blue  Mountain  Valley,  in  this  parifli,  fome  miles  Weft- 
ward  of  the  bath,  ismoregrofs,  and  abundantly  impregnated  with 
fulphur,  diftiuguilhedby  the  foetorof  its  fmell  and  inflammable  fe- 
diment.  It  is  efteerned  more  effeftual  than  the  other  in  all  cuta-- 
neous  difbrders,  obftinate  obftruftions  in  the  bowels,  the  fcurvy^ 
and  all  the  other  difpofitions  of  the  juices  that  require  ftrong  lixi* 
vious  diflblvents :  for  thefe  reafbns,  in  fome  habits,  it  is  recom^ 
mended  to  fucceed  a  moderate  courfe  of  the  hot  ipriog ;  but  it  is 
not  much  frequented,  except  by  inhabitants  of  the  neighbourhood. 
The  mountains,  between  which  the  Sulphur  iRiver  takes  its  courie,. 
defcend  on  each  fide  with  fo  precipitous  a  declivity,  that  it  was 
^  found  imprafticable  to  build  a  town  at  the  fpring,;  there  is  barely 
room  to  admit  a  bathing-houfe,  and  even  this  is  inconveniently 
fituated  on  the  fide  oppolite  the  fpring ;  fo  that,  before  the  water- 
can  be  conveyed  acrofs  in  a  wooden  gutter,  laid  from  the  rock  to* 
the  bathing-houfe,   it  lofes  inuch   of  its   heat    and  volatile   gas- 

ff]  See  Falconer's  treatife  on  the  Bath- water  of  Somerfetlhirej  which  njents  theperufd  of  any 
gentltman  who  may  incline  to  try  experiments  on  that  of  Jamaica.. 

This 


BOOK    n-      CHAP,    yill.  163 

This  could  not  be  remedied,  except  by  ufiiig  an  iron  pipe^  to  cou-^ 
du£t  the  water ;  for  a  building  cannot  be  exeded  on  the  fame  fide  as 
the  fpriug,  without  being  fo  remote  from  it,  either  above  or  below, 
as  to  be  liable  to  equal  inconvenience.  This  is  the  cafe  with  refpeft 
to  a  bathtng-houfe  for  paupers,  built  by  the.  river's  fide  above  the 
fpring  by  a  teftamentary  donation  of  Peter  Valctte,  cfq;  which  is 
at  too  great  a  diftance.  This  gentleman,  having  obferved  with  re- 
gret that  many  poor  and  fick  white  perfbns,  who  had  come  from; 
time  to  time  to  Bath  for. the  benefit  of  the  waters,  either  died,  or 
fuffered  greatly  for  want  of  fubfiQ:ence,  and  the  common  neceilarles 
of  life,  d^yifed  the  fum  of  100/.  per  annmh  payable  during 
the  term  of  ten  years,  from  the  time  of  his  deceafe,  towards  the 
relief  and  fupport  of  fuch  poor  perfons,  not  being  indented  fervants; 
nor  having  any  vifible.way  df  maintaining  themfelves,  who  might 
£rom  time  to  time  actually  refide  about  the  Bath-fpring;  directing 
the  phyficiau  thereto  deliver  a  weekly  ftipend  of  ys.  6d.  into  the 
hands  of  all  fuch  objects  of  charity;  or  otherwife  to  lay  out  tho 
iame  for  their  ufe  and  benefit  during  .the  time  of  their  refidence, 
not  exceeding  thr^ee  months  each :  and, :  iu  caie  of  any  overplus  re« 
maining  at  the  end  of  the  year,  he^iired'that  it  might  be  expended 
in  providing  nurfesr  to  attend  the  poor  infirm  people  at  the  fpring, 
/or  in  building  lodging<vhoufes  and  ajocommodations  for  them  near 
it.  His  executors  performed  thjsir  truft  with  great  propriety. 
They  built  an  hofpital,  provided  nurfes,  Ffupported  upwards 
of  one  hundred  paupers,  who  had  come  from  different  parts 
of  the  ifland  at  various  times  for  relief;  and  in  lyyif  when 
the  ten  years  term  afligned  by  the  donpr  expired,  had  a  ba- 
lance of  96/.  in  their  hands.  The  aflembly,  upon  their  repre- 
fentation,^  that,  without  the  public  afiiflance,  this  neceflary  relief 
could  no  longer  be  continued  to  diflrefled  objefts  reforting  to  Bath, 
benevolently  granted  an  aid  of  'jol.per  mn.  and  ordered  the  fame  to 
be  paid  into  the  hands  of  the  phyfician  there,  to  be  expended,  and 
accounted  for,  to  the  fame  good  purpofes,  and  under  the  fame 
provifions,  as  Mr.  Valette's  annuity.  This  worthy  man  ha«  thus 
laid  the  foundation  of  a  very  ufeful  charity,  which  is  likely  to  be 
permanent ;  fince  there  is  no  doubt  but  the  aflembly  will  continue 
to  fupport  it  by  an  annual  benefaftion.  A£ts  of  this  kind  are  real  mo* 

Y  2  numents 


i64  •     JAMAICA. 

imments  of  honour,  which   outlive  the  coftlieft  fculpture,  attraft 
panegyric  without  flattery,  and  veneration  without  envy. 

The  patients,  who  defire  to  drink  the  water  in  the  greatefl:  per- 
feftion,  take  their  ftand  upon  large  flat  ftones  in  the  river-courfe, 
within  two  or  three  feet  of  the  rock,  and  receive  it  immediately 
from  the  hand    of   the  drawer.      The  mountain,    called  Carrion 
Crow  Ridge,  in  which  it  takes  its  fource,  is  one  of  the  higheft  ii> 
this  ifland,  and  appears  from  forae  diflance  below  to  have- a  iharper 
pike  than  moft  others.     The  town  of  Bath  is  ieated  about  a  mile 
and  three  quarters  from  the  fpring,  on  a  triangular  flat,  waflied  on 
three  fidcfs  by  the  Sulphur,  Ifland,  and  Plantain  Garden  rivers;  W 
that  it  is  a  perfe6l  peninfu'la,    bounded,  whete  it  joins  ••the  mai«- 
land,  witli  a  range  of  hills,  which  gradually  rife  one  abovte  another, 
till  they  reach  the  Blue  Monntains.     The  three  rivers  unite  their 
flreams  a  little  beyond  the  town,  and  continue  rh*€ir  current  tft- 
gether  till  they  fall  •  into  thefea.'    This- low  (ituat ion  ttvakes;  the' 
town  very  liable  to  be  incommoded*  by  inundations,  ivhenev^r  fhele 
rivers  happen  to  be  fwelled  ;jby  the  auturtin^l  raltts.*    l^hey  have 
often  endangered  fome  of^tlJe'buildiwgs-;   andf  feldorh  retire  id  to- 
their  proper  channels  without  con^mitdng  depredation.     In  other 
refpe(9:s,  the  diftance  from  the  fprilig  is  att>eiided  with  the  Happiefi:' 
confequences  to  the  patients,  who  ride  on  horfe-back  to  drirrfc  at  it 
twice  a  day,  attd  promote  tlifc  eteca<?f^'of -fhe  water  by  joinhig  (a 
wholefome  an  .ek^Vcifc  with  'ir.     'The  road  which   leads  to.  the 
Ipring  is  of  a  romantic •ajf>fearance,  beii>g  coridudled  along  the  fides 
of   very   fteep  mountains  fche  whole  way,  whofe  projeftions  and 
gullies  have  not  unaptly  been  compared  to  the  folds  or  plaits  of  a 
man's  coat.     It  is   not  in  all  parts  of  /iffficient  width  for  a  wheet- 
carriage  to  pafs,  nor  very  fecure  even  for  *h6rfcs,  if  they  (hould  be 
flcittilh  ;  for  here  and  there  it  over-harigs  the  river  at  a  great  ele- 
vation; and  thefe  precipices  have  no' other '  fafeguard  againft '  fuch 
kind  of  accidents,  than   the  trees   which  grow  upon  their  fece. 
Among  thefe  mountains  is  great  abundance  of  iron  ore.     The  pre>* 
fence,  indeed,  of  this  metallic  fubftance  is,  in  the  C3^inions  of  fbme^ 
fufficicntly  evidenced  by  the  quality    of  the  waters  iffuing  fronti 
them;    but  it  is  not  probable  they  Will  ever  be  explored  for  the 
fake  of  obtaining  it,  •' '  *      •  '■    '  -'        •     ■ 

Tlie 


BOOK    IL      CHAP.     Vlir.  165 

The  firft  vifit  paid  to  the  Hygaeian  fount  is  generally  Attended 
with  fome  terror ;  but  this  foon  wears  off;  and  I  have  known, 
ladies^  who,  from  a  very  cautious  fnail's  pace,  proceeded  gradually 
to  a  quick  trot,  and  at  lail  to  a  hand-gallop,  along  this  road,  cmr- 
boldened  by  habit^  and  animated  by  the  infpiriting  effe<Sls  of  the 
water.  To  prevent  getting  wet  with  fudden  (bowers,  which  fre- 
quently defcetid  from  the  furrounding  cloud-capped  fummits,  little 
dieds  are  ereded  at  (hort  intervals,  ftretehing  acrofs  the  road,  under 
which  the  bobelins  may  take  refuge..  Thefe  (howers  are  generally 
tranfient^  though  fometimes  heavy  while  they  laft.  The  hillrfide 
albng  the  road,  for  the-  moft  part,  confifls  oi  Jlrata  ^lxxA  hrge  mafles- 
of  a  brown,  brittle  flone,  which  Aides  off  in  thin  flakes,  fmootlv 
and  Ihining.  The  foil  above  is  a  deep,  rich  mould,,  chiefly  vege?- 
table;  and  it  abounds-  with  fowll  rills  of  very  fine  water.  The 
extraordinary  cures  performed  by  the  Bath-fpring  induced  the  le* 
giflature  of  the  ifland,  from  motives  of  humanity,  to  take  it  kinder 
their  fataifliion,  and  extend  fo  noble  a  remedy  to  thofe  poor  inhabi*: 
tants  who  might  want  the  means  of  procuring  fubfiftence  and  itae-i 
dical  advice,  whilft  under  its  operation.  They  formed  the  towiv 
into  a  corporation  by  law  ;  granted  it  a  public  feal ;  directed  the* 
manner  of  laying  out  and  ai?igning  the  lots  of  ground  ;  caufed^ 
thirty  Negroes  to  be  purchafed,  for  keeping  the  roadieading  to  the 
Iprrng  in  conftant  good  repair,  iand  planting  vegetable  provifiohS; 
for  the  ufe  of  poor  perfons  reforting  hitlier  ;  and  appointed  a  libeiar 
falary  for  a  phyfician,  to  be  refident  in  the  tou'n,  and  adminifter  td* 
the  poor  gratis.  For  the  better  accommodation  of  the  latter,  they 
founded  an  hofpital  in  the  fquare,  divided  into  convenient  wards  and' 
apartments.  The  reigning  fpirit  of  the  inhabitants  zealoufly  fecorid^d* 
thefe  charitable  provifions.  Many  perfons  of  fortune  took  up  lots*' 
and  began  to  ereft  houfes.  The  (quare  was  Ibon  adorned  Wxt\v  ttie- 
hofpital,  a  public  lodjging-houfe,  and  a  billiard-room.  ''  It  bccame- 
the  fafliion  every  year  foi*  a  crowd'  of  company  to  aflemble  here* 
fi-om  all  quarters  of  the  ifland.  I'he  powers  of  mufic  were  exerted^ 
the  card-tables  were  not  idle;  and',  in  (hort,  from  a  d re a'ry^ defer t, 
it  grew  into  a  fcene  of  polite  and  fecial  amufements.  This  (alas  f)' 
was  of  no  Ibng  continuance.  The  unfortunate 'politibal  'divifions, 
which  afterwards  prevailed  during  the  adtninifhation  of  a  certain 

z.  hot* 


i«6  JAMAICA, 

bot-headed  governor,  deftroyed  all  that  harmony  between  families 
which,  while  it  fubfifted,  hdd  been  the  principal  caufe  of  making 
this  place  an  occalional  retreat ;  where  they  had  ufed  to  meet  each 
other  in  friendfhip,  and  united  their  talents  of  pleafing.  The  fcene 
became  changed ;  party-rage  fuccecded  ;  the  partizans  of  the  dif- 
ferent faftions  could  not  endure  the  thought  of  mingling  together 
under  the  fame  roof;  and  the  more  moderate  perfons  grew  indif- 
ferent to  a  place,  where  chearfulnefs,  confidence,  and  mutual 
relpeft,  no  longer  held  any  fway.  From  this  period  began  its  de- 
cline. Mod  of  the  houfes  that  were  built  have,  from  negleft  and 
want  of  inhabitants,  gone  into  decay ;  the  half-fini(hed  frames  of 
fome,  which  were  juft  beginning  to  rear  their  heads,  have  moul- 
dered into  duft.  The  billiard-room  is  in  ruins;  and,  in  1768, 1  ob- 
ferved  the  tattered  remains  of  a  once  fuperfine  green  cloth,  which 
covered  the  table,  all  befmeared  with  the  ordure  of  goats  and  other 
animals,  who  took  their  nightly  repofe  upon  it.  At  this  time, 
the  town  was  reduced  to  about  nine  or  ten  habitations.  The  hof* 
pital  was  converted  into  a  barrack  for  a  company  of  the  regulars* 
Two  lodging- houfes  flill  reinain;  but  they  are  much  in  want  of 
repair,  and  feem  inclined  to  partak<e  of  the  general  ruin.  The  fa* 
lutary  ftream,  which  Providence  has  fo  benevolently  granted  for 
the  relief  of  human  mifery,  is  ungratefully  (I  had  almofl  faid  im- 
pioufly)  fuffered  to  glide  away  negleded  and  unheeded  to  the 
ocean^  as  if  it  had  entirely  lofl  its  former  virtues.  There  is  no** 
thing  more  reproachful  to  the  ceconomy  and  good-fenfe  of  the 
principal  men  in  this  ifland,  than  fo  (hameful  a  negle£t.  Will  it 
be  imputed  to  indolence,  to  caprice,  or  incontinence,  that,  after  Co 
much  folemnity  and  parade  in  eflabliihing  the  town ;  after  fb  much 
apparent  happinefs  derived  from  the  inditution ;  fuch  munificent 
proyiiions  for  the  tick  poor ;  after  advancing  the  pbn  fo  far  towards 
maturity ;  they  have  devoted  their  whole  fabric  to  fubverfion  ?  It 
is  much  to  be  regretted,  that  a  fcheme  attended  with  fo  large  an 
expence,  and  fb  well  calculated  for  the  public  health  and  entertain- 
ment, has  been  fb  unaccountably  dropped ;  when  a  fmair  annual 
fund,  fet  apart  for  the  purpofe,  would  have  fupported  all  the  build- 
ings ere£ted  here  for  the  general  uie  or  amufcment.  The  hofpital 
is  built  of  a  kind  of  white  free-ilone,  of  which  there  are  feveral 
t  quarries 


BOOK    IT.      CHAP.    VIIL  i&/ 

quarries  in  the  neighbourhood :  it  is  of  the  fame  quality  as  that 
which  abounds  in  the  parilhes  of  St.  Anne  and  Weftmoreland  ;  it 
is  very  foft,  and  eafily  wrought  when  firft  dug,  but  grows  hard  after 
expofure  for  fome  time  to  the  air.  The  foldiers,  on  their  firft  ar-^ 
rival  here^  became  iickly..  This  was  imputed  to  the  conflant  damp* 
aefs  of  the  walls  ^  for  which  realbn  they  were  afterwards  plai- 
ftcred ;  and  it  was  thought  they  grew  healthier ;  but  in  the  year 
1768  they. had  no  lelis  than  twenty-five  on  the  fick  lift;  and  upon 
enquiry  it  was  founds  that  they  were  fubfifted  on  falt-fifh,  falt-beef,. 
and  bifcuity  not  the  beft  in  quality  ;  and  were  allowed  frefli  pro* 
vifions  only  one  day  in  the  week.  The  fait  provifion  was  brought 
from  Kingfton,  and  came  at  a  much  dearer  rate  than  frefh  vifhials^ 
which  the  neighbourhood  aflbrds.  Of  bifcuit^  for  example,  not 
HQore  than  five  or  fix  could  be  bought  for  Icvcn  pence-halipenny  j 
and  that  quantity  cannot  be  thought  more  than  fuiiicient  for  a 
ibldier*s  daily  allowance  of  bread.  Whereas  fifty  plantains  were  to 
be  had  at  Bath  for  the  fame  money ;  which  are  more  than  one  fbl* 
dier  could  devour  in  a  week.  Frefli  pork  was  to  be  got  here  cheaper 
than  the  beft  falt-beef;  fowls  likewife,  and  freih  fi(h,  were  ex^ 
ceedingly  reafoiiable*  The  number  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  who 
had  reforted  here  for  the  benefit  of  the  water,  amounted  in  two 
years-to  only  fixty-fix,  by  many  fewer  than  ufed  to  meet  here  at  one 
time,  when  Bath  was  m  its  flourifhing  asra. 

Proceeding  from  Bath  to  the  Eaftward,  we  pafs  along  the  rich 
banks  of  Plantain  Garden  River,  through  a  fuccefTion  of  the  fineft 
fugar-plantations  in  the  ifland.  The  foil  in  fome  parts  is  a  black, 
vegetable  mould,  of  great  depth,  intermixed  with  ftiells ;  in  other 
parts  a  deep,  brick  mould;  and,  towards  the  river's  mouth,  the 
l^ud  on  each  fide  is  extremely  flat,  which  fubjedls  it  to  be  overflown, 
pretty  regularly  once  a  year  by  the  river..  Thefe  floods  generally 
lay  all  the  canes  proftrate,  and  cover  them  with  a  rich  fediment  of 
mud.  But  they  fpring  again  after  the  water  retires,  and  grow  afto- 
nifliingly  luxuriant,  requiring  no  other  iiKuiure  than  what  this 
river,  like. another  Nile,  fo  invariably  depofits.  Yet  the  fugar  pro- 
duced here  is  commonly  of  a  good  complexion,  though  faireft 
and  in  greateft  quantity,  if  the  ieafoa  continues  dry  during  the 
crop*. 

This 


1^ 


i6S  JAMAICA. 

This  is  the  tra£l  of  cane-land  which  fuffers  lefs  than  any  in  the 
•whole  ifland  by  a  long  drowth  ;  for  the  water  is  every  where  Co 
-near  the  furface,  as  to  lupport  a  due  vegetation,  when  the  cianes  in 
other  parifties  are  parched  and  deftroyed  for  want  of  rain.     The 
rich  mould  of  Vere  alone  may  difpute  the  preference  with  it  for 
depth  and  fertility  ;  but,  I  think,  the  land  on  Plahtain  Garden  River, 
43eing  happily  in  a  more  feafonable  fitiiation,  muft  be  efteemed  fu- 
perior ;  and,  in  ihort,  on  a  general  furvey  of  this  Eaftern  quarter  of 
the  ifland,  it  appears  rather  more  produSive,  and  of  better  ftaple, 
•than  the  Weftern  end.     In  regard  to  the  natural  productions,  it 
>contains  a  great  many  rare  plants  that  arc  peculiar  to  it,  with  fome 
-others  that  are  alfo  obfervable  in  thp  Weft  divifion  ;  and  the  reft 
are  fuch  as  are  common  to  ^11  parts  of  the  ifland.     Among  thofe 
of  the  firft  clafs  is  the  gum-tree,  or fapium  of  Dr.  Brown,  who, 
-by  fome  miftake,  has  defcribed  the  parrot  gum-tree  for  it,  which  is 
a  fpecics  of  manchineel,  and  bears  not  the  leaft  affinity  to  the  gum- 
-tree  in  its  parts  of  fruftificatipn.      It  is  probably  a  new  genus^  and 
Jiitherto  iindefcribed.  It  grows  to  a  very  confiderabie  fize,  and  yields 
^  large  quantity  of  a  light-green,  tranfparent,  thick  refin,  or  gum, 
■of  little  fmeil.     This  is  much  ufed  by  the  planters  of  the  diftrift 
for  burning  in  their  ^boiling  houfe-lamps.     They  once  were  found 
here  in  vaft  abundance ;  but,  from  the  continual  ravage  of  the  in- 
habitants, who  have  cut  down  vaft  numbers  every  year,  without 
<he  leaft  rcmorfe,  or  any  caution  to  plant  a  new  race ;  it  is  not  im- 
probable, that,  in  a  little  time,  the  old  ftock  will  become  extinct ; 
for  none  of  this  clafs  have  been  difcovered  in  any  other  part  of  the 
country.     The  wood  is  coarfe ;   but  it  fupplies  tolerable  ftaves  for 
fugar-caflcs :  a  gentleman  here  got  as  many  from  one  tree  as  made 
one  hundred  hogflieads,  or  upwards  of  three  thoufand  ftaves  ;  from 
whence  fome  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  magnitude  of  thefe  trees. 

The  air  of  the  hilly  part  of  this  pariih  is  extremely  healthy.  At 
Bath  it  is  cool  during  the  greater  part  of  the  year;  which  is  owing 
to  its  being  fliaded  by  the  neighbouring  high  lands,  and  watered 
with  frequent  (howers.  The  air  of  the  low  grounds  near  the  coaft, 
efpecially  where  they  are  fwampy,  or  not  drained,  is  by  no  means 
to'  be  reckoned  healthy.  The  Negroes  on  the  plantations  which 
border  on  Plantain  Garden  River  are  fubjedt  to  frequent  mortalities, 

efpecially 


BOOK    IL      CflAP.    Vin.  169 

«!pecially  if  their  huts  are  placed  on  the'levejs,  which  ate  damp, 
and  annoyed  by  conftant  exhalations.  The  planters  have  wifely 
fixed  their  own  habitations  in  general  upon  elevated  fpotsi  in  order 
to  be  fecure  from  floods^  which  have  fometimcs  been  fo  violent  on 
the  lower  grounds,  as  to  fweep  away  buildings,  cattle^  and 
Negroes. 


• 

4 

State  of  theParifli:                         .  ..I   ;  - 

t 

• 

> 

V 

Amiuftl  Produce 
«f5ugar._ 

Negroes. 

Cattle, 

Sugar-plantadons. 

I  HogOieads.,  |    Other  Settleiiiemy. 

1 734. 

6176 

5488 

ft 

' 
-* 

1740, 

6618 

s^s^ 

# 

•                           *                                  * 

J  745. 

7282  . 

ss(>^ 

■ 

1761, 

12300  . 

f 

1768, 

14624 

9007 

66 

* 

1  9270   1        34 

•  This  pari(h,  it  is  apparent,  has  increafed  very  largely  in  its  ftock 
of  Negroes  and  cattle ;  and  now  contains  near  one  hundred  fettle- 
ments.  From  the  goodnefs  of  the  foil,  the  number  of  rivers,  and 
plentiful  fupplies  of  rain,  it  has  the  promifing  appearance  of  be- 
coming one  of  the  ,moft  populous  and  opulent  in  the  whole  ifland. 


SECT.    VI. 

PORTLAND. 

THIS  prntti  is  bounded  on  the  Eaft  and  North  by  the  fea ; 
Weft,  by  St.  George,  and  part  of  St.  David;  and  on  the  South 
and  Soutb-Eaft,  by  St.  Thomas..  The  adjuftment  of  its  boundary, 
as.  the  whole  was  formerly  included  in  the*pari(h  of  St.  Thomas^ 
has  occafioned  many  difputes  between  the  two  parifhes,  both  of 
them  laying  claim  to  the  inhabitants  of  Manchineel,  in  the  South* 
Eaft  quarter ;  who,  though  adually  within  the  boundary  of  Port- 
land, have  generally  paid  their  taxes  in  the  pariih  of  St.  Thomas. 
But  the  law,  by  which  Portland  was  firft  formed  into  a  diftindt 
parish,  in  \h^  year  1.723,  dxprefsly  makes  White  River  the  South- 
Baft  boundsKry  ;  and*  this  linditacidn  having  been  ratified  by  clear 
recitals  in  feveral  fubfequent  laws,  th^e  appears.  110  authentic 
Vol.  IL  Z  ground 


w  ; .  J    A    M.A    I    G    A. 

ground  at  prefect  for  coutroyei ti«g  it^  Tbtf  parifli  co«)|)rIze$-  9 
vaft  traft  of  fine  land;  \f\xt  the  fett^cinepte  are  fcattercd  along  the 
coaft ;  and  the  interior  parts  are  as  yet  vn^occupied,  except  near  the 
Rio  Grande  on  the  North  fide^  where  the  raoft  diftantare  not  more 
:than  fix  miles  from  the  lea.  ,It  ig.  n>ouatainou^i;  aiKl  fixbjpGt-  to 
almofl  continual  rains,  which  are  naturally  caufed  by  tl:\e  height 
of  the  central  ridges,  and  fb«  prodigious  aa  extent  of  thick  woods; 
but  they  would  uiidoubtedly  decreafe  here,  as  they  have  done  in 
the  other  diftrifts,  if  ^ny  confiderable  part  of  this  wildernefs  was 
cleared,  and  room  given  for  a  free  paflage  to  the  wind  and  vapours. 
It  contains  eight  or  nine  rivers,  moft  o^  them  of  no  great  not^ ; 
the  principal  is  Rio  Grande  before- meptjDne'J,, .  which  ha§  its 
fource  about  fixteen  miles  from  the  fea,  and  becomes  very  confi- 
derable by  the  acceflion  of  feveral  .ftream^  which  fati  into  it.  The 
chief  (hipping-places  are.  Port  Antonio,,  formerly  called  St.  Fuanicis; 
Prieftman's  Bay;  and  Mar)chineel  Harbour.  Port  Antonio  lies*  on 
the  North-Eaft  part  of  the  coaft,  m  about  x5°  xi-  NoJtb  latitude^ 
It  comprehends  two  harbours,  the  Eaftern. and  Weftet;ni  divided 
from  each  other  by  a  narrow  peninfula,  of  abput  tjir^e.  miles  and 
a  half  in  length,  on  the  point  of  which  ftands  Fort  George.  The 
Ihip-channel  leading  into  the  Weftern  harbour  paflTes  between  this 
point,  and  Lynch's,  or  Navy  Iflaiid,'  ajid  is  about  one  mile  overi. 
The  entrance  into  the  Eaftern  lies  between  the  South-Eaft  point 
©f  Navy  Ifland  and  the  main  land^  ai>d  about^fthree  miles  from 
ihore  to  fhore.  There  is  alfo  a  fmall  channel  on  the  Weft  fide  of 
the  ifland ;  but  it  is  extremely  narrow,  and  6bftrii£ted'  witR  very 
extenfivefand  banks;  ib  that  the  deepcft  part  can  only  admit  hoaVs^ 
It  is  alfe  rendered  dangeroiis  by  a  reef  of  rocks,  ftretching  from^^ 
the  North -Weft  fide  of  the  iflknd^  between .  two  and  tHree  Icagbe*. 
towards  the  .naatn  laisui  This  ifland  is  ^hree  miles  and  a  ba)f  iH 
length,  by  about  one  and  a  baJf  in.  width,  and  lies  in  ^an  obliqtie 
direftion  South-Eaft  and  North-Weft.  Towards  the  fea  it  is  icK 
a:cceftible,  on  account  of  the  rocks  and  fttoals  which  guard  it  oa 
that  fide ;  but  ob  the  fide  next 'the  hktt)our  there  i^  very  <fcep  water 
clofe  in,  {a  that  men  of  war'coming  in  have  fwept  the  trees  with 
their  yards.  The  harbours  are  lan?d«tocked^'  and  capacious^  enough 
to  receive  a  very  large  fleet..  .        '  .i    '•    .   ♦ 

This 


BOOK     JL'  CHAJ?.    {VIIL  ,71 

This  part  cf  Jzmkica^t  lytx^ihiiiy  zh^^^^ 
CapeTiberon,  on  tl^  Weft  ctidof  jHiipaiifiola^i^anci  the  diificidty 
confidercd  which  our.  meh  of  war  have  foipetimcs  encountered  in 
turning  up  againft  the  ttade-wind,  and  cutreut?  from  Port  Boyal^  in 
order  to  wjeather  theEafliern  point  of  Janoutica:; .-together  with  tho 
commodious  (ituation*  of  Port  <A:ntonio,  which-  opera  di];e£ll.y..inta 
the  Windward  P&Sa^^i  gave  rife.. to>  the  fchemeof  .foflti£yh5g»:WjcJ 
adapting  it  as  apiace  of  rendezvous;  for  the  (qua^oniiti  time:  of 
war.  In  the  year  1728,  the  aflembly.paflbd  aft  a£t  appropriating 
twenty  acres  of  land  on  Lynch's  Ifland  for  ^h^  pqnveniency  of 
crc^ing  ftore-houfe^  and  wharfs  for  hialm^efty'is  n^val  ^mtsr  a|i4 
careeding  the  (hipB  of  war.  lo  the  year  ipjjt  this  w;QrIc  \*|as  iq 
great  forwardnefs  ;  and  rear^admUnl  Sttiart,  who  then  cprnn^nde4 
on  the  ftation,  finding  the  air  of  thb  iiland  Awbeakhy^  ordered  the 
wood  to  be  cut  down  and  burnt.  Unfortunately,  j^ftiead  of  Jiii-ing 
Negroes  to  perform  this  laborious  taifc,  it  .was  afligaed  to  detach- 
ments tnade  from  the  crews  of  the  Lbn;  Spence^  and  foHne  other 
ihips  of  war;  idf  whofe*  ittcapacity  for  At  Dr..  Liud  has.  giv^n  u$ 
the  following  melancholy  account :  .  .>  .,     . 

Manyof  thefe  men  were  ^ized  all  oifice  with  a  fever  and  deli- 
rium. This  phrenzy  attacked  a  man  fo  fuddenly^  and ,  tvith  fo 
inuch  fury,  that  with  his  h^tchetvif  not  prevented,  he  would  have 
cut  to  pieces  the  perforis  who  ftood  near  him..  \Orders  w^reiffijed, 
that,  as  fbon  as  the  men  were  thus  feized,  they  ihould  be  bled,  ^nd 
immediately  lent  on  board  their  refpeftive  fliips.  The  conf^quence 
was,  that  all  who  were  carried  on  board  quickly  recovered  ;  wliereas 
thofe  who  remained  on  (hore  either  died,  or  underwent  a  dangerous 
fit  of  ficknefs.  This  caUmity,  and  the  peace  which  not  Ipng  afte^; 
happened,  occafioned  thfe  prbjeft  to  be  dropped,  although  t fee  go4 
vcrnment  had' been  put  to  a  "great  expence  in  ereiSting  ^ftyeral  Aoto? 
houfes,  and  in  purchafing  the  ifland  in'  propriety*  '  Thcfe  buildixjgi 
having  fince  gone  to  decay,  and  the  inhabitants  in  the  neighbourhqoif' 
made  free  to  pull  down  and  ufe  fuch  of  the  materials  as  were  iei> 
viceable  tothem.  /The  reafons  for  refuraing  this  fchemeare.a^ 
prefent  extremefy'  ttrong;  fince  the  French  hdvc  laboured  fo^  foc^ 
cefsfully  in  fortifying  and  compleating  a  very  large  town  at  Cape 
Nicola  Mole ;  which  lying  only  fixteen  leagues  and  a  half  from  the 

Z  2  Eafternmoft 


tyi  J    A    MAI    C    As . 

Eaflemmoft  point  of  Cuba^  they  have  got  a  key,  which  as  efFec^ 
tuaily  locks  up^  the  navigation  of  the   Windwa]:d  Paiiage  to  tha 
Eaft,  as  the  Havannah^  in  the  hands  of  the  Spaniards,  fecures  it  ta 
the  Weft  by  the  Gulph  of  Florida;  the  confeq.uence  of  which  mufl 
neceilarily  be^  in  any  future  rupture  with  France  and  Spain^  that^ 
without  ^  vepy  ftroug  convoy  of  feveral  men  of  war,  not .  a  mer- 
chant-fhip  will  have  the  leaf):  chance  of  getting  home  i  and  I  think, 
it  is  evident  from  all  the  pains  and.  expence  which  the   French 
have  been  at  in  making  their  eftabiifhment  at  the  Mole^  that  they 
deiigned  it  as  an  eie<Shial  curb  upon  the  Jamaica  trade^  and  for  na 
other  purpofe :    becaufe  the  country   that  environs  it  is    cocky^ 
barren-,  and  nnfit  foiP  plantations  of  any  fort^    It  is  plain,    there^ 
fore,  that  they   had  not  agriculture  in  vievvj  and    it  is  mof^  pro- 
bable, that,  in  time  of  wari  they  wilHlways  take  care  to  keep  a 
number  of  men  of  war  and  frigates,  at  the  Mole,  or  cruizing  be-, 
tweeu  it  and  Cape  Maize^  to  intercept  our  h^mew^^drbound  tradef 
which  of  courfe  will  fall  an  eafy  pxty,  unJefs  we  have  always  fa 
krge  a  fleet  on  the  ftation,  as  to  be   able  to  block  i^p  theirs^  or  dif<^ 
fpute  fuperiority  of  force  with  it.     As  a.  check  therefore  upon  theit 
fortrefs,    it  would  leeni  abfoluitely  neceffary,    that  Port  Antonio, 
^ould  be  llreugthened.  with  fortifications^  and  the  former,  plan  re- 
vived of  accommodating  it  for  the.  reception^^  refitting,,  and    careen?- 
>ng,   of  his  majefty's.  (hips:  and,  in   order   to  guard  againft  that 
havock,   which  the  employment   of   felling  trees,,   and    clearing 
ground,  in  the  Weft-Indiesy  has  never  failed  making  among  £u.- 
ropeaiis,  efpeeially  if  unfeafoned  to  the  climate;  the  legiflature  of 
Jamaica  owghfi    in  regard,  to  the   importance  of  this  concern  ta 
l»heir  properties,  either  to  purchafe  fifty  Negroes,  or  levy  that  num^ 
ber  M  rotation  from:  di^erent  eftatcs,  to  be  employed,  under  propec 
white  overfeers,  ta  clear  away  all  the  wood  upon,  the  ifland,  and 
aflift  in  carrying  oiv  other  laborious  works- that  may  be  rec]uired.. 
The  raifing  them  by  levy  might  be  made  very  equitable^  if,  at  the 
fame  time,  their  relpedlive  owners  were  to  be  paid  a  certain  juft  rate 
^#r  day,  for  their  maintenance  and  hire»  out  of  the  public  funds; 
^nd  the  expence  ta  the  ifland  would  be  very  trifling*. 

■ 

The 


BO  QIC    U.      CBAP.     Vni; 


^37 

tht  hke,.  for  example,  of  fiftj  Negroes,  at  d/.  per  head 

per  ann.  • »  — —  ■       — — —      300    o  o 

Tbeic  fubfiftence,  at  yid,  tzcKper  day,  '\Syper  ann.  —      566  19  3 

866,19     J 

Jfire  of  two  fuperintendems,  or  ovcrfeers,  at  1 40/.  each,       280 
Cloathing  and  medicines,  at  30  j.  each^^r  ann.  (I  fup- 

pofe  the  tools  to  be  furni(hed  by  government),   —        y^     o  o 


Whole  of  one  yearns  expeuce   to  the  iiland  is,  fler- 

ling,  872^  i6j.  7\d.\   currency^      1221    19  3 

It  is  not  probable,  if  the(e  Negroes  were  to  be  duly  taken  care 
of  by  the  faperintendents  chofen  for  this  purpofe,  that  any  of  them 
would  die  within  the  twelvemonth,,  fuppofing  them  to.  be  healthy 
zxkdi  able  when  delivered ;  and  none  others  fhould  be  accepted  ;.  but^ 
for  greater  equity  to  the  individuals  to.  whom  they  belonged,  they 
might  be  fairly  valued  by  three  or  more  difinterefled  magiflrates 
before  their  going  on  fervice,  and  any  deficiencies  at  the  year's  end 
made  good  by  the  public  accordingly.  In  order  to.  form  a. body  of 
labourers,  to  be  kept  afterwards  conftantly  employed  in  building 
fortifications  or.  other  works,  feveral  draughts  might  every  year,  be 
made,  from  the  gaols,  of  fuch  flaves  as  axe  fold  out  for  pay- 
ment of  their  fees;  and,  in  many  cafes,  the  fentence  of  death,  or 
banilhment,  might  be  commuted  for  perpetual  labour  in  the  king's 
fervice ;  and  a  piece,  of  land  appropriate.d  near  the  port  for  their 
provifion-ground,.  that  their  fiibfiftence  might,  for.  the  future,  be 
attended  withnoexpence,.  either  to  the  ifland,  or  to  the,crown.  No 
time  can  be  fo  convenient  for  condudling  fuch  a  plan  as  the  prefent 
interval  of  peace;  and,  being  carried  on  with  vigpur,  we  ihoulcj 
hav.e  in  another  war  this  fure  afylum.for  the  fquadron,  from  whence 
it  might  fally.  forth  to,  diftreis  the  enemy,  defend  our  homewards 
bound  fleets,  and  give  protection  to  our  (hips  coming  from  Britain 
to  Jamaica^,  or  coafling  round  from  the.  North,  to  the  South  parts  of 
the  ifland.. 

When,  the  duke  of  Portland  was  governor,  a  town- was  projeded 
on  PattiCbn*^  Pointy  bordering  on   the  harbour,  which  was  to  be 

called. 


,74  J    A    M    A    I    G    A. 

called  Titchfield,  after  a  manor  belonging  to  his  grace  in  Hamp- 
Ihirc.  One  hundred  acres  were  aligned  by  adt  of  aflfembly  for  this 
.purpoft ;  to  which  were  added  three  hundred  and  fifty  acres  for  a 
common.  A  quarter-feffion  for  the  peace  was  to  be  held  here  four 
times  a  year ;  the  port  was  made  a  port  of  entry  and  clearance ; 
and  the  receiver-general,  fecretary,  and  colleftor,  were  ordered  to 
ieep  deputies  here,  who  were  allowed  a  falary  of  70/.  each  per 
annum.  This  town  was  laid  out»  but  not  built ;  for,  the  projeft  be- 
fore-mentioned not  being  carried  into  effe£t,  and  the  parifh  conti- 
nuing but  very  thinly  fettled,  there  was  not  a  fufficient  encourage- 
ment to  induce  perfons  to  build ;  nor  trade,  nor  manufadure  to  give 
a  town  fupport  5  ib  that,  at  prefent,  here  are  not  above  fifteen  or 
twenty  ftraggling  houfes  about  the  harbour.  The  making  this  one 
ftation  for  the  fquadron  would  be  the  furcft  means,  not  only  of  en- 
«)uraging  a  town  here,  but  of  multiplying  fettlements  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood, by  the  demand  there  would  be  for  hogs,  poultry,  plan-* 
tains,  and  other  proviltons ;  and,  in  regard  to  trade,  this  port  lies 
-conveniently  for  opening  fome  intercourfe  with  the  Eaft  end  of 
Cuba,  and  the  fmall  Spaiiifh  veffels  of  St.  Domingo,  who  might 
ileal  along  (hore  to  the  Ifle  of  Vache,  and  eaiily  make  this  port. 
Some  beneficial  traffic  might  likewife  be  occafionally  carried  on 
with  the  French  for  their  indigo,  in  return  for  our  Britifh  hard- 
wares, and  a  few  other  affortments.  I  am  not  without  hopes,  that 
the  legiflature  of  Jamaica  will,  in  time,  be  rouzed  into  a  ferious 
attention  to  the  fbrthcr  improvement  of  their  country,  by  a  few 
eafy  meafures,  which  require  only  judgement  in  fetting  them  on 
foot,  and  unabated  perfeverance  in  conducing  them  to  a  happy  ef* 
feft.  No  part  of  the  ifland  feems  to  claim  their  affiduity  more, 
than  this  extenfive  parifh  of  Portland;  which,  from  all  the  reports 
^Df  furveyors  who  have  traverfed  its  rccefles,  contains  immenfe 
tra£ls  of  very  rich  land,  finely  watered,  though  Hill  covered  with 
thick  woods.  The  mofl  popular  work  they  have  hitherto  done  in 
it,  is  the  road  which  pafTes  through  an  almofl  uninhabited  wild, 
from  Bath  to  Port  Antonio.  It  traverfes  a  traft  of  near  fixty^  thou- 
fand  acres,  which  has  not  a  fingle  fettlenvent.  The  former  road 
from  Titchfield  to  Bath  through  MaiKhinecl  was  at  leaft  thirty- 
ftxur  miles  in  length.     Upon  a  reprefentation  to  the  houfe  of  af- 

fembly. 


.  To  fixceTage  /J4 .  Fl.  fj. 


I- 


f 


^ferences 

*fis  ofl^^  Stvr^  houses 


TO^IO 
I    C    A 

.D.  1771. 


•';• 


•  ,        .  •    r     , 


BOOK    n.      CHAP.     VIII.  1^5 

fenibfy,  in  1769,  that  a  road  from  Titchfield  through  Naniijr 
Town,  and  over  Break-heart  Hill,  would  be  (horter  by  twenty- 
three  miles ;  that  the  lands  through  which  it  nuift  pafs  were  veryr 
fit  for  the  culture  of  provifions ;  and  that  it  might  not  only  be* 
come  the  mean$  of  fupplying  the  Bath  plentifully  with  all  mannei! 
of  provifions  and  poultry,  hut  of  fettlhig  a  large  traft  at  that  time 
ufeiefe,  and  of  fubfifting  nfiany  poor  families  in  Portland,  then  ia 
very  indigent  cirtumftances ;  three  hundrftd  pounds  wem  granted: 
towards  making  it.  No  fum  was  ever  voted  to  a  better  dcfign  j 
but  it  required  ftill  further  afliftance,  to  render  it  paflabis  for  loaded: 
mules,  or  carriages ;  and  therefore  has  not  yel  produced  all  thofe 
advantages  that  the  petitioners  expected  6K>m  it,  the  etpence  of 
the  undertaking  being  rated  at  1000/.  The  aflfembly  thereforCvhave. 
fince  added  300/.  more,  the  parilhioners  engaging  to  raife  the  re- 
maining 400/.  by  a  fubfcription..  lam  not  fond  of  pafling  ccn-«- 
fares ;  yet  I  muft  take  leave  to  fay,  that  even  in  the  fecurity  of 
Port  Anton io>  (6  uleflil  a  retreat  for  the  fhippiog  in  w»*-tixne^ 
tliere  has  appeared  a  very  Angular  inattention*  The  forty  which. 
was  built  here  to  command  the  chaiinels  of  entrance,  and;  which' 
is  extremely  well-defigned  for  that  intention,  is  a  baftion  of  twenty-^ 
two  embrazures,  incloled  to  the  Southward  from  ftank  to  flank  by 
barracks  to  receive  feventy  men,  and  an  apartment  for  the  com^ 
manding  officer.  '  It  was  once  metrnfed  with  about  twelve  guns^, 
tw^nty.four  pounders.  '  This  foftrefs,  at  which  a  company  of  ibl«- 
diers  is  generally  garrifoned,.  we  fhoukl  fuppofe  to  defervse  ftill  as. 
much  of  the  public  care  as  the  Rock  Fort  at  Kiogfton  Harbour  r. 
but  the  condition  of  defence  in  wliich  it  was  kft  during  the  late 
war  may  be  judged  of  from  the  following  Hate,,  as  given  i«  the* 
year  1768 ;  viz. 

The  guns  all  unfit  for  fervicej  and  without  carriages^ 

No  wadhooks,  fpunges,  ladles,  or  rammers- 

The  platforms  for  the  guns  entirely  decayed. 

No  flag;  the  boat  unfit  for  fervice;  the  roof  of  the  magazine 
very  leaky,  and  no  door;  the  ftrgcorfs  room  untenantable ;- the 
roof  of  the  comniahiding  officer's  houfe,  and' barracks,  wholly  out 
of  repair ;  the  foWierS'barracks  wiriiout  platforms  j  no  hofpital ;  the 
guard-houfe  tumbled  .down ;  and  no  place  of  confinement,  &c^  &c*. 

To) 


ij6  J    A    M    A    i    C    A. 

To  the  honour  of  the  afTembly,  however,  let  it  be  mentiotted^ 
that^  upon  feeing  this  miferable  catalogue  of  dilapidations,  they 
hnmediately  granted  ibme  provision  for  putting  it  in  a  better  flate ; 
and  I  (hould  not  have  quoted  the  r-eport,  but  for  the  fake  of  re* 
marking  the  expediency  there  feems  of  having  an  engineer,  or  in- 
ipedtor-generai  ^f  the  barracks  and  Ibrtiiications  all  round  the 
Hland ;  whole  province  it  fliould  be,  once  in  «very  year  at  leaft^  to 
mdx,  them  all,  examine  their  flate,  take  account  of  their  ammuni- 
tion, {loses,  and  habiliments,  and  report  them  to  the  governor,  who 
would  regularly  lay  the  account  before  the  aflembly. 

By  a  method  of  ibis  nature,  they  would  be  duly  acquainted  with 
the  condition  of  thofe  defences,  which  are  too  remote  to  admit  of 
xnfpeiSion  from  their  own  committee^  and  I  think  it  wUl  alio  be 
acknowledged,  that  their  ftores  would  be  better  taken  care  of,  and 
lefs  wafte  committed. 

The  road  from  Bath  pailes  by  Moore  Town,  inhabited  by  the 
Maroon  Negroes  4  who  firft  took  up  their  refidence  on  the  Weft 
iide  of  the  parifli,  bordering  on  St.  George,  at  a  place  called  Nanny 
Town ;  which  they  afterwards  deferted.  Their  prefent  town  is 
much  better  fituated  for  giving  fpeedy  protection  to  the  eilates  on 
each  fide  the  Rio  Grande.  The  South-eaft  division  of  the  parifli, 
adjacent  to  Mancbineel  Harbour,  is  well-fettled,  and  promiles  to 
become  very  populous.  The  harbour  is  capacious  and  fecure,  de- 
fended by  a  battery  of  ten  guns,  which  is  not  fb  flrong  a  fortifica* 
tion  as  it  feems  to  require,  efpecially  if  Port  Antonio  (hould  not 
become  a  ftation  for  men  of  war.  Between  theie  two  ports  is 
another  confiderable  (hipping-place,  at  Prieftman's  River.  The 
ivhole  number  of  lettlements  in  this  parifli  is  between  eighty  and 
ninety ;  very  few,  in  proportion  to  its  extent.  It  remains  for 
time  to  difcover  the  many  natural  produfkions  and  curiofities  which, 
there  is  reafon  to  believe,  ar-e  not  fparingly  diftributed  through  {o 
\aft  a  {pace  of  mountains  and  vallies,  as  yet  but  little  explored. 
As  yet  we  are  only  informed  of  a  hot  mineral  ipring,  which  rifes 
on  the  North  fide  of  the  fame  mountainous  ridge  that  gives  birth 
on  the  oppofite  fide  to  the  Bath  fpring.  It  is ,  reafonably  conjee^ 
tured  to  be  ooJ^  another  vein  proceeding  from  the  fame  refervoir ; 
^  there 


BOOK    IL      CHAP.    Vlir.  177 

there  being^j  ?s  it  js  faid,  no  perceptible  difference  in  their  Jheat,  t^ft^, 
and  me(}icii)ai  operation.  2 

State  of  the  Parlfli :  .   ' .    ' 

Annual  Produce. 
Negroes,         Cattle,         Sugar-works.  |    Hogfhcads.    |    Other  Settlements. 

1734,  640  125 

1745*    ^^35  ^37 

1761,    2354 

1768,    2813    1651     29      j   1330  j     sy 

This  parifli  is  certainly  much  improved.     The  legiflature  paffed 
fevcral  a£ls  tending  to  invite  fettlers  into  it ;  and  a  confiderable  part 
of  thofe  who  at  prefent  occupy  it,  or   their  anceftors,  came  hither 
under  their  fan£lion.     I  have  endeavoured  to  poitit  out  the  defefts 
in  thofe  afts;  conceiving,  that,  if  they  had  been   framed  upon  a 
more  ed^e£tual  plan,  the  parifli  might   by  this  time  have  acquired 
double   the  number.     It   is  fubje^  to  fbme  local  incouveniencies; 
which  lay  the  fettlers  under  difficulty  3  for  which  reafon,  the  en- 
couragements to  beginning   new  plantations   cannot  be  too  great; 
for  thefe  inconveniencies  will  grow  lefs,  in  proportion  as  it  becomes 
more  populous.    The  great  trad  of  mountain  covered  with   high 
woods  occaiions  almoft  inceflant  rainy  weather  at  a   fmall  diftance 
inland  from  the  coafl: ;  and  the  navigation  to  Kingfton  for  fupplies 
of  neceflaries,  or  diipofal  of  produce,    is  tedious  and  hazardous,* 
particularly  in  war-time.     Their  woods  require,  therefore,  to  be 
laid  open  ;  and  a  trading  town  is  wanted.     By  multiplying  fettle- 
ments  in  the  interior  diftri£t,  the  firfl  might  be  gradually  efFefted ; 
and  the  fecond  would  naturally  attend  the  multiplication  of  fettle- 
ments.     The  foil  of  the  mountains,  and  indeed  all  the  interior  part, 
is  extremely  wcll-fuited  to  indigo ;  and  this  manufafture  might  be 
revived    here,  and   carried   on    with  great  fuccefs  and  advantage. 
But  it  mufl  be  the  province  of  the  legiflature  to  pave  the  way   for 
it,  by  giving  fuch  aids  of  Negroe  labourers  as  will  leave  little  fur- 
ther to  be  done,  by  the  new  fettlers  invited  over,  than  to  exercife 
their  flcill  in  building  their  works,  cultivating  the  plant,  and  con- 
dueling    the  procefs  to   perfeftion.     The   obtaining   a  colony   of 
perfons,  who  are  well  acquainted  with  the  whole  art  of  managing 
the  indigo,  will,  I  imagine,  be  attended  with  no  great  difficulty,  if 
Vol.  II.  A  a  Aiitable 


178  JAMAICA. 

fiiitabk  encouragements  are  given.  It  is  certain^  tbat^  if  fuch  a 
manufadure  fhould  upon  trial  be  found  to  anfwer,  thcra  ift  vacant 
land  enough  in  this  parifli  to  furnilh  much  more  than  would  fa- 
tisfy  the  confumption  of  Great-Britain ;  and  the  richnefs  of  the 
foil  affords  juft  motives  for  expeding  that  indigo  might  be  produced 
here  of  the  fined  quality. 

I  have  omitted  to  mention,  that  this  parilh  is  without  a  church.^ 
The  incumbent's  ftipend  is  100 1,  per  annum;  but  he  does  not  refide. 
The  fervice  is  performed  in  fbme  planter's  houfe,  about  once  or 
twice  in  the  year.  It  may  appear  extraordinary,  that  the  legiflature 
(hould,  in  the  example  of  this  and  fomc  other  parifhes,  have  pro- 
vided a  ftipend  for  aminifter,  without  at  the  fame  time  providing 
a  houfe  of  prayer.  An  aft  pafled  here,  in  1681,  empowers  the 
juftices  and  veftry  of  every  pari(h,  at  their  annual  meeting  in  Ja- 
nuary, to  lay  a  reafonable  tax  on  the  inhabitants,  for  the  main* 
tenanceof  the  minifter  and  poor;  and  for  erecting  convenient 
churches,  and  repairing  fuch  as  are  already  made,  and  providing 
convenient  feats  in  them^  The  erefting  of  churches  is,  therefore,. 
only  made  a  fecondary  obligation,  and  as  fuch  di(penfed  with  by 
the  junior  pariflies,  under  the  plea  of  poverty,  which  will  probably 
avail  them,  till  a  more  ardent  zeal  in  the  cauie  of  religion,  than 
hitherto  has  been  manifefted,  (hall  infpire  the  houfe  of  reprefen-^ 
tatives,  and  lead  them  to  enquire  into  the  merits  of  this  pretence. 

SECT.    VII. 

St.  George,  in  the  Precinft  of  St.  Mary. 

THIS  parifli  is  bounded  on  the  Eaft  by  Portland ;  Weft,  by 
St.  Mary;  North,  by  the  fea;  and  South,  by  the  pariflies  of  St. 
Andrew  and  St.  David.  It  is  watered  by  about  fixteen  rivers  and 
principal  ftreams;  the  largeft  and  mo  ft  noted  are,  the  j4gua  j4lta^ 
or  Wag-water,  which  forms  the  Weftern  boundary ;  the  Buff  Bay ; 
Anotto,  Spanifti,  and  Swift.  The  former  of  thefe,  being  joined 
near  the  coaft  by  feveral  other  ftreams,  forms  a  canal,  navigable  by 
boats  from  Anotto  Bay  (into  which  it  difcharges),  about  two 
miles  inland ;  which  is  a  great  conveniency  to  thofe  fettlements 
that  border  upon  it.  The  bay  is  common  to  this  parifli  and  St. 
2  Mary, 


B  O  OK    IL      C  HAP.    VIII.  r;? 

Mary,  and  is  their  principal  ihipping^place :  it  is  a  good  road,  ex- 
cept  in  the  time  of  year  when  the  Norths  prevail,  to  whofe  vi- 
olence it  is  too  much  expofed.  The  face  of  the  parifli  is  for  the 
moft  part  very  hilly ;  and  the  Blue  Mountain  Ridge,  after  inter- 
fering Portland,  continues  its  lofty  battlements  from  Eaft  to  Weft 
through  St.  George^s,  engroffing  the  whole  of  its  Southern  diftridl. 
The  inconveniencies  of  much  wet,  and  a  diftant  market,  which 
have  retarded  the  population  of  Portland,  have  likewife  attended 
this  parifli,  and  perhaps  in  a  feverer  degree ;  fo  that  it  is  ftill  to  be 
confidered  in  its  infancy. 

The  lands  adjacent  to  the  coaft  are  not  fettled  for  more  than  four 
miles  from  the  fea,  and  in  fome  parts  not  more  than  one.    The 
diftridk  behind  comprizes  about  fixty-five  thoufand  acres  of  wilder- 
nefs,  whofe  foil  and  natural  productions  are  at  prefent  unknown : 
this  vaft  tn£i  has  only  one  road  cut  through  it,  which  pafles  from 
Kingfton  through  Liguanea,    and,  croffing   the  centre  near   the 
Negroe-town  called  New  Crawford,  terminates  at  the  coaft.     The 
land  hitherto  fettled  in  fugar-plantations  turns  to  better  account, 
and  is  lefs  laborious,  than  what  we  meet  with  in  Portland ;  but  as 
yet  no  trial  has  been  made  with  canes  above  the  diftance  of  two 
miles  from  the  fea.      The  mountainous  region  behind  contains^ 
probably,  a  very  great  variety  of  foil ;  which,  though  too  rich  at 
firft  to  produce  fugar,  would  yield  a  large  quantity  of  fine  rum,  or 
indigo :  this  latter  is  confidered  as  a  great  impoveriftier  of  land,  and 
therefore  very  fit  to  prepare  a  rich  foil  for  the  fugar- cane.     It  is 
pretty  evident,  on  contemplating  the  face  of  this  parifli,  that  it  is 
not  likely  to  make  much  further  progrefs  until  more  roads  fliall  be 
formed  through  fo   extenfive   a  wood-land ;  for,  although  many 
thoufand  acres  have  been  patented,  they  were,  for  the  greater  part, 
forfeited,  and  the  remainder  left  unfettled  by  the  proprietors  on 
this  very  account :  they  found  it  imprafticable  to  get  at  their  lands 
after  they  had  patented,  or  purchafod ;  and  of  courfe  were  unable 
to  make  any  ufe  of  them.     The  firft  ftep  towards  further  improve- 
ments here  will  therefore  naturally  commeiKe  with  opening  new 
roads   of  communication ;   which    may  allure  the    proprietors  of 
plats  on  each  fide  to  begin  fettlements.     It  cannot  be  expected,  that 
individuals  will  undertake  this  taflc,  or  incur  fo  much  expence,  on 

A  a  2  the 


f8o  JAMAICA. 

the  diftant  view  of  profits,  not  to  be  acquired  till  after  feveral  years 
of  diligent  application,  and  many  further  charges.     It  muft  be  ex- 
ecuted at  the  public  coft,  as  it  is  not  likely  to  be  ever  atchieved  by 
any  other  means.     Nor  would  the  expence  be  thrown  away;  fince 
every  fettlement,  once  eftablifticd.  makes  a  return  by  adding  £bme* 
what  to  the  fecurity  of  the  ifland,  to  its  trade,  opulence,  and  re- 
venues.    In  order  to  prove  which,  let  us  examine  the  advantages 
of  this  nature  which  the  parifh  evqiv  now  contributes.     Here  are 
about  lixty  fettlements  in  all,  whofe  quota  of  the  poll-tax  amounted 
to  about  391  /•  for  one  year ;  which,  at  an  equal  average,  comes  to 
6/.  JO  J",  each.     Eye  ry  new  fettlement  formed  here  may  therefore 
be  reafonabjy  concluded  to  give  the  revenue  an  annuity  of  d/.  ioj* 
iu  that  tax  alone.     If  we  aflign  this,  on  a  moderate  computation,, 
as  the  one-half  of  the  whole   taxes  levied,    confifting  of  various 
branches,  the  annuity  will  appear  i^L  per.annumy  without  taking 
into  account  the  confumption  of  tools,  food,  cloathing,  and  other 
articles  ;  which  to  the  meaneft  fettler  cannot  be  rated  at  lefs  than 
^ol:  per  annum.     The  projedling  of  new  fettlements  therefore,  and 
encouraging  them  till  effeftuated,  when  coufidered  in  this  view„ 
Ibems  a  mioft  profitable  adventure  for  the  leglflature  to  engage  in,, 
and   well  defer ves  their  moft  ferious  attention..    To  form   roads, 
which  may  beperfe<Slly  firm,  eafy,  and  commodious,  is  doubtlefs  a 
bufinefs  of  much  time,  labour,^  and  charge :  for  thefe  very  reafbns. 
(if  they  are  admitted  to  be  true),  the  lefs  expeftation  fhould  be  in- 
dulged, that  poor  families  will  be  able,  or,,  if  able,,  willing  to  de- 
vote their  induftry  to  road-making,  inftead  of  agriculture.     But,, 
when  the  public  takes  this  work  in  hand,  the  cafe  is  very  different* 
The  more  perfedl  it  eaufes  the  road  to  be  made,  the  better  affured 
it  becomes  of  alluring  inhabitants  to  fix  themfelves  on  each  fide 
of  it.     The  returns  for  thefe  expenditures  may  be  tardy  ;  but  they 
will  be  certain,  and   always   increafing ;  and   (what  is  not  to   be 
over-looked)  the  money,  thus  laid  out  for  fuch  laudable  purpofes,, 
will  remain  to  circulate   in  the  ifland,    and  give  employment  to 
many  of  its  inhabitants,  without  impoverifhing  the  public. 

There  is  nothing  very  remarkable  in  this  parifh  (at  leaft  that  has 
fallen  within  my  knowledge),  except  a  fait  lake,  called  Alligator 
Pond,  extending  froqa  Fig  Tree  to  Buff  River  Bay,  Jand  feparated 

from 


BaOK    IL      CHAP.      VIIL  iS% 

from  the  fea  by  a  narrow  flip  of  fandy  land.  It  is  near  five  miles 
in  length,  and  about  half  a  mile  wide  in  the  broadeft  reach.  There 
is  no  tradition  in  what  manner  it  was  formed,  whether  by  an 
earthquake,  or  an  inundation  of  the  fea;  probably  both  concurred. 
The  air  of  this,  as  of  all  the  Northfide  pariflies,  is  in  general 
healthy ;  and  it  may  be  remarked  here,  as  at  the  Weft  end,  that 

.  the  hills  decline  gradually  towards  the  fea,  and  fwell  as  they  recede 
from  it  towards  the  mid  region  of  the  ifland.  The  moft  unwhole- 
ibme  ft  ate  of  the  atmofphere  in  thefe  parts  occurs  during  the  May 
rains ;  when  the  wind,  fetting  from  the  Southern  points,  has  to 

,  pafe  over  an  immenfc  tra£l  of  woodland,  before  it  reaches  the  fet- 
tlements  on  the  North  fide ;  but  it  rarely  produces  any  other  fe» 
vers  than  intermittents,  which  here  are  not  much  regarded,  as  they 
are  not  often  attended  with  any  dangerous  confequences. 

This  parifh  is  not  yet  provided  with  a  church.  The  incum- 
bent's ftipend  is  loo L per  annum-,  and  the  livings  like  that  of  Port* 
land,  a  mere  finecure. 

Having  no  materials  for  a  more  particular  account  of  St..  George,. 
1  (hall  conclude  with. 

The  ftate  of  it : 

Annual  Produce. 
Sugar-^^rics.        |-  Hogfheads.  |    Other  Settlements. 


Negroes. 

Ckttle. 

»734r 

1085 

1485 

1740, 

969 

:o24 

^7^5* 

1 163 

113^6 

1761, 

"47 

1768, 

2765 

342r 

jz  I     1200    \  48' 

Notwithftanding  the  ravages  committed  in  it  by  the  Marowi  Ne* 
groes  before  their  redu6lion,  it  is  apparent  this  parilh  has  made 
confiderable  progrefs  in  the  laft  twenty  years  ^  but,  as  a  fugar-pariifh, 
is  as  yet  of  very  fmall  importance.  The  means  by  which  it  may 
be  improved  I  have  already  touched  upon,  as  the  beft  that  offer  to 
my  judgement ;  and  in  thia  light  only  I  fubmit  them  to  the  dif* 
cufiion  of  abler  politicians. 

To  recapitulate  the  preceding  detail  of  this  county :  it  has  for 
its  metropolis,  Kingfton,  where  the  affiles  are  held  in  January^ 
April,  July,  and  Odlober* 

S(ate 


iSz  JAMAICA. 

State  in  1768. 

Annual  Produee. 
Negroes.  Cattle.  Sugar-workg.  HogOieads.  Other  Setflementi , 

39,542        21,465  146  J5,OIO  314 

Redoriesaad  Stipends. 

I  ^.  a. 

•Kingfton,  — —  — »»  250  o  o 

-St.  Andrew,  —  — —  200  o  o 

Port  Royal,  —  ■  250  o  o 

St.  David,  ■  — —  100  o  o 

St,  Thomas  in  the  Eaf):,  250  o  o 

Portland,    ——  ■    ■  100  o  o 

5t.  George,    —  ■"■  ■     ■■  iod  o  o 


1250  o  o 


Churches,  — •  5 
dhapels,     —  o 

Synagogue,  •  i 


CHAR       IX. 

CORNWALL 

CONTAINS  about  1,522,149  acres,  and  has  five  parifhes,  and 
nine  tov^ns  and  hamlets,  viz. 

Pariihes.  Towns.  Hamlets. 

{Lacovia,  ^ 

Accompong,  Negroe-  I         Black  Riven 
Town,  ■J 

Queen's  Town,  altas^ 
Beckford      Town, 
alias  the  Savannah. 


-••  ^        •     ,    {Savannah  la  Mar,  the    f 

Weumorelano,  i     ^^„.,^.  ^^.  I 

'  1     countj^town^  —    j 

Hanover,  Lucea. 

St.  James,  /  Montego, 

I  Furry 's,  Negroe  Town. 
Trelawny,  Trelawny,  Negroe  Town,    Marthabrae. 

SECT. 


B0O:K    IL      CHAR      VIIL-  iS^ 

S  E  C  T.     h 
St.      ELIZABETH. 

THIS  parifh  is  bounded  on  the  Eaft  by  the  pariflies  of  Claren*- 
don  and  Vere ;  on  the  Weft^  by  Wcftmoreland ;  on  the  North, 
by  St.  James  and  Trekwny ;  and  on  the  South  by  the  fea.  It  is 
watered  hy  the  Black,  Y  S,  Hector's  and  Broad  Rivers,  and  feve- 
ral  fmall  rivulets.  Of  thefe  the  two  former  are  the  moft  capital. 
The  Y  S  rifes,  firft,  in  the  South-Weft  angle  of  St.  James's  parifli^ 
in  a  very  fraallftream;  andi  after  a  courfe  of  about  two  mites,, 
hides  itfelf  under^ground,  and  emergen  at  about  half  a  mile's  di«> 
fiance  in  a  large  body  of  water,  at  about  tliirteen  miles  from  the 
Goaft;  then,  after  a  moderately  winding  courfe  of  thirteen  miles 
and  a  half,  falls  into  the  Black  River.  The  Broad  River  rifes  in  the 
Eaftern- quarter  of  the  parifli,  about  iix^  miles  from  the  fea;  firft' 
emerging  in  a  morafs,  called  Cafhue,  through  which  it-  makes 
its  way  for  about  the  fame  number  of  miles,  till  it  unites  with  the 
Black  River.  The  latter  firft  emerges  in  the.  North  divifion,  at  the  di- 
ftaiice  of  fixteen  miles  from  the  nearcft  part  of  the  coaft,  and  me- 
anders about  thirty-four  miles  before  it  reaches  the  fea,  having  its 
ftream  very  much  enlarged  by  the  various  tributes  it  receives  du* 
ring  its  pafl'age  ;  fo  that,  in  moft  parts,  it  is  from  one  hundred  and 
fifty  to  two.  hundred  feet  wide..  This  is  the  nobleft  river  in  Ja- 
maica#  and  is-  navigable  by  boats  and  barges  for  many  miles. 
About  mid- way,  and  at  the  Forks,  where  it  meets  with  the  other 
two  rivers  I  have  mentioned,  it  fweeps  through  a  large  trad  of 
morafs.  The  road,  paffing  over  the  May- day  Hills  to » the  Weft 
end,  croffes  this  and  Y  S  over,  two  handfome  bridges* 

This  great  Weftern  road,  which  leads  from  Spanifti  Town,  tra- 
verfes  St.  Jago  Savannah,  and  the  bridge  of  Milk  River,  in  Cla- 
rendon ;  not  far  beyond  which  is  the  eftate  which  belonged  to  the 
late  lord  Ol — ph— t.  Soon  after  leaving  this,  the  afcent  begins 
over  May-day  Hills,  continuing  rocky  for  about  half  a  mile,  till  it 
narrows  into  a  gloomy  path  between  two  hills,  over-hung  with  the 
interwoven  boughs  of  trees  on  each  fide,  which  form  an  agreeable 
(hade.     At  the  end  of  two  or  three   miles  further  on  is  a  fmall 

plantation 


i84  JAMAICA.^ 

plantation  and  pimento-grove;  and,  beyond  this,  the  way  opens 
fuddenly  upon  a  pretty  riling  lawn,  on  the  higheft  part  of  which 
ftands  a  little  villa,  belonging  lately  to  Mr.  W — ftn — y,  who  is  faid 
to  be  a  natural  fon  of  the  late  duke  of  L — ds.  This  villa  over- 
looks a  diminutive  vale,  through  which  the  high  road  paffes,  and 
extends  its  narrow  profped  to  another  delightful,  rifing  fpot,  of  a 
circular  form,  and  fringed  with  ftately  trees.  A  number  of  kids, 
lambs,  and  (heep,  are  paftured  in  the  glade,  or  roam  on  the  fides  of 
the  adjacent  hills,  which  are  fenced  in  with  a  wall  of  craggy  moun- 
tains, richly  cloathed  with  wood.  In  rural  charms  few  places  ex- 
ceed this  little  Ipot-  Th«  road  acrofs  this  affemblage  of  high 
lands  is  extremely  curious  in  every  part,  and  worthy  the  traveler's 
attention.  There  are  none  in  England,  nor  I  believe  in  Europe, 
refembling  it.  It  divides  the  May-day  Ridges,  as  it  were,  through 
the  middle ;  the  breadth  of  which,  from  Eaft  to  Weft,  is  upwards 
of  fourteen  miles;  it  is  about  fifty  feet  in  width,  and  confined  on 
each  fide  by  a  majeftic  wood,  that  is  almoft  impervious  to  the  fun. 
The  lofty  trees,  fo  clofe  arranged,  form  a  living  wall ;  and,  inter- 
mingling their  leafy  branches,  afford  a  cooling  Ihade  during  the 
greater  part  of  every  day  throughout  the  year.  The  Tavern  of 
Knock-patriclc  (belonging  alfo  to  Mr.  W — ftn — ^y),  the  next  fet- 
tlement  we  come  to,  ftands  very  commodioufly,  and  enjoys  a 
moft  excellent  climate.  The  Englifti  beans,  peafe,  and  other  cu- 
linary vegetables  of  Europe,  grow  here,  in  moft  feafons  of  the 
year,  to  the  utmoft  perfeftion.  A  gentleman  who  fupped  here 
jcould  not  help  remarking,  that  the  victuals  were  literally  brought 
fmoaking-hot  to  table;  a  phaenomenon  fcldom  obferved  in  the 
low  lands,  where  the  air  is  fo  much  more  rarefied.  A  fpecies  of 
the  tarantula  fpider  is  faid  to  be  often  found  in  this  part  of  the 
country.  The  woods  abound  with  paroquets,  and  pigeons  of  va- 
rious forts.  T'he  laghetto,  and  other  ufeful  trees,  fuch  as  maho- 
gany, cedar,  pigeon-wood,  &c.  This  tavern  ftands  in  the  midft 
of  thefe  woods,  and  as  yet  has  but  a  very  fmall  traft  of  cleared 
ground  about  it.  Every  appearance  of  the  road  to  the  Weftward  of 
it  is  fimilar  to  what  ib  obferved  on  the  approach  to  it  from  the  Eaft- 
ward,  till  the  hills  begin  to  decline,  and  the  parifli  of  St.  Elizabeth 
breaks  upon  the  view.     From  the  different  parts  of  this  declivity, 

the 


i^OOKl  Ii:     I<5HAPi.   IX.  i>5 

the  pro{p€^^afe  feely  tarkgated,  anrf,  ^from  fomcffetiofls,  iirc 
eistended  not  oiify^ftr  the  champaign-cbuhtry  of  this  plarilh,  but 
into  great  part  Of  Weftmoreland  manjr  milfes :'  b\it  one  of  the  moft 
pleafifig  Irenes  is,  the  fpatciotis  tra£t  of  open  land,  called  Labour- 
ih^y^n  Savannah,  which  appears  partly  of  a  vivid  green,  and  partly 
of  aroflet  colour*  One  fide  of  it  is  girt  about  with  romantic  hills 
and  ifi^oods's  the  other,- tdt<^ards  the*  South,  is  waflied  by  the  fea; 
Chtf  middle  fwee^^  ii*  graced  with  fcattered  clumps  of"  trees*  and 
under-wood;  which  obje^s  all  together  combine  in  exhibiting  a 
very  pi£liird^ue  and  beautiful  appearance. 

*«  Ffbm  this  the  profpfcfft  varies.     Plains  immenle 
**  Lie  ftretch'd  below ;  interminable  meads, 
"  And  vaft  fairannahs;  where  the  wand'ring  eye, 
^  UnfixM,  is  in  a  v6f dant  oceaff  loft, 
*«  Another  Fldra  here,  ^of  bolder  hues, 
**  Afad  richer  fweets,  beyond  our  garden*s  pride, 
•«  Plays  o*er  the  fieldsi  and  ffiowVs  with  fudd6n  hand 
*«  ExubVant  fpring ;  for  (ifft*  ther  valleys  (hift 
*«  Their"  green  embroiderM  robe  t<r  fiery  brown,  ;   ' 

•*  And  fwift  to  grfeeh  agkih  j  as  fborchirig  funs, 
**  Or  {beaming  dews*  and  tbrreht-rains  pfevail/* 
One  Would  almoft  iticline  to  think,    that  Thomplbn,   and  his 
Fegafus,  had  'made  the'  tbuir  of  this;  region ;  fo  appoficely  has  he 
deferftedit.  ,   '    :.  ; 

* 

South  of  Eflex  VaHey  Mountains,  are  diftinguilhcd  the  high 
landsf,  and  fand  hills"  near  Pedro  Bluff^  '  Theft,  it  is  true,  are 
fome  additijins  to  the  prcffpciSfc,  but  Upon  reflexion  difpleafe  the 
dye,  as  they  are  in  general  ^  fo  poor  and  batren,  as  to  difdain  all 
kinds  of  ctiltivation,  and. only  yield  m  Wet  feafdns  a*  fcarity  paftu- 
rage  for  fhdep  and  the  ^oungfer  '  cattle.  About  the  -foot  of  May- 
day Hills,  the  brcfad-niit  trees  grow  luxuriantly,  and  afford  to  the 
bordering  fehlements  gi'edt  abuiidaiice  of  nounfhihg  fodder  for 
their  ftock/ 

The  principal  capes,  or  head-lands,  pn  thecoaft  are  Pedro  BlufT, 
ahdLtfaiia'Pointj  the  former  of  which  gives  (helter  to  an  anchor- 
ing^|>lac€  for  froall  vefielein  Pedro  Bay,  lyittg  to  the  Weft  ward  of 
it.     Between  this  and  Luana  Point  is  Black  River  Mouth,  defended 

Vol.  II.  Bb  by 


i86  J:  A;   !^    A;  1    C    A. 

by  feverai  baoks  of  i^nd ;  wi^hio  tlji'eQ^  is  a  fine  foa4  for  ihtps  of 
lai^e  burthea;  a^d  near  this  is  therefore  eftabliihed  the  chief  bftr^ 
quadier  for  all  the  plantations  and  fettlements.  in  the  parifli  [d]^ 
The  Eaftern  fide  retains  its  antient  name  of  Pall^ta,  or  Parrat^ 
Bay.  The  Spaniards  had  a  fmall  village  here,  which  was  deflxoyed 
by  a  detachment  of  the  arnxy  under  colonel  D*Oyley,  This  part 
is  fwampy,  and  principally  inhabited  by  Mulattoes^  -QuatefOns^ 
and  other  Cads;  apoor,  but^eaceablef  and  i^ndiiftrious  race^  wjtfti 
have  long  been  fettled  here^  and  live  by  fifliing.  and  breeding 
poultry.  If  it  was  not  fpr  the  flioals  at  the  ^  pnouth  of  the  river^ 
there  is  depth  and  room  fufficient  in  it  to  anchqc,  and  keep  afloat, 
a  very  great  fleet  of  capital  (hips.  But,  though  it  is  not  navigable 
by  vefi'eis  of  burthen,  it  is,  as  well  as  its  branches^  of  very  eminent 
fervice  to  the  inhabitants  of  tlie  adjacent  country,  by  enabling 
them,  at  fmall  expence  and  troublf^,  to  bring  their fugars,  rum, 
and  other  kinds  of  produce,^  bj|r  water-carriage,  down  into  the 
bay.  He&or's,,  or  One-eye  Rlvert  which  rifcf  near  Wallingford* 
plantation,  in  the  North- Weft  diftrift, . after  a, zig-zag  cousie  of 
about  twelve  miles,  difcharces.  into  Black  River.  The  Eaftern 
branch  of  it  enters  into  '  a.  .very,  high  ridge  of  mountainqus  land, 
extremely  well-wooded^. and  .filled  with  mahogany  and  other  va* 
luable  timber,,  and  difembogues ,  again  at.  three  mtles  diftance. 
The  arch-way  under  which  it  pafles^  is  of  a  rude,  Gothic  appear- 
ance, about  twenty  feet  in  height  but  rifing  and  falling  alter-, 
nately  within;  wbere^  it  js  fupported  with  prllarS|  the, nuflel^of 
which  are  of.  a  veryifinV,  White,  free-ftohe;.  and  in  fome  parts  ofi 
this  cavern  are  lirgp Jlr;ata  of  raarblq*  The  water  deepening  as  wa 
advance  forwards  under  the  myountaio,  it  is.  not  an  eafy  matter  ta 
explore.., tj)i^  Remarkable  adit  for  any  very  confiderahle  extent^ 
though,  for  a  good  diftance  from  the  mouth,  it  does  not  reach  much, 
above  ^tiie- knees.  Howeyer,  it  may  be  xlafled  among  the  more 
j^eautiful'naturaVcuriofities  in  theifland,^  and  merits  ar.  further  in- 
veftigatiou.  'This,,  with  the  TS(lo  called  from  the  Galic  word- 
Y  S,  which  fignifies  croqked,  or  winding^  and  .the  other  ftreiuns. 
i^hich  empty  themfelves  into  the  piack  Riyer,:  cpiitfibute  chiefly 


y  ]  Nm  the.  /Doatb  4%  i^fieB^cavght  the  iD^^ttt^;  \^^cb[lu$  gived  xmt^  ta '  fooR  adgaceat- 


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B  O^)  ft   ll.  A  cm  A  Pi  IX.  i8; 

to  its  impbrtaiice.*  Ttiefoad  b»"''fhdrl)blp»  is- "guarded  not  dnly  W 
the -fhoals j  but  by  tWb  batteries ;  the  firft;  d^  publick  one,  of  five- 
gtins,  fix  to  nine-pouf>4ersj  built  ona  little  eminencfe  ne4r  th6  fca;* 
the  other,  a  private   property^'bdotlgiBg  t^  M^^  -  Ex. 

clufive  df  "thrfe' Fortrefles,  the  variatiou  1)f(lhe  fsiiiia   render S  the 
entrance -dpfficuit,    and  dangerous  t&'tfeol<?  who  are  liot  welt' ac- 
quainted ^Vith  it;     The  barracks  ftand  a©  afedut  aquarter  of  a  mile 
from  the  bay  j  are  capable  oif  receiving  thitty  men,  and  generally  gar- 
rifoned  with  a  party  df  regulars.     The  chufchlS  about  the  fame 
diftance  from  the  village  of  Black*:  |Uv6r,^*a  '^a^fotoe  edifice  of 
brick,   latel^;^  reibuik*  '  The  •  pa*foiftgb4lo«re  tftobd  on  Middle- 
quarter- MouAtkiris,  in  a  dry ^' elevated^  and  vlirjt.pleafant  fituation, 
in  the  centre  of  the  glebe ;  but,  bdt  longfince,  was  unfortunately- 
burnt  to  the  gibuiid  by  an  accident.    The*reftor's  ftipend  is  200/. 
per  annum ;  but  he  has  I'tkewife  a  confiderable  income  from  the   la-^ 
hour  of  about  twenty  Negroes,  which,  in  •  coAfeqiietice  of  an  a£t  of 
aflfe'mhly,  pafTed  in  the  year  ^755,  fQrdi^>6fing<Jf  f^ndry  parcels  of* 
landbelonging^to  the  parifli,  w*re'purchafed  witll'-the  Value  of  the 
fales  for  the  ufe  of  the  rectory ;  aridj  by  another  ^a<n:  paflbd  in  1764/ 
all  the  parcels  of  land  then  undifpofed  of  were  dircfted  to  be  fold, ' 
and  the  nett-money  applied  to  the  buying  a  tra£t  of  plrovifion-ground 
contiguous  to  the  old  glebe,  and  to  be  annexed  to  it  in  perpetuity:* 
fo  that  the  whole'  of  the  glebe  confifti'  of, » at  leaft,  two  hundred ' 
acres  of  fine  pafture  and*  provifion-land .;  an3  the  value  df  the  living  - 
is  computed  to  be  between  fix  andtfcveh  1f<iridred' pounds-  a-  year.^ 
By  the  road-fide,  not  far  from  the  parfonage,  is  a  very  curious  ob*^ 
je^,  viz.  a  large  (presiding  fig-tree,  whofe  boughs  overihadow  the 
road. .  It  is  about  thirty  feet  in  height,  and  out  of  its  fummit  ap- 
pears'to  grow  an  elegantthat*ch-tree,*df  about  ten  or  twelve  inches  ^ 
diameter',  which  has  a  branched  Co|)  drftitift  from  the  other^  and ' 
rifing  twelve  or.  fi'fteen  feet  abbve jta>  « Tbtf '\i^ild  fig-tree  i6,  in  its 
infunt  ftate,  only  a  poor,  weakly,  climbing  plant,  like  the  teodril 
of  d  vine,  which  rears  itfelf  from  the'  gtxnmd  by  the  friendly  help* 
of  fi3me  neighbouring  tree,  and  ifaoots  out' feverai  delicate  radicles,, 
which- enhvine  about  the  fuppohGr,r; and  gradually  attend  them^^ 
felviea  downwards  as  the  ildm  incrieaibs;.:  This  at  length  attmh?  ^ 
the  fummit, 'mukiplyingilts  J)rahi:^es^  add  la^icies,  .whidi  in  pro4J 

B  b  2  cefs 


i88  1   4l  R  A   I   IS  A    . 

cefsof  time  tcash  the.evth^  i^ay:^  jJtieylqqp  ta^ccroot^  and  be* 
coo&e  fo  many  new  (tems  to  feod  9q4  fpft^iip  the  parent  plant. 
This  now  begiits  to  enbn^e  in  4imeofiQn9^  mdj  expanding  jit^  bark, 
£>rms  Jby  degrees  a  trtifi^,  or  p^fe,  arowid  its  fo^ct  tiee^  which, 
if  not  ^coGopofed  of  vtfry.  firm  Q^»(.eri^s,  i?  liahb  to  have  its  vcge- 
tatfeoo  entirely  checked  by  the  par^ic;al  >embrace.  A  fpeedy  decline 
is'the  confequenoe.  At  laft  it  dies ;  and  th^en  fcrvcs  only  to  noufifli 
with  its  duft  the  luxuriance  of  the  reptile,  that  has  fupplanted  it. 
The  reafon  why  this  thatch-tsee  hae  efcaped  (he  like  fate  may  be, 
that  it  was  prdhably  at^  fuU-^grpwth  wh«^n  it  was  firft  invaded; 
and  the  dei^ty  and  hardnefs  of  it?  h%JiJK^  wl>ich  render  it  al^fl: 
impenetrable  by  the  keeled:  ihilrumeqt,  have  mad^  it  capable  of 
reiifting  the  utmofl:  impreffion  and  e^ortsof  its  treacherous  gueft^ 

The  town  of  Lacoviat  which  ftands  abpy t  &ven  -miles  inland 
from  the  bay,  between  the  Y  S  arid  Bjack  rivers,  has  its  name  per-i 
haps  from  a,  corruption  of  the  Spanifli  words  la-agu^nuia^  the  wa- 
|e<:y  l;vray,  or  i(^o^a^  the  way. by  the  lake;  for  this  part  of  the 
^xxfiXxj^  being  veiy  low  and  flat,  is  fpmetimes  overflowed  with 
T^atier^  from  the  large  naorafs^^  which  fv^rrovnds  it;  but,  as  the 
ipads  arc  now  raifed  confiderablyy  it  is  feldom,  if  ever,  impafTab^Ie. 
This  town  contains  twp  good  taverns,  for  the  accommodation  of 
travellers,  ai^  abo^t  twelve  or  fourteen  houfes,  moftly  inhabited 
b(y  Jew^*  Here  is  alfo  a  CQurtrhou(e,  for  more  convp^^iej^tly  holding 
the  quarterly  feffipn  of  the  jscace,  petty-courts  of  common-pleas,, 
eledion^,,  and  vcftry-^neeti^gs,  k  b^ing  lijtuatcd  ueaxly  in  the 
middle  of  tbe  parifh* 

The  face  of.  the  pariih  js  v;aa:io,u8.  The  Eaftern  divifion  i$  walled 
in  by  focc?^ve  ridges  cff  high  jsouwain?,  ^diftingiiiCb^d  by.the 
names  of  Carpenter ^s,  Don-Figwrero-s,  and  May-day-  Te wards. 
iheNortht  ii  is  boyiujed  hjf  «hDli^  of  SdomftdV  Valley,  and  th«r 
Blue  JVl9MHj9in  Ch^i>^  wWeh  d^«iate  k  from.  St.  James  «idTr€* 
lawtiy^  Accompong  fu^d  iCkAiAef^  Towii^,  inhabited  ,by  Manoo 
Blacks,  Tie  aa^ongthefeiaMmtemsi  io  thj&iNoixh^wejft  of  the 
pariflit  .  Befides .  thefe^  are  ibaaiter  duans^  which  run  in  different 
points  r,  a»  Eiies  Valley  Range,.  Sail  landiiWeft,  mar  the  coad; 
Top  Jlill,  lying  parallel;  and  the  high  land  of  Bedro fihiff,  t&^ 
tendingfrom  the  Cape^  Eaftwacd^  along  the  ihore*    In  .the  centr^^ 

5     '  of 


BOOK    n.      CHAP.    IX.  189 

of  the  pjSivUh  are  Santa  CruZt  ^^  Burnt  Savannah  Mountains^ 
lyiag  North-.weft  and  South-«aft.  A  little  further  back,  are  thofe 
of  Nidiau  and  Lacovia.  To  the  South-weft  of  thefe,  are  Middle- 
quarter  Mountains,  running  N.  N.  £.  and  S.  S«  W.  and  the 
Weftern  boundary  is  crofTed  by  New  Savannah  and  Luana  Moun* 
tains,  tending  N.  W.  by  W.  and  S.  E.  by  £•  Such  a  multitude  of 
emiDences  not  only  ferve  to  attract  frequent  rains,  but  contain  re- 
fervoirs  for  affording  the  conftant  fupply  of  water  neceilary  to  feed 
the  innumerable  fpriugs,  rivulets,  and  thofe  larger  coUedions^ 
which  are  perpetually  flowing  throu^  every  part  of  the  lower 
groundSf  and  {pending  themielves  in  the  ocean.  The  lands  be- 
tween, and  at  the  feet,  of  thefe  different  mounds,  admit  of  a  great 
variety  of  foils.  In  the  Eaffern  diffrid  they  confift  of  favannah^ 
fi>r  the  moft  part  dry  and  infertile*  The  moft  noted  are  Pedro 
Plains,  Bully  Labour- in  •vain  (a  name  perfectly  defcriptive  of  its 
nature),  Naffau,  and  Burnt  Savannahs.  In  thefe  parts  there  are 
but  few  fugar-plantations,  tliough  a  great  number  of  very  fine 
penns  for  breeding  horned  cattle»  horfes,  mules,  fbeep,  and  goats^ 
as  well  as  poultry  of  all  kinds.  The  fbtt  of  Middle-quarter  Moan<- 
taim,  in  the  South* weft,  is  flony,  though  not  akc^ether  fb  un- 
produAive ;  but  the  plain  of  Luana  is  a  ccmtinued  fand,  awl  co- 
vered with  palmeto-trees,.  which,  though  large  and^  flouri&ing,  are 
2^  fur^  ilidication  of  its  ppverty^  The  rich  yeins  of  mpuld  adapted 
to  tl>e  fugarrcane  are  bordering  upon  t^e  Y  3  and  Black  rivers ;  .but 
a  vaft  fcope,  of  not  lefs  than  twenty  fhpufand  jicr^s  in  the  whole^ 
lies  flattered  in  waffe  n;u)rafs,  whkh,  could  it  be  drained^  might 
form  many  capital  plantations.  No.  attempt  of  thiafort  has.  yet 
bec(n  made,  at  Iqafl  that  I  have  heard  of;  but  it  promifes  to  yield 
a  very  great  return  to  any  of  the  proprietoxs,  who  flrait  have  ipirit^ 
ability,  and  patience,  fufficient  for  profecuting  fuch  an  experiment* 
It  lies  in  three  principal  divifions,  each  of  which  is  pervaded  by 
a  river.  The  remoteft  part  h  diilant  only  ten  miles  from  the  fea^ 
and  might  have  its  produds  fent  by  water-carriage  the  whole  way* 
The  other  two  approach  to  the  very  mouth  of  Black  River;  and 
all  of  them  are  well  circucnflanced  for  water^nfxills.  The  l^nd  in 
this  ifland  has,  from  its  firft  fettlement,  been  out  of  all  proportion 
too  much  for  its  average-ftock  of  inhabitants ;   but^'  if  it  ihoiild 

ever 


190  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

ever  become  populous,  tbeie  uegle£ted  portions  will  undoubtedl^r 
be  brought  into  culture.  In  the  year  1764,  a  projeft  indeed  was 
talked  of  here  for  building  a  bridge  acrofs  Black  River,  near  its 
mouth,  in  order  to  open  a  communication  with  the  Eaft  and  Weft 
fides ;  by  which  means,  it  was  allcdged,  and  with  great  appearance 
of  reafon,  that  the  contiguous  lands  might  fooii  be  improved  [^]; 
which  at  prelent  they  cannot  well  be,  on  account  of  the  inconve* 
nient  and  expeafive  mode  of  pafling  acrofs  in  a  ferry-boat,  fotf 
which  each  paflcnger  pays  y\d.  a  time  ;  and  often  it  happens,  that 
k  cannot  be  ferried  at  alh  The  fum  of  2500/.  was  propofed  to  be* 
laifed  within  the  pari(h,  for  carrying  this  fcheme  into  execution; 
hut  I  do  not  find  that  it  has  been  hitherto  attempted.  This  exteti-* 
five  fpace  of  undrained,  fwampy  ground  circumjacent,  renders  the 
habitations  on  the  bay  unfavourable  to  health.  So  it  proved  to  a 
company  of  the  66th  regiment,  quartered  here  in  1764.  In  th& 
month  of  Auguft  they  were  attacked  with  putrid  fevers  and.  dyfen* 
teries,  {o  fatal  to  them,  that  three  men  were  buried  in  o/ie  day  ;  an 
inftance  of  great  mortality^  confldering  the  fmall  number  of  which 
the  company  confided.  This  ravage  is  to  beafcribedto  no  other 
caufe  than  the  exhalations  reeking  from  the  marfliy  Ibil  around 
them,  which^  in  that  hot  feafon  of  the  year,  imparted  an  evil 
difpofition  to  the  atmofphere.  Some  of  the  other  quarters  on 
the  coafts  are  not  lefs  unwholefome^  from  fimilar  caufes ;  which  I 
ihall  occaiionally  (peak  of.  This  regiment,  which  was  chiefly  can« 
toned  in  <lifierent  parts  near  the  fea-(hore,  buried  in  this  year  no 
lefs  than  one  hundred  and  two  men ;  whereas  the  36th,  whofe 
quarters  lay  moftly  at  Spanifli-Town,  Port  Royal,  Mofquito  Fort, 
and  Clarendon  {two  detachments  only,  I  think,  being  pofted  on 
the  coaft  in  the  out-pari(hes ;  one  at  Old  Harbour,  the  other  at 

[e\  Tbc  land  contiguous  to  the<b9nksof  this  river  is  alledged  by  fame  to  be  of  an  infertile  ng* 
ture ;  which  they  afcribe  to  this  caufe,  th^  the  water,  being  uncharged  with  foil,  affords  no  vege« 
tative  depofitf  like  moft  other  rivers  of  the  ifland,  when  it  overflows  ^  but  rather  does  miichief*  by 
leaving  a  petrifii^Uve,  bansen  fubiUnce  behind.  If  this  be  ^^e,  it  fumi(hes  anodier  argument  10 
^vour  of  dnunijig  aad  eo^^anking^e  adjacent  grounds ;  by  which  means,  the  river-water,  being 
hindered  from  ipreading,  «:iight  be  confined  within  the  jcuts.  The  lownefs  of  fituation  induces  a 
probability,  that  any  fuch  depofit  is  but  very  fuperflriaJ,  and  that  at  a  very  fmaM  depth  the  natural 
foil  is  rich,  and  when  duly  turned  up  would  become  highly  prodo^ltve.  Befides,  there  certainly 
fsyifl  have  been  no  iinall  quantity  of  vegetable  mould  accumulated  in  the  cpuHi?  of  ib  ni^oy  ages, 
t^  the  aM\ia^  deqay  of  plants  imd  herbage  on  ibe  fur&cc»' 

Port 


BOOK    II.      CHAI>.    IX.  ipr 

Port  Maria),  loft  no  more  than  thirty  men.  They  both  arrived 
from  Europe  in  the  month  of  June.  And  hence  may  be  deduced 
fbme  ufeful  remarks  with  regard  to  the  fituations  mbft  proper,  or 
moft  baneful,  to  troops  fent  hither  from  Northern  climates ;  which, 
if  poffibly  it  can  be  avoided,  (hou!d  not  be  brought  down  to  fwampy 
places  near  the  coaft  ;  for,  in  the  inland  barracks,  they  would  pro- 
bably enjoy  their  health  and  vigour  unimpaired,  arid  fo  be  in  fitter 
condition  for  efFeftive  fervice ;  or,  by  the  refidence  of  one  or  two 
years,  become  fo  thoroughly  feafoned  to  the  climate  and  manner  of 
living,  as  to  be  lefs  fufceptible  of  malignant  diflempers,  in  cafe  of 
their  being  afterwards^  upon  any  emergency,  marched  into  ua* 
wholefome  quarters  on  the  coaft. 

State  of  the  Pairifh : 

Annuai  Produce. 
Negroes.         Cattle.  Sugar-plantations..    |.  Hoglheads.   |    Other  Settlemeqiik. 

*734»     704^   9184 
1740,     6641   9695: 

»745r     7575-    ^3Soo 
1761^     9715 

17689      lOIIO   16947      31       I     2600   j:      150 

From*  this  view  it  appears  tobe  improving;  but  it  contains  near 
ei^ty  tboufand  acres  of  land  as  ^t  unfettled ;  the  greater  part  of 
this  fs  mountainous^  though  capable  of  producing  coffee,  and  othec 
valuable  commodities^  The  air  of  the  low  lands  is  hot;,  and  thejc 
hav«  a. plentiful  flock  of  mofkeetos ;  but  the  hilly  parts  iagenerat 
are  temperate  and  pleafant*. 

SECT.      11; 
WESTMORELAND; 

.  THIS  parifli  was  formed  in  the  year  1705,  out  of  St.  Eliza- 
beth, by  which  and  a  part  of  St.  James  it  is  bounded  on  the 
Eaft;.  on  the  South-  and  Weft,  by  the  Sea;  and  on- the  North,  by 
Hanover.  Its  rivers  are  Bluefields,  in  the  Eaft  divifion  ;  Bonito, 
or  Cabarito  Eaft  Branch  ;  and  Cabarito  Weft  Branch  ;  which  in- 
terfed  it  about  the  middle  diftrid;  and  New  Savannah  River, 
which  rifes  further  Weft  ward.  It  has  likewife  fome  fmallec 
flreama;  and,  on  the  North* eaft,  the  Great  River,  which  difcharges 
5  «i^ 


i.^z  J    A    M    A    I    C    A^ 

on  the  North  fide  eoaft  of  the  ifknd^  makes  the  dividing  linatit.  It 
contains  feveral  head-lands,  ^nd  fome  good  harbours;  of  the 
former^  along  its  Southern  (hore,  are  Parkinfon's,  or  Palmeto 
Poinr,  Crab  Point,  Cape  Bonito  or  Bluff,  Cabarito  and  Palmeto 
Points.  From  the  laft-mentioned  to  South  Cape  Negril,  which  is 
the  Land's-end,  is  a  ridge  of  moderately  high  eminences,  called 
the  Negril  Hills;  the  fhore  iron-bound,  and  lined  with  rocks.  On 
the  Weft  end  are  this  Cape,  Cunningham's  Point,  and  North 
Cape  Negril,  which  divides  this  parifli  from  Hanoven  Bliiefields 
Bay  lies  Weftward^  within  Crab  Point*  It  is  fpaci6us,'and  has 
fuch  excellent  anchorage,  with  fo  fine  a  watering-place,  that  it  is 
the  conftant  rendezvous,  in  time  of  war,  for  the  homeward-bound 
fleets  and  convoys,  intending  to  fteer  by  the  way  of  Florida  Gulph. 
The  river,  which  falls  into  the  bay,  rifes  fuddenly  about  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  (hore^  and  turns  two  milia  in  its  way. 
Here  is  the  fecond  great  barquadier  for  the  plantations  in  this  parifii. 
Weft  of  this  bay  lies  Savannah  la  Mar,  latitude  North  about  iS""  13^, 
Sheltered  on  one  fide  by  Bluff  Point ;  on  the  Weft,  by  Cabarito. 
The  road  leading  into  Weftmoreland  from  St.  Elizabeth  croiTes  the 
boundary  at  a  place  called  the  Wells,  and  proceeds  for  eight  or 
ten  miles  along  a  dreary,  narrow  lane,  oppofite  ParkerV  Bay,  till  it 
reaches  Bluefields.  ^Near  this  paft  ftands,  on  an  elevated  ^r,'  tlib 
dwelling-houfe  of  Mr.  Wh— ^,  called  Bluehole,  which  comm^ds 
an  extenfive  profpe£t  over  the  fea  to  the  Southward,  and  oven  the 
Weftem  diftridt  of  the  parifti.  This  is  a  modern  buildiiig, .  con* 
ftruded  with  ft;one,  fortified  with  two  flankers,  and  loop^hole^*  for 
mufquetry,  and  defended,  befides,  towards  the  fea  with  a  barbette 
battery  of  fix  guns,  nine-pounders.  But,  notwithftanding  thefe 
muniments,  it  wa«  taken  during  the  laft  war  by  the  crew  of  a 
Spauilh  privateer,  who  plundered  the  houfe,  carried  away  the 
owner  and  his  brother  prrfoners,  and  treated  them  extreniely  ill: 
fortunately  for  them,  they  were  re-taken,  together  with  their  fcne- 
mies,  upon  whom  the  Englilh  captors  did  not  retaliate,  as  they 
well  deferved. . 

From  the  foot  of  this  hill,  the  paflkge  is  frequetrtly  madcadrorft 
the  bay,  about  four  miles,  to  a  place  called  the  Cave,  where  the 
barquadier  ftands.    This  is  built  of  timber,  and  proj^fted  to  a  con- 

iiderable 


BOOR    IL.    QHAP.     IX.  15^3 

.  fuknble  diftance  into  the  (ea^  fiir.  bolter  ccmtmtncy  of  fliif^ipg 
goods.    H^re  niofk  of  the  fugars^  n|m»  nlahogaii  j-pUuk,  ^\^  oti|^ 
commodities  of  the  ncaghbouring  estates,  are  put  into  boats^  or 
lighters,  to  he  carried  oq  board  fuch  (hips  aa  are  to  export  thefB, 
and  lie  either  at  Savannah  la  Mar»  oar  the  ufiper  tni  of  the  bay. 
The  road  fitup  hepcs  cqritinuts  rough  and  ftonj»  tiU  it  reaches 
Sweet  River»    ib  called  froijfi  the  tranfparency  and  purity  of  it^ 
watersi   which  fall  into  the  bay.     After  pafflng  this,  and  a  long 
tedious  lane«  thei^eof  the  country  opens  at  once  upon  the  view, 
and  appears  truly  beautiful  from  the  continued  fucceiiion  of  well* 
cultivated  fugar-eftat^s.  aind  rieib  pailmes,    Tbe  rajns  in  this  pari(h 
being  ufually  iieavter  tl»in ,  in  m^^  others  on  the  South  fid^  of  th^ 
ijQafid,  an^  the -country  tngeofrpl,  flat  pe^r,  t^ie  fc?,  the  roads  are 
coukqv^wtly .  &)i  the^  tjH^  pdit  dee^  afid  dirty ,  an4  in  the  rainy 
ftafi>ns  fcarcely  p^iiabl^.     Savannah  lit  M^r^  though  it  is  the  pri49» 
(tpal  barquadier,  bajs  {ieverthe)efs  but  a  very  indifferent  harbour,  or 
rafh^  road,  fQt  the  (hipping.    The  water  Is  ^oal,  and  againfl  the 
aiiaults.^f  tjbe  i^  it  is  defended  only  by  reefs  of  i^nkea  ^ocks,  and 
a,  few  l^l^drb^nksi  which  are  apt  to  (hiftt     Nor  is  it  muclx  better 
guarded  Bg^a  eoie;i|iies^     The  fort,   which  coft  the  pari0iioner% 
upwards  of  (lateen  thoufgqd  poinds  in  building,  js  extremely  ilU 
contrive^,   and   perpetually  Tapped,  by  thcf  iea.    formerly  it  wai^ 
spouQted  with  eighteen  or  twenty  guns,  pi9(tly  of  190  (mall  a  c^^ 
libffj  and,,  ii^deed,  both  fro^i  its  flirudureand  furniture,  it  never 
Cpuld  have  pfogciifed  any  (pcurity  except  ag^inft  pri:va|:eers^     Unlef^ 
it  has  y^ry  l?t^y  b««^  repaired,  if  is  in  a  very  ruipQus  condition^ 
It  was  never  compleated ;    and,  the  South  curtain  being  under* 
mined,  the  wall  on  that  fide  is  almofl:  all  tumbled  into  the  fea.     Aa 
&)x  the  baftipns,  they  are  for  the .  moft  part  un^iniihed.    Of  this 
fort  we  may  juftly  fay, 

Vu  (ionfili  expers^  tnoU  ruit  fad. 

*^  IH-counferd  force,  by  it's  own  native  weighty 

**  Headlong  to  ruin  falls/' 

The  parKhioners  thought  perhaps  thaf  they  had  a  right  to  l^f  out 
their  f^oney  in  what  manner  they  plear^djaifd  therefore^  copfulting 
(a$  one  would  imagine)  neither  enginepr,  nor  any  other  peribi) 
^ttf r  fkilled  than  ^emfelves  in  fprtiiicatioijii,  they  refoived  to 
VoJuU.  Cc  throw 


,94  JAMAICA. 

throw  away  one  half  of  it  into  the  fca,  ancl  with  the  other  ered 
this  mif-(hapen  pile,  as  a  lafUng  monument  to»  con Wnce  pofterity  of 
the  inexpertnefs  of  their  fore- fathers*  in  m^ilitary  architefture.    At 
the  entrance  is  a  fmall  magazine,  and  a  barrack  for  about  a  dozen 
men.    Moft  of  the  guns  are  difmounted  ;  and  falutes  are  therefore 
fired  from  a  battery  of  fourteen  fmall  pieces,  ranged  before   the 
court-houfe.     This   building  was  ereded  in  175 2v  for  holding  a 
court  of  common-pleas  in  matters  of  debt  not  exceecfing  ioo/«, 
quarter-feffions  of  peace,  eledtions,  and  veftry-meetings.    In  1758, 
the  affize-court  for  the  county  of  Cornwall  was  appointed  by  Jaw 
to  be  holden  here ;  in  confequence  of  which,  the  juriidi£fcion  was 
greatly  enlarged.     Two  years  before,  this  port,    together    with 
Kingfton,  Montego  Bay,  and  St.  Lucia,  was  by  aft  of  pafliameot 
made  free,  for  the  im^portatibn  of  live  cattle,  and  all  bt^er  C6m- 
moditics  except  fugars,    coffee,    pimento,    ginger,    melafies,   and 
tobacco,  the  growth  or  produce  of  any  foreign  colony  in  America ; 
and  for  the  export  of  Negroes,  and  all  other  legally  imported  com- 
modities in  foreign  fldops  or  fchooners  having  only  one  deck.     The 
ad vocatcs  for  this  bin,  and  the  fubfequent  one  (cap.  lii.  6  Geo.  III. 
which  permits  the  importation  of  foreign  mdaiies,  paying  only  a 
duty  of  one  penny>  per  gallon),  alledged  the  great  utility  of  ad- 
mitting Negroes  and  proviiions  to  be  brought  into  our  Weft-India 
illands  froni  the  foreign  cblotviear,  arid  in  foreign  bottoms,  in  order 
that  they  might  be  pleiitrfully  and  cheaply  fupplied.     On  the  other 
hand,  it  Was  objefted,  that  Ireland  and  the  North-American  pro* 
Vinces  were  very  abk  to  fornifh  our  iflands  with  much  mbrb  pro- 
vifionsthan  they  could  confume;  that,  if  the  price  of  Negroes  is 
high,  this  may  arife  from  fome  mifmanagement  in  the  African  trade ; 
but  that  it  does  not  appear  that  foreigners  can  buy  them  at  a  cheaper 
rate;  if  they  do,   the  trade  requires  to  be  better  regulated;  hut;  if 
they  buy  them  upon   equal  terms^  the  high  price  is  a  gain  to  the 
BritiHi  merchants;  that  the  capitil  miftake  in  thefe  bills  lay  in  the 
latitude  of  encouragement  which  they  gave  to  the  employing  a 
greater  ^lumber  of  foreign  fhij^ping  and  feamen  than  are  at  pre* 
fcnt  employed,    and  confcqiiently  '  dimiriifhihg   thofe    of  Greatl'" 
Britain. '  Nor  is  this  evil'  remedied  by  allowiiig  the  exportatioh  of 
Negroes,  and  cettaiit  Other  commodities'  frcfrai  our  iflands,  to' fuUt 

'  •    ■  foreign 


'  *  I  '• 


BOOK     11/    CHAP.    IX.  19^ 

foreign  colomes,  fince  the  famfe.  foreign  bottoms,  which  import 
proViilonSy  melafles,  cotton-wool,  and  indigo,  into  our  plantations, 
will  undoubtedly  endeavour  to  make  bullion  or  fpccie  the  chief 
article  of  their  return-cargoes.  The  bill  therefore  feems,  on  this 
prefumption,  in  an  e(pecial  manner  to  favour  the  navigation  and 
commerce  of  the  Dutch,  and  fuch  North- Americans  as  are, -from 
the  natilre  of  their  ^^mployment,' adopted  foreigners;  who  readilj 
obtrude  their  veffels  into  an  opening  of  this  kind,  and  aftually  be- 
come the  principal  carriers  of  l^rench  fugars  and  coffee  into  the  free- 
ports,  ivhence  they'  carry  a  return  chiefly  in  money  or  bullion  for 
the  French  ifliands.  it  was  faid,'  that,  if  provifions  are  dear  in  our 
iflands,  this  h&ppens  from  a  peculiar  obftacle,  namely,  **.that  the 
^«  North- "American  veflels  would  willingly  bring  them  as  much  as 
«  they  want,  if  they  could  but  be  fure  of  a  back-lading;  but  that, 
<*  from  the  difficulty  of  procuring  one,  they  carry  their  provifions 
tt  to  thfcFrctitli^ (lands,  and  fell  them  cheaper  than  they  would  at 
«  bur  oWn,''t)ccaufe  they*  can  take  in  at  the  French  iflands  a  hack^ 
"lading  of^tnelalfes/*  This  incoiiyeniende  was  intended  to  be 
obviated,'  in  p*rt,  by  the*  latter  of  the  z&s  mentioned,  admitting 
the  importation  of  French  melafles  into  eur  iflands,  which  may 
help  to  load  back  the  North- American  veflels :  but  upon  this  it  is 
rightly  bbferved,  that  the  iriiportaition  of  their  fugars  ought  like  wife 
to  have  been  allowed  under  certain  rdftriftionsi  and  for  feveral 
ftrong  reafons ;  viz.  the  North- Americans  would  then  have  no  pre-? 
tence,  nor  indeed  any  adequate  inducement,  to  go  to  the  French 
iflands  for  a  back-lading ;  they  would  bring  their  provifions  to  a 
better  market  at  our  iflands,  and  be  able  to  procure  the  very  re- 
turns" they  want ;  for  it  is  not  to  be  fuppofed  they  refbrt  to  the 
French  nierely  to  take  in  their  melafTes ;  the  French  fugars  are  their 
primary  objeft,  and  fiirely  they  would  rather  receive  them  at  Ja- 
maica without  rifque,  than  run  the  hazard  of  getting  them  clan- 
deflinely  from  Hifpaniola.  If  we  could  become  the  carriers  to  Eu- 
rope of  all  the  fugars  which  the  French  iflands  produce,  it  would 
certainly  be  very  much  for  our  interefl  to  become  fuch  ;  but,  whe- 
ther we  are  or  not,  their  produce  will  find  its  way  to  the  European 
markets,  either  in  their  own,  or  fome  other  bottoms. 

Cc2  We 


J96  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

We  are  then  to  coniider,  thai  d^  North- Acnericajos  &r«  caitiet^ 
every  year  of  a  certain  proportion  of  their  produce  (  and  in  all  like« 
lihood  will  fb  continue.    The  queftion  therefoitt  is,  whether  it 
would  not  be  more  advantageous  for  Great-Britain, ,  that  this  pro- 
duce fhould  be  firft  brought  into  our  ovTn  iflaadsi  to  be  aftecwarda 
taken  from  thence  to  Europe  by  Bridfli  carriers  ?     And  it  clearly 
appears  to  be  fQ»  betaufe  this  double  voyage  tend&  to  the  employ^ 
ment  of  more  Britiih  (hipping.    This  (hipping  would  receive  alJ^ 
or  the  greateft  (hare  of,   the  freight,  which  is  now  paid  to  fo- 
relgnersV  ot  to  North- Americans  s   belides  the  further  benefit  of 
fupplying  fugars  to  thoie  European  markets  which  .the  French  and 
Dutch  at  prefent  monopo|tz6i    In  reiped  to  our  ifland$>  they  would 
be  more  plentifully  furdiihed  ivith  poovifions^  and  be  able  to  keep 
up  their  flock  of  (ilver  fi^cient  for  circulation^  or  to  remit  the 
foperfluity  to  Britain,    inilead   of   feeing  it  drained  away  to  tho^ 
French  iflands.     Nor  need  the  planters  apprehend  the  low^iog  tho^ 
▼alue  (^  their  own  produce.    There  may  be^  it  is .  trae»  a  grftater 
qtlandty  and  aflbrtmefit.  of  fugars  ^t  their  markets ;  but  the  increaib 
of  demand,  and  tof  fliip)>ing^  to  take  it  off  their  hands^  oiuft  ne^ 
ceilariiy  be  in  proportion;  (b  that  the  augmentation  of  <me  will 
keep  pdce  with»  and  prevent  any  mifdiief  from,  the  iucreafe  of 
the  odnier..      This  poifit  is.  regv^ed  by  the  Eumpean  'ipaf^ets^ 
which  will  Aill  requirci  to  be  fupplied  as  heretofore ;  and  the  an»» 
Bual  t^uantity  Aipplied  for  their  confumption  cannot  be  at  all  a^ 
ftfled,  whether  it  is  brought  to  them  from  Hifpapiola,  or  fron^ 
Jamaica.     As  this  confumption  is  permanent,  fo  muft  be  the  de- 
mand; both  will  eo -operate  to  relieve  the  ifland-markets,  ^y^^^ 
they  have  (hipping  enough  to  faciUtete  the  carriage  to  Europe ;  and 
(hipping  is  naturally  attracted  by  weU-ftocked  markets,^  and  a  cer« 
tain  and  profitable  freight. 

Thefe  motives,  for  permitting  our  own  (hips  to  carry  Frenc^i 
produce,  with  a  view  to  improve  our  commercial  dealings  with 
the  North-Americans,  and  re-eftabli(h  an  export  of  fugars  to  the 
foreign  markets  in  Europe,  appear,  I  think,  of  fome  weight,:  aiod 
merit  ferious  coofideration ;  in  order  that  the  (everal ,  free  ports, 
opened  in  this  ifland,  may  become  of  more  extenfivc  utility  to  the 
trade  of  the  mother-country,  than  in  their  prefcnt  ftate  they  (eem 

^capable 


BOOK    n.      CHAP.    IX.  *p; 

capable  of.  The  ad:  of  parliament  was  certainly  well-meant|  but 
it  has  produced  an  effed  very  contrary^  in  fome  reipe^tsi  to  what  - 
was  intended- 

Of  all  the  blunders  committed  by  our  ftatefmen  reipefking  co* 
lony-trade,  none  perhaps  have  turned  out  more  injurious,  than  the  * 
branding  his  majefty's  (hips  and  tenders,  in  the  year  1764,  with 
cuftom^houfe  commiflionersy  under  pretence  of  rigoroufly  e&ecu- 
ting  the  navigation-adt ;  in  confequence  of  which  meafure,  and  tht  - 
firi£t  orders  accompanying  it,  the  Spanifli  traders  were  wholly  pro- 
fcribed  from  entering  the  ports  of  this  ifland.    The  folly  and  i^no*- 
ranee  of  thofe   who  projeded  and  abetted  this  French^Spamfh' 
fcheme  cannot  be  more  expofed,  than  by  {hewing  the  lofs  which  ^ 
Great-Britain  fuftained  in  coniequenoe  of  it,  and  which  will  ap«^ 
pear  from  the,  following,  comparative  account  of  the  exports  to » 

Jiunaica:. 

Valuci  Sterling,^    ,J^      j.  d^- 

1763^.       (fiefote  theie  reflations  took  place)    -^  584/978  o  6 

1764^      ^  I  ;     ■   •    .    " 456,^^8  o  o- 

^T^iv  — —  4^5*624  p  9 

1766,  —         — —  4i5»5M  o  o 

1767,  (Firfl:  year  of  the  free-port  a£k)  —  467,681  o     o 

This  lofs,  in  adual  diminution  of  exports*  amounts,  at  a  medium,  ^ 
to  1469134/.  StetXxtsg  per  annum*    But,  when  we  take  into  the  acr 
count  what  would  have  been  gained  on  the  returiv-cargoes,  and  ^ 
camj^te  th^  fupcr^lucration  on  the  primc-cofl:  only  at  30A  pir  ctnty  - 
the  lofs  in  four  years  amounts  to  upwards  of  700,000  /•     We.  may 
venture,  indeed,  without  any  exaggeration,  to  pronounce  it  neai: 
amiUioOr     And,  what  isworfe,.we  have  every  reafon  to  believe, 
that.  France^  by  the  immediate  tranflation  of  this,  trade  to  her  co- 
lonies, gained  at  leaH  the  full  amount  of  wh«it  Greats  Britain  lofl. 

Second  to  •  this  enormous  meafure,  were  the  orders  given  (rather 

unwifely),  in  a  public  manner,  in  November  1765,  for  the  free  ad* 

miflion  *  of  Spaniih  veflels  into  all  the  colonies.     Little  regard  was 

paid  to  this  invitation  by; the  traders. 

Exvlufit ;  revocat^     Redeam  ?     Non  ;Ji  me  obfecret. 

"  He'*  (the  minifter)  *'  kicks  us  out  of  doors;  then  he  calls  us 

«<  back.     Shall  we  return  ?    No ;  not  if  he  fhould  intreat  us 

H^  on  his  knees." 

4  The 


J9«  J    A  -M    A-  I    C    A. 

The  free-port  aft  was  then  let  go  as  the  (heet-anchor.  Great  acP- 
vantages  would  probably  have  rcfulted  from  this  meafure,  if  it  had 
been  thought  of  and  tried  immediately  after  the  war,  inftead  of 
commiflioning  cruizers  to  deftroy  the  trade:  and  although  it  may 
have  prevented  a  total  wreck  of  this  valuable  commerce ;  yet  it 
came  perhaps  too  late,  and  under  too  many  difadvantageous  cir^ 
cgmftances,  to  make  any  adequate  reparation  for  the  damages  we 
liave  fuftained,  and  are  ftill  liable  to  fuftain. 

The  trading  inhabitants  of  the  ifland  required  nothing  more  than 
very  ftrift  and  positive  private  injunftions  to  the  governor  and 
pojt-officers,  not  td  allow  or  to  praftife  cxadlions  upon  thofe  fo- 
reigners who  cameliither;  whereby  they  had  at  different  times 
been  rriiich  difcouraged.  The  aft  of  navigation,  fo  far  as  regarded 
thefe  particular  bottoms  importing  live  ftock  and  bullion,  was  al- 
ways relaxed,  and  never  rigoroufly  obferved  here ;  becaufc  it  ap- 
peared repugnant  (fo  far  as  regarded  thefe  imports)  to  the  fpirit 
of  commence,  and  the  plain  intereft  of  Britain.  *  Thefe  were  there- 
fore already  free-ports  in  every  beneficial  fenfe ;  and  the  traffic 
went  on  in  filence  and  fecurity.  But  fo  foou'  as  gftvernment  inter* 
fered,  with  a  view  to  do  no  more  than  was  already  virtually  'done, 
fo  public  a  declaration  of  favouring  this  commerce,  and  laying  open 
what  ought  to  have  remained  clandefline,  naturally  awakened  jea- 
Joufy  in  the  brcalt  of  that  power,  whofe  policy  it  has  ever  been  to 
defeat  and  impede,  as  much  as  poffible,  every  fuch  attempt; 
Guards,  cautions,  and  penalties,  were  multiplied,  and  held  td 
their  vigilance  and  execution  with  fuch  unabating  feverity,  as  had 
never  before  been  obferved. 

'What  would  be  the  confequeiKe,  if  the  port  of  Boulogne,  or 
Durikirk,  in  France,  was  to  he  opened  by  a  public  arret,  exprefsly 
for  the  importation  of  fmuggled  wool  from  Great-Britain  ?  Surely, 
the  whole  Britifh  nation  would  take  alarm,  and  Britifh  guarda- 
coftas  would  immediately  be  commiflioned,  without  number,  to 
prevent -the  efFeft  which  an  invitation  fo  authoritatively  given  might 
be  likely  to  produce.  It  is  notorious,  that  large  quantities  of  Pori 
tugal  gold  have  been  privately  gleaned  from  Portugal,  and  brought 
into  this  kingdom.  But,  if  government  fhould,  from  a  fOnd 
dcfire  to  fwell  the  tide,  and  procure  the  ftream  to  flow  hither  in 

a  pifblick 


BOOK    II.       CHAP.    IX.  f99 

a  publick  channel,  iflue  proclamations  for  exprefsly  encour^Ing  the 
importation  of  gold  coin  from  Portugal ;  is^  there  any  doubt,  but 
every  Britifh  vefl'el,  and  their  crews,  would  be  fearched  in  the  moft 
rigorous  manner  before  they  were  fuffered  to  depart  from  Lilbon  and 
Oporto  ?  or  may  it  not  rather  be  queftioned,  whether  any  Britifh 
veflel  would  ever  be  admitted  to  enter  them  again  ? 

I  have  faid  enough  to  point  out  the  ill  confequence  of  this  mear 
fare,  and  the  ground  of  complaint  among  the  Jamaica-traders,  whp 
are  all  fenfible  that,  inftead  of  being  ferved  by  it,  they  have  loft 
what  perhaps  may  never  be  retrieved.     And,  unfortunately,  things 
are  fo  circumftanced,  that  a  repeal  of  the  freie-port  law  would  only, 
tend  to  make  bad  matters  worfe.     We  muft  therefore  leave  it  to 
the  operation  of  time,    and  the  dexterous  management  of  thofe' 
parties  who  are  to  be  reciprocal  gainers  by  this  traffic,  to  revive  it 
again  extenfively.     It  is  a  very  juft  obfervatipn  I  have  forae where 
met  with,  that,,  confidering  the  native  wants  of  Spain,  the  vaft 
cxpences  fhe  is  at  in  endeavouring  to  prevent  her  colony- fubjefts  ^ 
frpm  fupplying  themfelves  with  various  conveniences  in  a  clandeftinc 
manner,  which  they  cannot  procure,  at  leaft  in  fufficient  quantity, 
or  equally  cheap,  by  any  other  channel  at  prefent ; — That,  notwith- 
ftanding  all  thefe  precautions^  no  lefs  than  fifteen  millions  of  every 
annual  cargo  have  been  fuppofed  to  belong  to  foreigners ;  and  that 
it  is,  in  every  view,  fo  much  for  the  intereft  of  that  nation  to  culti- 
vftte .  the  friendfbip  of  Britain,  and  admit  the  latter  to  a   fair  and 
regular  commerce  by  treaty :— Thefe  circumftances   confidered^  it 
is  amazing  that  flie  (hould  rather  have  chofen  to  reject  what  might 
fettle  a  perpetual  harmony,  between  the  two  nations,  an^  to  perfift^ 
io  thofe  ftubborn  ^  maxims,    of  whofe  inefficacy   fhe  has   had    fb 
long  and  uniform  an  experience-     It  is  in  vain  for  her  to.exped, . 
that  her  numerous  fubjedls  here  will  obey  thofe  refcripts,  in  the  * 
breach  of  which  tlieir  natural  wants,  as  well  as  their  intereft  and, 
inclination,  concur^     Inftead   of  an  equitable  tariff,  admitting  the 
free  importation  of    certain  enumerated  goods   and  manufadlures 
frorn  Britain  ;  (he  has  often  unneceflarily  infulted  and  provoked  its 
vengeance:    and  the   iflue  of  all  her  quarrels  has  only  ended  iit 
wafte  of  her  treafure,  lofs  offhips^  and  the  affording  more  conve- 
nient opportunity  for  the  fubjeds  on  both  fides  to  prdfecute  that' 

6  -   -•       verv 


2iho  JAMAICA. 

very  intcrcourfe  which  (he  meant  to  obftrud;  infbtnuch  that  it 
never  has  attained  to  fo  flouriftiing  and  active  a  ftate  as  during  the 
tihie  of  open  war.     By  a  different  fyftem  of  policy,  the  might 
^  have  enjoyed  a  ftrift  alliance  with  the  greateft  maritime  power  in 
the    world,    capable    and  ready  to   fight   her    battles',    and     de- 
fend her  againft  the  united  forces  of  all  the  other  European  ftates ; 
whofe  merchants  might  have  largely  augmented  her  revenue  [/], 
by  regular  payment  of  the  bullion-duties,    and  have  united  with 
her  in  keeping  off  every  interloper ;  for  it  had  then  been  their  in- 
^tereft  to  put  a  flop  to  every  inlet  of  contraband  traffic,  and  make 
every  return  which    honour,    good  faith,   and  gratitude,    could 
i prompt.    Thus  might  Spain,  inftead  of  being  one  of  the  poorcfl, 
bcconxe  one  of  the  richefl  and  moft  refpeAable  powers  in  Europe  ; 
af  it  were  not  for  the  infatuation  of  thofe  impolitic  counfels  which 
lib  long  have  kept  her  at  variance  with  Great -Britain. 

But  it  is  now  time  to  return  to  Savannah  la  Mar,  hitherto  the  me- 
ttropolis  of  Cornwall ;  though  Montego  Bay  feems  to  tread  clofe  on 
its  heels,  and  in  a  few  years  will  probably  difpute  this  pre*eminence. 
The  number  of  veflels  which  enter  and  clear  here  is  from  fixty  to* 
.feventy  per  annum  i  and  the  tonnage,  exclulive  of  coafters,  has  by 
ibme  been  computed  per  average  at  eleven  thoufand  five  hundred. 
TTie  town,  not  many  years  ago,  pofTeffed  a  very  flpuriihing  trade. 
It  is  iituated  commodioufly  for  a  correfpondence  with  Truxillo, 
Honduras,  and  the  Mofquito-(hore ;  being  not  more  than  one  hun- 
dred and  five  leagues  from  the  bay  of  Honda,  and  the  pafTage  equally 
ihort  and  {peedy,  as  the  trade-wind  ferves  both  in  going  and  re- 
Tturning^     Near  this  trad  lie,  fcattered  along,  the  little  cayes  and 
iflands  of  Setranilla,  Quitofveno,  Serrana,  Roncador,  San£la  Cata« 
lina  or  Old  Providente,  and  St.  Andreas,  &c.     Serrana  took  its 
name  from  Auguilin  Pedro  Serrana,  who  was  wrecked  upon  it,  and 
lived  here  ieveu  years.    San£la  Cataliua  was  a  celebrated  place  of 
refort  for  the  buccaneers,  is  about  fifty  leagues  from  Cape  Gracias 
^  Dios,  and  contains  feveral  good  harbours ;  for  which  reafbn  it 
ieems  a  very  proper  ftation  for  fmall  cruizers  in  war-time.     The 
town,  at  prefent,  is  but  fmall,   confining  only  of  one'  toIend)le 
ftreet,  and  aboat  fifty  or  (ixty  fcattered  houfes.    Moll  of  the  pro« 

[/J  A  fifth  of  all  the  treafure  ih|ppcdfrom  thck  ilmerican  dbmimops. 

duce 


B.OQKlIt.    !CHAR    IX.  201 

dace  x>£/  W^«K>M^iJd>  beWes :  fftWje  ofi  what  belongs  to  Sf-  Eli- 
zabeth and  Hanover^  i;g  (hipped. from; tbis  port..  Underneath  the 
coiii-t-hourey  or  ball  of  juftice^  are  the  barracks,  capable  of  re- 
ceiving ffivfinty  men^.  and  garrifoned  with  a  company  of  the  re- 
gulars. The  fituation,  in  point  9f  jbQalth,  is  by  no  .njeans^ap- 
provable;;  for  to  the  AV^^w^d  pf  it  lies  a  iraAof  undrained  mo- 
rafs,  at  leaft  feven;  miles  in  length,  which,  at  certain  times  of  the 
year  cannot  fail  of  producing  miichievous  efFe£ls.  It  is  overfpread 
with  mangroves^  and  below  the  level  of  the  iea,  and  therefore 
not  ea(i)y  to  be  drained.  Cabarito  Eaft  River  difcharges  its  ftream 
into  it,  ai^d  contributes  by  this  means  not  only  to  feed  the  lagoon- 
water,  but  ill  ibme  degree  to  refrelh  iL  Whether  the;  river  could 
be.  converted  into  a  drain,  by  banking  and  retj-ieving  the  ground  on 
each  fide,  is  a.pcfintl  cannot  determine;;  b^t  it  m^y  be  worth  e:d- 
amination.  This  river  has  two  good  bridges  of  timber  acrofs  it, 
and  is  navigable  in  boats, about  twelve  miles  inland  to  a  public  bar- 
quadier  at  Paul's  ifland^  :  The, land  on  .w^h  the  town. is  built-  is 
flat  and  low,  fubje£l:  thci:efore  to  thole  exceflive  heats  and  putrid 
vapours,  which,  in  the  months  of  July  and  Auguft,  occaiion  fatal 
maladies  in  habits  unfeafoned  to  fuch  places  of  refidence.  In  1768, 
a  very  neceflary  a^  was  pafied,  the  better  to  fecure  this  town  from 
accidents  by  fire.  Coopers  were  prohibited  from  making  fires  ex- 
cept within  an  inclofed  y^rdf  furrounded  by  a  brick  or  ftone^Wall 
of  eight  feet  height,  having  only  one  door,  and  that  placed  to  the 
Weftward ;  and  the  magiflrates  were  empowered  to  caufe  all  huts 
and  other  buildings  covered  with  thatch  to  be  pulled  down.  The 
hamlet  of  Queen*s  Town  ftands  about  two  miles  North  from  Sa- 
vannah la  Mar.  It  confifts  of  a  few  houfes  tolerably  well  builr; 
but  is  a  place  of  no  note  as^yct.  TJhis  is  mor$^  yf^ally  called  Beck- 
ford  Town,  or  Savajinah,  the  land  haying  been  given  in  lots  of 
from  five  to  twenty  acres  by  the  late  Richard  Beckford,  c(q;  and 
legularly  laid  out  for  ftreets,  with  a  large  fquace!  left  in  the  centre 
for  a  church.  At  the  Weft  end,  between  the  two  capes  of  Negril,. 
is  Long  Bay;  where  is  good  anchorage,  and  (belter  from  te?n*. 
peftuous  winds.  It  is  conveniently  fituated  for  Qur  men  of  wftr, 
during  any  rupture  with  Spain,  to  lie  in  wbit  for  the  Spantfh  veiTels^ 
pafiing  to  or. from  the  Havaiviiah:;  and  bierbiadmiral  Bembow.  coi*^ 
Vol.  II.  '  Dd  le^ed 


^i  J    A    SI    A^  I    G)  A.  ^ 

It  Is  fiot  as  yet  maa«  *C(Hiv*n?«ftt  f6r  (hi^pfti^*  'cf  predAWj^  feeirtg 
retidettA  •aI{iM>ft  MiKreeffiMi  eh  the  UndJfidel|yy  ixleans'of  a  l$lif^ 
iftdrAfe,  eftdhdittg  "Ae  Whole  teM^^  cod^^eheiiding  Vrpward*  of 
fix  thottfaAd  ach^,  wbkh  In  tinae  may  probably  be  drained  and 
cuttis^ated^  as  the  Bktck  Mdrafs  vrhich  lies  n^ar  the  c^tore  of  the 
parifii  has  (Uc<te(sfuUy  be«i*  It  cttttaiAs  iai^e  4Hia;Btitie8orgrafe^ 
boar-wood,  Sahta  Mam  thfitch,  ahd  momitain  fcabbagie  treis?  and 
is  interiperfed  with  fmaH  ifiands,  foil  of  btciid-nift  and  other  hard 
titnber  trees,  and  feme  inahogany ;  whk^  prove  the  foil  to  be  Very 
deep  iftd  Hch.  Three  ft^efeimsi  or  Kvulets,  take  th<^ir  rife  in  it, 
and  empty  themfelves  at  Ncgril  iHarbofiir,  and  Long  ^Bay.  When 
the  wind  ftts  hard^in  \ipt>A  this  part  of  the  coaft  from  Weft  And 
North- Weft>  they  ai%  fi^cqucntly  repelled ;  and  by  tiiis  mea'ns 
overflow  thfc  l6*rer  grounds.  Yet  the  draining  of  this  traft  appears 
extremely  praflicable,  and  by  means  of  the  rivers^  if  proper  flood- 
gates and  binks  were  fornieM,  after  th6  noethod  pradifed  on  the 
flat  coaifts  of  LJncdJnlhire  and  Si^x.  The'Eaftcrn  range  of  the 
moraft  has  a  fine,  febftantial  cfey  j  but  the  part  nfearcft the  fea  is  of 
a  loofer  texttite,  though  pofli'My  it  might  become  more  T0M9  if  it 
could  be  reclairtied  from  the  watery*  which  at  prefenffips  and  boles 
through  it.  It  is  the  refort  of  wild  pigeons,  and  hogs,  in  great 
abutHkhc5i ;  and  the  rivulets  are  ftored  with  plenty  of  excellferft  fifh 
4Ad  land-turtle. 

This  ps^i(h  has  a  thapel  for  performing  divine  fervifce,  thoiigk 
freely  opulent  and' popuk>u&  enough  to  afford  a  good  church*  Th^ 
chapel  is  built  with  timber,  and  ftands  in  the  favannah,  about  the 
diftance  of  one  mile  from  the  town  of  Savannah  la  Mar. 

Some  years  4go,  thttt  wds  an  exceeding  good  church,  of  white 
it^e-ftone,  built  in  the 'form  of  a  crois,  about  feven  miles  from  the 
bay :  but  the  *pari(hioners  falling  into  a  violent  difpute,  whether 
they  ftiould  repair  it,  or  ereft  a  new  one  at  Savannah  la  Maf,  the 
xoof.was  unable  to  Wait  the  ifilse,  but  tumbled  in  ;  and,  the  point 
not  having  fince  been  brought  to  a  final  determination,  it  remains 
a  iftately  ruin^  to  add  one  proof  more  to  the  million  of  the  deplo* 
rablt'  effefts  which  attend  reiigiom  ^  fquabbles*  As  the  two  parties 
cdold  «nor  *ag^eb>  thd  church  (which  formterly  was  no  uncommon 
'  *^  cafe) 


6(pQfC-IU     OHAP.;     IX.  jj9| 

dUapi4fl)ticn»  en^^voiired  to  cpiikyince  theni,  that  it  Viil  at  Jeaft  be 
the  cheaper  plan  for  them  to  build  a  new  tabernacle  than  rem^f:  the' 
okt  one.  M  nOi  ho»ft  o^  refi4|5%9^  h^  been  provide^,  £»?  the  reflpr, 
he  receives  .5P /.  a  ye^  19  ii^u  o^onc.j'5fhe4-e<ao/j!s  ftijefldi^  a^a^;- 
bwt  bis  whole  ifjc^il?:  ^xa?  t^eei^  ^n^t^  a^ijp^^lefa  tjiiao.  700/;  I^ 
the  year,  < 711*^.4  Mr.  Thftijw^>^ai«»ii?4f.d<?.yi^d7^h,e^^^^^^  of  h^f 
fftate  to.  tr«fl:?e$,  for  tip«.  ^rpoifes  of  fpn^idiug  a  f^ee-fe^ol  nekf 
Beckford  Tovwi,  roaintaiping  ^  educafiBg.ppo^r,chJJLdjBeo  of  tjip-p^i- 
rUh,  till  the  age  of  fourt^ew^  -In  1738,  an  a<a  was  paffed  for  mora 
effefl^ally  ^x^uti/jg  thi$.  charitable  h^i^eft.  Thefruilees  w:9i:e  in? 
cprporated^  qjn^o:9fered,  to  build  a  fchepl-houfe,  r^eiycj  chiUrei^i 
;^ip^qt  tuton,  ^  preJG^ribc  rol?s  an^  <^4f!^^t  vi?cleJc  a  cpmmc^ 
ijbal^  foe  it3,be»|^  gpv^rij^at.  I  fhajilji^e  .pietfafion  hereafter  tp 
o&pr  fome  renj^f  1^  in  regard  m  thia  ^d  other  finaiUr  foundations, 
5Khich  l^;ay<?  npt  wt  geu^ei^al  aafvyered  thp  ^pod  ends  of  their  iiir 
ftitutibfu  f      .  .  \' .  ' 

In  |h^  Eaft  part  of  the,  p^rifli,^  near  Scot*s  Cav/e,  were  fettled  the 
Surinam  plant;ei;$  i/i  1675,  and  in  1699  the  remnant  of  th^  Scotch 
Darieu  colooyr  who  may  now  be  traced  by  the  names  of  ieveral 
fettleqaeats  hereabouts,  as  GuUoden^  Auchhidowiiy  ^c.  From 
the  fopiv^r*  this  diviiion  was  called  Suripam  quarter^  The  fa- 
yaonab^t.  or  is>yf  h^^h  pC  WeAmprolaad  are  in  general  ric];i  and 
fort;!!^,  bpt,,  if  iij^gl^tSed  fQV  any  time,  .become  as  much  infeued 
u^ith  l9^9Qd  as  thpfe  \n  St^  Catharine^s  are  with  the  ppopinax* 
The  ^r  of  th^fe  parts  is  hpt,  bujt  tolerably  healthy,  except  neaf 
the  flipre.  Thp  Eafl  and  North- eaft  cji^rj^j  heii)g  very  mouijitai- 
nORs,'  is  nc^tyet  peppled,  Towards  the  Weft,  or.  land's-end,^  the 
hillfi  dimioiih*.  Many  o£  the  planters  houfes  are  fituated  on  thefe 
QipjnencQs,  and  enjoy  a  very,  pur^  and  healthy  air,  though  fubje^ 
tp  very  heavy,  and  frequent  rains,  occafioned  by  the  cplTe£tioiV  pf 
vapotirs^  blown  l?ither  from  the  Eaftward,  over  the  whole  tex?gth 
of  tlie  iftan^t.  hy  the  trade-wind:  thefe  are  oiften  innpedea  ip  their 
Q0Mr(f>  either  hy  the  high  ridges,  or  WefterJy  airs,  and  then  they 
j^l  yejy  cppjoufly.  \^bis  plentiful  irrig^tioiv  thou^^i  produaivc 
of  fpm^  ipcpfiypnienqlies, .  y^t  conduces  to  the  fertility  of  the  plai\- 
totjons,  and  f«curcs  tjlj^ir  crops  wltK  ^?^  c«- 

D  d  2  tamty. 


L 


ab^  '■'■'    J    A    lA    a' 'I    C"'AJ 

tainty,  that  It  may  be  eftecrncd  one  oF  the  fnoft  eligible  for  fugdr 
in  the  whole  ifland,  both  in  regard  to  quantity,  and  excelleiKe  of 
quality^  ' 

On  leaving  Savannah  la  Mar,  the  road*  to  Hianover  croffes  Caba^ 
rito  River  twice,  at  no  great  drftancc,  by  two  bri<Iges,  abdut  eight 
ot  nine  feet  wide,  conftru£ted  with  planks  laid  acrofs  fome   beams, 
bot  unprovided  with  any  fide-rails  to  guard  paffengeia  from  tumbling 
over.'    This  river  takes  its  rife  among  the  Haiiover  Mountains,  a 
little  to  the  Eaftward  of  King'sA^alley.     At  Black  Morafs  it  fepa- 
fates  into  two  ftreams,  one  of  vfrhich  empties  itfelf  into  the  fea  at 
Savannah  la  Mar,  as  already  mentioned ;  the  other,  a  little   to  the 
Weftward  of  it.     Thefe   ftreams,  although  they  run   upwards  of 
eighteen  oir  twenty 'miles  through  the  country,  are  neithir  of  them 
navigable,  except  for  canoes.     From  hence  to  Albany  plantation 
the   way  is,  in  general,  very  flat,  confined,    and  fwampy.      This 
brings  us  to  the  Delve  barracks,  which  were  built  in   confequence 
of  the^infurredion  in  1761,    and   capable  of  accommodating  one 
hundred  men.     They  are  fituated  near  the  foot  of  Hanover  Moun- 
Jtains,    tolerably   well  conftruded,    and  judicioufly  pofted.     They 
ftandon  a  dry  fpot  near  the  dividing  line  of  the  two  parifhes,  three 
or  four  miles  'diftant  at  leaft  from  the  morafly  ground  of  Negril, 
and  are. well  enough  contrivefl  to  ahfwer  moft  of  the  purpofes  for 
which  the^  were  intended,  being  fuflficiently"  ftroiig  to  refill  any 
force  that  a  band  of  rebellious   Negroes  could  bring  igiinft  them. 
They  are  alfo  built' in  a  place  moft  likely  to  be  infefled  with  fuch 
difturbances ;  for  it  is  a  part  of  the  country  where  there  are  a  great 
multitude    of  flaves,  and  few  proprietors  of  eftates   refide;   and 
where  the  neighbourhood  is  filled  with  woods  and  thickets, '  that 
iriight  the  oftener  tempt  them  to  mutiny,  by  the  (belter  they  afford, 
if  they  were  not  kept  in  awe  by  thele  barracks,  from  which  a  fmall 
detachment  might   harrafs  and  prevent  their  comhiitting*  any' ex- 
tenfive  outrages.      This  building  is,  however^'  defeftive  in  fome 
relpefts.     The  hofpital  foirthe  fick  is  only  divided  from  the  com- 
mon room  by  a  boarded  partition,  full  of  chinks ;  by  Which'  means 
there  is  a  continual  paflage  open  for   malignant  iahd   noxious    ef- 
fluvia to  irifcft  the  healthy.     The  number  of  Idop-holes  is  likewife 
-too  finall,  there  not  being  more  than  five  or  fix;  fo  that  very  little 

annoyanco 


BOOK  »r. '  CMAA    IX.  2D5 

annoyance  can  be  giv^ri  from  it  in  cafe  it  (hould  beclofely  befieged. 
The  window-ftiutters  are  of  buUet-tree-wood  (fo*  called,  becaufe  an 
inch^board  of  it  is  bullet-proof ) ;  but,  if  tbefe .  windows  are  to  be 
opeded  in  the  time  of  attack,  in  order  that  the  garrifon  may  fire 
upon  tbeir  enemy,  which  they  could  not  otherwife  do,  for  want  of 
loop  holes,  their  bodies  muft^neceflkrily  be  much  ^xpofed,  and  the 
-fliuttefs  of  no  ufe  to  &reen  them.     The  roiids,  for  three,  miles  after 
leaving  Albany,  afford  a  pro<pe£t  delightfully  variegated.     Towardis 
the  North,  the  late  conkmodore  F — rr — ^(I's  planta^iofn,  an4  feveral 
others,  are  feienftretching' along  cthefkirts  of  the  Hanover  Moun- 
tains, whicli  arte  juft  behind^  and  fee^  ta  >  over^hang  them*.    The 
ground  towards  the  So»th  appears^  uneven,  poor,  and.  of  a  redd ifh 
foil ;  full  of  brakes  and  irregular  c)utnps:of  trees,  and  unirultivated ; 
fervingonly  to  feed  a  few  young  cattle  that  graze  fcantily.  among  the 
bu(he&'   Point  Negril  lies  about,  three  or.  four  miles  Weil  of  Air 
bany;.  The  inorafly  land  embracing  it  renders .  tbe  air  of  th$  ad«» 
jacent  eflatesdamp  and  uhwholdfome.  ^  Eaflward,  the  view  is  ter- 
ininated  by  another  range  of  mountains,  covered  with  a  focefl:  of 
mahogany  and  other  gigantic  trees.     Between  thefe  difierent  moun- 
tainous barriers  lies  the  road  -to  Hanover,  through  the  fertile  glade 
called  King's  Valley,  which  exhibits  a  lively  and  pifturefque  fcene. 
Though  not  above  half  a  mile  acrofs,  it  is  inimitably*  contrafted 
throughout.     It  abounds  with  delicious  Iprings  and  Cdolfng  rivulet^, 
refrefhing  the  land  through  which  they  glide.    The  lofty  taouritains 
on  either  fide  twice  every  day  extend  their  gratefuL  (hade  over  the 
whole,  and  veil  the  richly-cultivated  fields  below  from  the  fun, 
preferving  the  canes  from*  taint  in  times  of  drowth,' to  which  the 
champaign  lands,  in  many  parts  of  *  the- ifland,  are  much  expofed. 
There  are,  beiides,  in  this  ffequeflered  vale,  Mo '  or  three  6nooth 
fugar-loaf  hills,    that    rife   to  cpnfiderable  elevation, "  antf  virhbfe 
ever-green  and  floping  fides  yield  pafturage  to  numerous  herds  of 
cattle.  ,  • 

The  whole  machinery  of  this  charming  fpot  is  highly  pleafing; 
for,  abflraded  from  its  natural  beauties,  it '  is  decorated  with  feme 
handfbme  plantation -houfes  i  at  one  of  which  (called  Glafgow) 
fituaited  on  a  riling  ground,  is  a  battdiy  *  which  was  of  great  life  m 
prote^ing  the  eflates  here  during  the  Negroe  rebellion. 

Flom 


.  Fro»  hence  the  road  itito  Hstnov^r  »6r  by  «  ft^ep  ifqcsnt^  Of  radp^r 
pafs,  of  about  a  mile  in  length,  fo  nqrrow^  that  two  horfes  can 
icarcel)^  go  a*brea{t:«  From  the  fummit  of  it,  the  ^ye  takes  in,  at 
oftce„  a  rural  fcene  enriched  witihi  ey.^ry.  emjl?eHi(bip«ift  of  art  aod 
nature.  The  laodfchape  is  mixoi^ly.  A9fi$  aud  mock^  defcrtpr 
tion :  cajnefielda,  villas,  paftwsst  .ciHrnp^.  groves,  and  riyulets^ 
are  promifcuoufly  fpi;ead  ovef  the.wh<>Jp  of  ^t$  fvy^Ui^g  w^yy  fqri- 
iace.  Thefc  extend  twa  or  thfee  wjcfi  frqm  the  centre  of  the 
profped>  h^vkig  about  one^half  fill^j(e4  as  i^  AV<re«  with  a  rapge 
of  hiDs  eavfilc^d  with  tbifcket9,  ai^d  a  (haggy  roaptle  4)f^  ven^i- 
rable  trees,;  the  other, .  ikirted  by  the  Wefterpi  oofao*  Thia  4ifti;i6b 
of  the  pariih  exceeds  mpA  oKhcrsy  a^  weU  'm  th»  coafiguration.  aibj 
wild  arrangenaent  of  all  its  paiits^  as.  in  i^e  peculiar  liatum.of  its 
foil,  which  is  a  kind  of  fuller' s-^afth^  ibapy  and  rich  ^  &  conge*- 
iiial  to  the  fugar-cane,  that,  a  long  and  uiunterj:upced  culture,  feems 
not  m  theleaft  ea  have.  exhauAed,  ^ur  even  inipaired^  its  fertility* 
The  {ugar«  nsade  here  moil  refemble  thoCb  o£  Liguaaea^  remarkablby 
Gne^  and  inferior  to  none  ia  the  Weft-Indies.  But  I  fliall  not  anti* 
cipate  farther  the  defcdptton  of  Hanover  pariihc 

State  of  the  Pariih : 

Anoual  Pnklaoe. 

«73V:     9P^      H'i    '  / 

i745t      ^^^3^        ^5^? 

1768*       15186       13750  69  I     Boco      [  96 

Thei;e  needs  nq  otbec  propf,  tp  fliew/hpw  greatly  it  has  im- 
proyedjof  lat^  y^ars.  It  i^  very  capable  of  beipg  advanced  ftill  further 
in  its  prpduft,  if  brqei^ing-peims  fhould  ever  be  formed  in  the 
North-eafl;  mountains,  aiid  the  lowland-penns  be  converted  into 
fugar-plantations.  The  road,  Which  has  lately  been  complcated 
from  Deanc^s  Valley,  in.  this  parifb^  to.  the  Bogue  in  St.  Jaincs's, 
is  ikilfyUy  conduced  and  weil-Hoifhed,  and;  will  probably,  invite 
the  propi|iel;ora  of  laud^  cqjj^tiguoua  to.  it  qu  each  fi^c,  to  open  and 
fcttli?  th(?if  lot§.    Thfs  raaji  is  now.  the  grand  cpiuroupicaupn  her 

t^ecn 
.6 


i 


BOOIC    11.     CHAP.      IX.  aof 

tween  the  two  pariflics,  and  eitrernely  convefticnt  to  littth,  as  thi6^ 
aiSize- court  is  held  at  Savannah  la  Mar.  ^ 

The  natural  curidfities  in  this  parifli,  hitherto  difcoveYed,  are 
but  very  few ;  though  the  want  of  them  is,  douhtlefs,  compenfatdd 
by  the  variety  of  its  natural  beauties,  hi  point  of  wood,  water, 
and  profpefts.  At  Ricketts*s  Savannah,  in  the  Weftern  diftri^t,. 
two  mineral  fpriiigs  were  difcovered  not  long  fince.  A  gentlfemau 
of  the  faculty,  who  tried  fome  experiment?  upon  them,  affirmed, 
as  I  am  told^  that  they  were  not  inferiol:  to  the  celebrated 'Geroii-- 
ftere  fpa;  and  that,  on  being  adminiftered,  they  have  proved  effi- 
cacious, in  ,the  fame,  diforders  which  that  fpa  To  fucceft:fully 
relieves-.  .     * 

S  E  C  T.   iir. 

HANOVEIL 

THIS  parifli  is  bounded  on  the  Eaftby  Great  Riveri  Which  dJ- 
irides  k  from  St.  JpiiiiesT  on-'thfe  Weft  and  Nbrth,  by  tfte  fca  ;  and 
on  the  South,  by  Weftmorekhd;  It  Was  not  formed  till  the  yekr 
1723;  When  it  wafi  t^aken/out  lif  the  laft-naentibned  p^iKh.  h 
contains  feverAl  riversy  but  ftone  of  them  remarkable,  fca/tely  any 
fifing  more  than  four  miles  from  the  coaft.  The  principal  head^ 
lands  ar^  North  Negril  and  Pedro  on  the  Weft,  and  Rioundhilt 
Bluff  on  the  North.;  Proceed iftg  from  Weftmoreland,  the  fitft 
(hiding-place  we  meet  with  is  OVaaige  Bay,  lyiftg  >^thiii  NoWfh* 
Negril,  a  capacious  rokd,  and  good  anchbrage.  'About  2f  leagufc 
North  from  this,  lies  Green  IflantI  Harbbur.^  But  the  chief  barf 
quadier  is  at  San£ta  Lucia  Harboui*,  about  ten  miles  further  on  the 
North  coaft.  Green  River  is  navigable  by  boats  upwards  of  two^ 
miles,  and  has  many  agreeable  nAeAnders,  affbrding  as  matiy  dtf2. 
ferent  profpefts.  Its  banks  are  cloathed'  dii  each  fide,.  dthcrwFth* 
groves  of  plantain,  banana,,  and  other  trees*  or  \vith  lugar^ne^,, 
to  within  about  half  a  mile  of  the  mouth^  where' tHebrcidtR- 
expands  to  fifty  feet  at  leaft ;  and  it  falls  over  a  little  fhailow  bar 
into  the  bay;  here  the  fides  are  rborafly,  and  have  rather  a  wild 
and  unpleafing^pearance. .  ^  Greeriinand  Harbour  arldOrahj^e  Buj^ 
arf  the  moft  teth.wferterii>rts  of  janiaic^i/  Th^'  fci-rrfeir  ^tiktS 

il8 


aoS,  --     J  .  A    M.  A    I    C    A. 

ixsaiatne  frojn.a  little  ifland  at  the  offing,  about  half  a  lesigue  di- 
ftant  from  the  main  land.  On  the  Weft  fide  of  the  harbour  is  a 
ftuall  h^.ttery  of  nine  guns,  fix-pounders,  to  guard  xlxc  entrance, 
andl  is  kept  in  excellent  order ;  but  if,  inftead  of  the  battery,  a  fort 
had  been  erefted  here,  inclofing  the  barrack,  a  garrifon  of  forty  or 
fifty  j»en  might  hinder  any  privateer,^ or  fmall  fhip  of  war,  from 
croffing  the  bar,  and  landing  their  crew  ;  but,  whilft  it  continues 
open  towards  the  Weft,  it  is.  liable  to  furprizes,  Befides  the  nine 
guns  mo|iintedat  the  battery,  there  are  two  more  at  a  diftance  from 
it,  n^ar  a  (mall  tavern,  where  the  main  battery  was  firft  intended ; 
and  eleven  embrazures  completely  built. 

North-eaft  from  this  harbour  is  another  fmall  tay,  cofnmodious 
enough  for  (hipping  ;  on  the  Weft  fide  of  which  is  a  ftrdng  hat- 
lery,  of  feventeen  or  eighteen  g^ns,  built  and  maintained  at  the 
private  expence  of  Mr.  J — s,  whole  eftate  lies  contiguous.  This 
battery  has  embrazures  for  twenty-one  guns;  and  thofe  already 
moutited  are  fix  and  nine-pounders.    . 

i  N^t'  far  fipfla  heii«Q.is  Qraogc  Cove,  near  Point  Pedro,  ajpart  of 
Hanoy0r,  beaptiful  beyond  deicription^  So  various,'  ib  piftyrefque^ 
wid. admirably  fine,  is  the  combinatioii  of  all  ^the  detail  which 
unites  in  fi>rming  this  landfchape;  and  th9  whole  fb  nicely  inteN 
woven  and  difpofed ;  that  it  feems  almo(l  impofilble  for  either 
painter  or  hiftorian  to^ive  any  thing  like  a  faithful  flcetch  of  it^ 
Here  has  nature  exerted  all  her  plaftic  powers^  in  laying  out  and 
^rraogipg  the  .  ground-wojk ;  and  art.  has  likew;ifc  put  forth  her 
whole  (kill,  in  vying  with  m  afllfting  her  in  the  machinery,  com*^ 
f^okdofja,  thoufand  decorations.  Wherever  the  pafling  eye  de* 
lights  to  wander,  it  meets  with  a  fuccefiion  of  objeds,  throughout 
^n  ext/^nt  pf  many  jQilesi,  equally  new,  ftriking,  and  lively.  la 
one  divifion  is  feen  ^  wide  plain,  richly  carpeted  with  canes  of  Jtlie 
/enierald  tint,  differently  (haded,  and  ftriped  with  fringes  of  log- 
wood,, or  pepguiji-fence,  or,  infte^d  of  this  border,  with  rills  of 
jcryftal  water..  In  another  rifes  a  high-fwelling  Jawh,  fniooth  and 
fertile,  whofe  gently-floping  bpfom  is  embellifhed  with  h^rds  and 
^ocks,  and  whofe  fummit  is  crowned  with  Negroe-villages,  or 
flutnps  pf ^  graceful  trees^  Here,  on  a  neighbouring  hill,  is  a  wind- 
xaiU  in  motipo  V  boiling-houfes,  and  other  plantation- buildings,  at 

'       -tfee 


BOOK    11.^     CHAP.    IX.  209 

the  foot:  there,  iii  the  various  duties  which  cultivation  excites, 
are  labourers,  cattle,  and  carriages ;  all  brifkly  employed.  In  ad^* 
dition  to  thefe  animated  fccncs  is  a  boundlefs  profpeft  of  the  lea, 
whiph  ikirts  the  diftant  horizon  towards  the  North ;  and,  on  the 
other  hand,  a  wood-capped  battlement  of  hills,  that  (hats  in  the 
Southern  view.  Delicious  as  the  .face  of  this  part  of  the  country  is, 
it  fcarcely  exceeds  in  beauty  the  profpeftof  Lucea  and  its  environs. 
The  harbour  at  the  entrance  is  half  a  mile  acrofs  ;  and,  continuing 
its  channel  for  about  one  mile  inland,  expands  at  once  into  a  cir- 
cular bafbn  of  nearly  the  fame  fpace  in  diameter  every  way;  the 
anchorin^-ground  every  where  good,  and  depth  of  waiter  from  four 
to  fix  fathom. 

The  town  is  iiKonfiderable,  confiftlng  only  of  one  large  ftreet, 
and  about  forty  or  fifty  fcattercdhoufes.  It  ftands  on  the  South- 
Weft  fide,  uj)on  a  fwampy  bottom ;  but  no  part  of  it  is  ieen  from 
the  road*,  until  it  is  aftually  entered.  The  land  behind  and  on  each 
fide  is  hilly ;  fo  that  the  view  from  it  is  only  open  towards  the 
water.  Two  or  three  rivulets  creep  through  it,  more  noifome  than 
the  antient  canal  of  Fleet-ditch.  At  the  bottom  of  the  harbour^ 
the  Eaft  and  Weft  Lucea  Rivers  difcharge  their  ftreams.  Though 
raifed  to  the  dignity  of  a  free  port,  its  trade  as  yet  is  not  very  ex^ 
tenfive.  The  number  of  veflels  which  enter  and  clear  here  may  be 
reckoned  at  about  fifty  to  fixty  fail  per  annum ;  but  the  harbour  is 
very  capable  of  receiving  three  hundred  top-fail  (hips  at  a  time, 
were  there  but  inducements  to  attraft  them.  During  the  laft  war, 
this  town  carried  on  a  very  adive  trade;  but  this  has  been  difcdu* 
raged  fince  by  captures  and  other  lofles ;  fo  that  at  pre(ent  it  is  far 
from  being  in  a  profperous  condition.  The  prefent  fituation  is  ill* 
chofen,  and  naturally  unadapted  for  healthful  refidence.  But  the 
port  is  conveniently  fituated  for  traffic  with  the  South- Weft  parts  of 
Cuba  ;  and,  enjoying  as  it  does  fo  fine  a  receptacle  for  (hipping,  it 
is  well  defervlng  of  the  public  patronage.  The  fort,  which  com- 
mands the  entrance,  ftands  on  the  Weftern  point,  a  fmall  penin- 
fula,  and  is  built  on  a  rock,  rifing  about  twenty  feet  above  the  level 
of  the  fea.  It  is  very  compleat  in  its  defences,  having  embrazures 
for  twenty-three  guns,  of  which  twenty  are  mounted  from  fix  to 
nine-pounders,  and  in  good  condition  for  fervice  ;  fo  that  it  is  ca- 
Vol.  IL  Ee  pable 


2IO  JAMAICA, 

pable  of  making  a  tolerable  refiftance.     The  barracks  for  fifty  men 
are  at  a  fmall  diftance  to  the  Southward.     Thefe,  like  the  others 
before-fpoken  of,  arc  leparated  only  by  a  boarded  partition,  foil  of 
holes,,  from  the  hofpital,  which  is  very  inconfiderately  placed  at  the 
windward-end;  fo  that  a  large  quantity  of  the   foul  putrid  air, 
proceeding  from  thofe  who  are  unhappily  affected  with  any  virulent 
or   epidemic  diftemper,  is  immediately  taken  into  the  lungs,  and 
refpired  by  thofe  who  are,  and  pj^obably  might  otherwife  long  con- 
tinue, in   found  health.     The  houfe  defigned  for  accommodation 
of  the  officers  is,  with  as  little  propriety,  eredled  to  leeward  of  the 
barracks,    kitchen,    and   other  neceflkry  offices;  whence  all   the 
foetid  effluvia,  that  reck  from  thefe  fources,.  are  wafted  upon  thofe 
who  are  flationed  here  in  garrifon.     A  want  of  proper  regulation 
i\\  thefe  particulars  is  but  too  common  in  moft  of  the  maritime   bar- 
racks throughout  the  ifland;  and  not  only  the  poor  foldiers,  but  the 
ifland   itfelf,    may  fufFer  greatly,    if  it   ffiould  not   be  remedied.. 
The.cixcumftsnce  has  been  overlooked  pfsrhaps,   as  generally  is  the 
eafe  in  thi&. country,  where  the  genuine  pareuts  of  ficknefs  are  not 
icxup^leufl-y  traced  out.     But  it  is  to  thi&  mif^aken   difpofition,  I 
,^m  perfuaded  to  believe,  that  the  unhealrhiuefs  of  the   garrifon,  at . 
^particular  times,  has  been  chiefly  owing;  for,  fuppofing  only  one 
or  two  men  to  lie  iick  in  the  hofpitad  of  a.  malignant  fever,    they 
may.  gontaminate  tlie  atraofphere  fo  much  in  twenty-four  hours,, 
a5  to  render  it  morbid  and  infeftious  to  the  healthy  who  are  lodged 
ia  a  fituation  to  be  fijfceptible  of  its  pernicious  efFe^ts.  This  misfor- 
tune actually  befel  thft  garrifon  in  1764,  compofed  entirely  of  men  -. 
newly-arrived  froo)  .Eyrope.     One  or  two  falling  lick   of  putrid 
fevers,  the  diibrder.  fpon  grew  epidemic     Thole    who   probably 
would  have  efcaped  (atleafl:  any  bad  fy mptoms)  if  they  could  have, 
breathed  a  refr,elhing   air,    were   poifoned  with  the  flench  of  the.: 
hpfpital  an4  offices;  and  feyeral  were  feized  with  fevers  of  an  apo- 
malous  kind,  which  fcldom  or  never  occur  unlefs  from  ibme  fuch  . 
pre*difpo(ing  caufe.     In  faft,  the  (icknefs  fpread  fo  rapidly,  that,, 
in  i^^  fhort  time,  hardly   ten  men  of  the  whole  company  were. able  ; 
tadoduty.     Errors  of  this  nature,  though  apparently  trivial  in  the  • 
opinion  of  many,  ought  not  to  be  flighted,  when  the  value  of  mens 
lives  comes    to  be. rated.      And,,  fincc  the  modern  discoveries  of 

1 '  learned 


B0  04P   fLj    CHAP,    IX.  ati 

learned  phyficians  have  ta«^ht4]sto<:onfider  a  vitiated  air  as  a  prin* 
cipal  agent  in  the  acvte  difeafes  mofl:  common  to  hot  climates^  the 
publick  of  the  ifland  iliduld,  as  far  as  poffibiie,  endeavour  to  alle- 
viate this  inclemency,  and  confult  the  pxefei^vation  of  health  and 
vigour  among  thefe  detachments  at  the  out- ports.  Good  feufe,  hti*- 
mianity,  and  a  regard  to  their  own  fecurity,  all  conlpire  to  enforce 
this  recommendation.  Situated  on  an  agreeable  fpot,  aiiout  half  a 
mile  from  the  tovvn,  4nd  near  the  fort,  is  the  church,  built  a  firwr 
years  iince  -by  the  pariAionfer^,  at  The  expence^of  yoooL  and  fap- 
wards.  It  is  a  plain,  neat  building  of  brick,  dcoemly  pe^wed,  and 
provided  with  every  convfei>ience  fuitable  to  the  good  purpofcs  for 
which  it  was  intendied,  except  bells,  though  the  Xcfivtv  is  capacious 
enough  to  hold  a  ring  bf  five  or  fix.  *  The  living,  perquifites  in*. 
ciudedj  is  efteemed  tvdrth  abbot  400/.^  cuirency*  On:  the  oppofite 
fide  of  the  harbour  is  the  Point  Plantation ;  diftingui(hcd  for  'tis  fine 
fituation,  commanding  the  town,  fort,  thcirch,  harbour,  (hipping^ 
and  a  diflant  view  continued  for  many  miles  over  rich  cane- fields 
and  a  country  moft  elegantly  diverfified ;  >  fo  that  few  parts  of  the 
ifland  preient  a  greater  afiemblage  of  delightful  objeds  in  one 
profpeA. 

Here,    as  well  as   at  Creenwich,   In   the   neighbourhood^  ^nd 

moft  of  the  frontier  plantations  near  the  North  coaft,  ate  ffndll 
batteries,  ereftied  at  thfc  private  expence  of  the  refpeSive  owners  of 
thofe  plantations,  which  In  time  of  war  iupply  the  want  of  king's 
fhips,  and  are  of  ufe  to  intimidate  the  privateers  from  landing,  t0 
carry  off  Negroes,  cattle,  and  other  moveables. 

The  face  of  this  parifh  is,  in  general,  hilly  ;  and,  towards  Weft- 
moreland,  it  is  flanked  with  that  ridge  of  mountains  commdh  to 
both,  't'he  air  is  efteemed  healthy,  and  will  be-  mbre  fo,- when 
greater  progrefs  is  riiadfe  in  cutting  down  its  woods;  the  Eaftera 
and  South-eaft  divifion  not  being  as  yet  occupied  with  any  fet- 
tlement. 

Lucea  has  a  cuftom-houfe,  under  dircdlion  of  a  colle?lor  and 
comptroller. 


Ee  2  Sum 


r 


fiKi2  JAMAICA. 

State  of  the  Parifli : 

Annual  Pfoduce. 
N^ioes.  Cattle.       Si^^ur-plantations.    |  Hoglbcads.  |    Other  SettkmeBit.. 

1734*    3339    ^774 
1740,    4863    2631 

i745»    6351    3054 

1761,   10498 

'768,       13571         8942  71  I    7500    I  35.    . 

Coniidering  Hanover  as  a  modern  parilh,  it  has  advanced  Am** 
prizingly,  and  contain?  more  fugar-works  than  fbme  of  three  tia^es 
the  extent!  which  is  a  fore. proof  of  the  fitnefs  of  the  foil  for  this 
cuhivation.  There  are  few  other  in  the  ifland  that,  in  the  fame 
time  (little  more  than  thirty  years),. can  boaft  of ;  having increafcd 
their  ftock  in  the  proportion  of. four  to  one;  wbich/is  adu ally  the 
fa^  in  refpefl:  to  Hanover ;  fo  that  it  bids  fair  to  vie  with  thofe 
cfteemed  the  richeft  in  Jamaica^ 

S  E  C  T.    IV. 
St.     J    A    M    E    S. 

THIS  partfh  is  bounded  pn  the  Eaft  by  Trelawnyj^  Weft, ^ by 
Hanover;  North,  bythefea;  Souths  by  St,  Elizabeth.  The  prin-r 
cipal  rivers  are  Great  River,  on  the  Weftern  boundary ;  Martha- 
brae,,  on  the  Eaftern;,  and  Montego,  which  falls  into  the  bay  of 
that  name.  Great  River  rifcs  in  the  furtheft  Southern  extremity 
of  the  parifli,  meandring  a  courfe  of  about  thirty  miles,,  and,  coU 
lefting  finnc  other  ftreams  in  its  way,  grows  pretty  large  where 
it  difembogujes  into  the  fea  at  the  Weft  angle  of  the  bay,  and  about 
iive  miles  from  the  town  of  Montego^  This  river  is  the  natural 
.boundary  between  this  parifli  and  Hanover ;  but,  although  it  is 
pretty  wide  at  its.  mouth,  and  penetrates  fo  coniiderabte  a  way  into 
the  couutry,  it  is  at  prcfent  not  navigable  above  three  or  four  miles^ 
and  that  only  for  boats  and  canoes^  At  the  mouth  it  k  crofted  by 
a  ferry. 

The  Montego  River  falls  into  the  Bay  about  three  quarters  of  a 

mile  Weft  from  the  town.     The  coaft  of  this  parifli  has  no  head- 

.land  of  any  note,  nor  any  harboutf  except  Montego;  but  this  i& 

very  fuflicieut.    The  extent  of  the  parifli  from  North  to  South 

being 


BOOK    m      CHAP.'  IX.  zis 

being  ncgr  twenty-four  milesy.  it  contains  of  courfe  a.  large  run  of 
unfettled  IatK]s>     The  iettlements  reach  between  thirteen  and  four- 
teen ipiles  back  from  the  fea  :  but  there  ]&r  a  fpace  fiill  behind  them^ 
of  one  hundred. thousand  acres,  or  upwards^  yet  uninhabited,,  ex^- 
cept  by  the  Maroon  N^oes,  of  Furry*s  and  Trelawny  Towns ; 
,who  polleffing  a  grant  of  fifteen  hundred,  acres,,  there  remain  abqut 
ninety-eight  thovifand  for  cultivation.     This  iiand  is  mountainous,, 
but  faid  to-be  inferior  to  none  ia  fertility;  and,  as  St^  James,  is  now 
become  thejnoft  thriving  diflridl  in  the  ifland^  fome  extenfioawili 
probably  be  mad?  ley^ry  year*    One  great  fource  of  this  fiourifhing 
ftate  has  been  tlie  rapid,  incceafe  of  the  tx)wiv  and  its  trade  from 
very  ;fmall  begitmings*  ;  It  contains  at   pre  fen t,   by  computation^ 
about  fQur   hundred  ho^f^S,  napflly  built .  of  brick,  and  fome   of 
them  irvhabited  by  opulent  merchants  j  one  of  whom  carried  on 
the  Guiney  branch  with  fo  much  futcefs,  as  to.  remit  bills,,  in  the 
ye*  J 77 If  to  Great,*- Britain,  for  near  50,000/.  ftcrliug,  on  account 
of  new •  Negroes  alone;  and,  as,  only  two  of  thefe  bills  (which 
werq  both  under  300/.)  w^re  protefted^  we  have,  in  this  inftance, 
the  flfongpfl.  indication-  p^oflible  of  the  happy  circumflances  en.- 
joyed  by  the  planters  in  this  part  of  the  country^    The  town,  fi.- 
tuated  in.  about  18°  30^  North  latitude,  flands-  on  the  North-eafl: 
fide  of  a^  fpacious  bay,  along  the  feet  of  a  range  of  moderately  hilly 
land,  which  fbmewhat  incommodes,  it  by  intercepting  the  bree;;^^ 
:The  flreets  are  laid  out  with  tolerable  exa£lnefs..    In  the  bay,  the 
.water  is  from  four  to  thirty  fathom:  the  channel  leading  into  it  is 
guardpd,  on  the  Eaft  and  Weft^  by  a  reef  and  funken  rocks ;  but 
liar  in  there  is  excellent  anchorage,  and  Eoom  for  a  larg?  fleet  of 
ihips.     On  the  South-weft  part  of  the  bay  is  a  clufter  of  little 
iflands,    covered  with  mangroves,  and  other  maritime  trees*.  ^Be- 
.yond  thefe  illands  is  another  fpacious  harbour,  but  of  no  ufe  at  prer 
iknt;  (ince  it  is  impoilible  for  any  veffel  of  burthen  to  fail  into  it;,. 
on  account  of  the  ihoaUwater  on  one  fide,  and  the  iflands  on  the 
other ;  though  it  is  affirmed,  that  a  pailhge  between  them  might 
be  opened  at  no  very  great  expence.     It  is  likewife  fuppofed  to  he 
defended  by  the  fort,  (fituated  about  half  a  mile  from,  the  town  to 
tlie  North-eaft,  ow  a  fmall   point  of  land),  which  mounts  fome 
guns,  and  may  be  occafionaliy  garrifoned  by  a  party  of  regulars, . 

for 


•s. 


*  ..... 

for  whofe  receptlxyn ''the  'panlhidirers  erefted  baf racks  eapable  of 
tiolding  but  hundred  men,  with  tSieir  officers.     As  tiie  fitaation  of 
thcfe  barracks  is  high,  and  on  A  rock  by  the'  harbour-fide,  they 
would  be  pleafant  and  healthy,  if  the  trees  and  bufhes,  tvhfch  are 
TufFered  to  grow  fb  luxuriantly  near  thena,  were  cot  down  ;  an4  if 
a  further  improvement  was  made  in  refpeft  to  the  acGotnmodafiond 
provided  for' the  officers,' which' are  very  inconveniently  placed. 
The  fort  i$,  or  lately  was,  Ina  ftateof  decay  ;  and  fcarcely  deferves 
to  be  rebuilt,  as  it  does  not>  from  its  fituation,  appear  to  have  been 
i ever  .capable  of  guarding  the  entrance  ;  fince,  at  the  fpot  where  it 
.now  ftands,  the  channel  is  (b  wide,  that  any  vfeflel  might  enter  the 
bay  without  danger  from  its  artillery,  and  afterwards  conrie  to  an- 
chor unmoleftcd.     The  guns  (tlevcn  in  number)  are  of  too  fmall 
a  dtt  to  range  a  fufficient  diftance,  and  (what  is  ftiU  worfe)  fo  ho^ 
ney-combed  and  ru ft- eaten,  and  fo  crazily  mounted,  as  to  make 
it  dangerous  to  fire  them ;    which  was-  fatally   experienced  by  a 
gunner,  who  was  (battered  to  pieces  on  letting  off  zfeudejoye  after 
the  furrender  of  the  Havannah  to  the  Englifli  forces.     Though  a 
more  eligible  fpot  may  be  appropriated  to  the  next  fort,  and  though 
the  prefent  is  not  worthy  to  be  rebuilt,  I  muft  take  leave  to  fay. 
that  thefe  ruins,  like  others  of  a  fimilar  kind  in  many  defencelefs 
parts  of  the  ifland,  have  happened  -chiefly  for  watit  of  a  trifling 
iiim  every  year  expended  in  neceffary  repairs,  and  particularly  the 
painting,  or  tarring,'  the  guns  and  their  carriages.     In  truth,  the 
fortifications  planted  about  the  harbour  of  Port  Royal  and  King- 
fton,  being  the  only  ones  which  receive  an  annual  vifitation  from 
the  commiffioners  of  forts  and  fortifications,  are  kept  in  better  re- 
pair than  any  other ;  and,  becaufe  there  was  a  time  when  no  other 
part  of  the  ifland  waS  fortified,  or  of  fo  much  importance  as  that 
diftrift,  it  is  therefore  ftill  the  cuftom  to  expend  the  whole  fortifi- 
cation-fund, and  feveral  thoufand  pounds  more  per  ttrmum^  upoti 
them  ;  while  others  at  the  out-ports  are  utterly  neglefted,  and  left 
to  be  kept  up  at  the  expence  of  private  perfons,  or  of  the  parifties 
in  which  they  have  been  erefted,  and  where  the  inhabitants  are 
glad,  on  every  convenient  occafion,  to  leflen  their  aflcflTments  as 
much  as  they  can,  and  perhaps  take  no  thought  about  their  forts 
^nd  batteries,  except  in  time  of  aftual  war.     This  proceeding  of 

the 


BOOK    H.  ;  CHAP.    1%  ^,5 

the  Icgiflative  branches  ie  mvicb  ehf  fame  a8  if  a  mair,  by  clapping 
a  helmet  upon  his  head,  thoqld  tbink  hioifelf  perfedly  inv^lne* 
rable,  though  all  the  reft  of  his  body  remains  expofed.  But,  in 
order  to  maintain  thefe  defences  along  the.  coaft,  which  are  necef« 
fiiry^  not  only:  tb-  fucb  pariflies,  but  to  the  whole  ifland ;  the  af- 
fembly,  we  may;.  venturjS  to  thijilc,  might  every  year  call  for  an 
«KaA  and  faithful  report  of  their  condition  ;  and,  if  no  portion  can 
be  fparcd  out:o^  the  fbrtififatioa^fvind^  the  juftices  and  veftry  might 
at  leaft  be  obligcd,c  in  the  ;nore  opulent  of  thefe  pari(hes,  to  raife  a  ^ 
fmall  annual  fnan  by  fome  eafy  and  peirmaneot  mode,  which  fhould 
conftitute  a^fond. tor.  be  applied  fotely  to  the  repair  of  their  refpec-^- 
tive  fortifications. 

Thefe  fentimenta  atife  from  cpnfidering  the  improved  ftate  of  ^ 
MontegoiBay ;  the:  vaft'  value  of  its  trade ;    its   buildings,  rents, , 
goods,  and  (hipping.;  the^  opulence  which  is  likely  to  centre  in  it; ; 
and  the  hazard  to  which  all  thefe  may  become  expofed^   on  any 
fttdden  revival  of  war^  .from the  attacks;  of  a  few  daring  privateers. 
As  it  is  now,  with  juftice,  deemed  the  emporium  of  the  Weftern 
part  of  the  ifland,  it  certainly  merits  to  be«  well  guarded,  and  in- 
deed feems  entitled  to  coriie  in  for  a  yearly  (hare  of  the  public  * 
money,  which  hitherto  has  been  partially  laviChed  upon  the  en- 
virons of  one  principal  port,  as  if  they  were  the  only  quarters 
which  an  enemy  conld  attempt,  or  that  were  worthy  of  the  public 

defence.  :  > 

MontegoBay,  in  th?  opinion  of  the  beft  judges,  is  growing  very 

faft  into  a  place  of  fo  much  copfequence  atid  wealth,  that)  in  the 
eveotrbf  arwar,  it  will:  be  a.capital  negledt  of  government,  fhould 
it  be  left  unprotcded  by  a  ftrong  foit,..or  one  or  two  men  of  war 
for^ard^{hips4 

Theihipping  of  ev^jry  kind,  that  enter  and  clear  at  this  port,  are^. 
one  year.  withi:anoH>er,  alsout  140  in}  per  annum,  and  continually 
on  the  inerealib ;  as  it  not  only  lies  fo  cammodious  for  foreign  trade, 
butiemploys  near  al>out  eleven  tlioufaud  tons  for  the  procUifts  of  the 
adjajceut  diftriiSl;  this  being  th?  great  mart  for  fupplying  it  with 
!  Negroes  and,  other  ncceflaries,  that-  formerly  uled  to  be  bought  at 
KajTgfljQu*  which  has  therefore  fuflcrM  a  fevere  blow  from  this  new 
eflabliihment.      For  the, like    ctafon,  among  otheis,  the  town  of 

Lucea 


2x6  J    AM    A    1    C    A.  ' 

Lucea  has  made  Co  little  progrefs ;  the  chief  trade  and  bufinefs  for 
the  Northern  leeward  part  of  the  ifland  being  engnofled  and  cdn- 
centered  atMontego, 

The  eftablifliment  of  a  trading  town  neoeflarily  attrafts  artificers 
in  various  branches,  and  other  numerous  depervdents^  •  Hence  a 
great  convenience  xefults  to  the-fetdefs  around  in  the  country-parts, 
from  the  eafy  method  by  which  they  can  accommodate  themfelves 
with  what  they  want.  But  a  far  greater  advantage  accrues  to  them 
from  the  yearly  confumption  of  their  products  in  fuch  a  town, 
which  gives  birth  and  fupport  to  a  multitude  of  petty  fettlements 
for  cultivating  provifions  of  different .  forts  to  anfwer  that  con- 
fumption. Such  a  town  muft  therefore  add  confiderably  to  the 
population  of  the  country ;  and  itfelf  derive  a  reciprocal  profit  from 
the  fale  of  goods  to,  and  tranfa^ion  of  bufinefs  for,  the  more  opu- 
lent plantations,  which  furnifli  ftaple  or  exportable  commodities; 
and  this  profit  will  be  large  and  durable  in  proportion  to  the  fertility 
of  the  neighbouring  foil.  Now,  the  lands  in  this  pari(h  being  very 
produftive,  and  fo  many  thoufand  acres  ftill  remaining  to  be  here* 
after  gradually  employed,  here  feems  to  be  a  morally  certain  pro- 
fpeft,  that  this  town,  being  conftituted  upon  the  moft  permanent 
fupports,  can  never  decline  fo  long  as  the  flaple  produfts  of  the 
ifland  are  worth  any  thing  at  the  home-market.    . 

I  have  elfewhere  taken  notice  of  the  rapid  augmentation  of  ftt- 
tlements  in  this  part  of  the  country  of  late  years  ;  which  is  really 
amazing,  and  will  (6  appear  from  the  comparative  table,  that,  like 
the  foregoing,  is  brought  down  no  lower  than  the  year  1768  :  but 
I  am  well  informed,  that  at  leaft  twenty  or  more  fugar- works  may 
be  added  to  the  lift  at  the  preient  time. 

Behind  the  town,  to  the  Southward,  is  a  long  range  of  uncul* 
livatcd  mountains,  clad,  like  moft  others  in  this  country,  with 
lofty  trees-  The  road  which  crofles  this  to  Montpelier  is  excellently 
conftrufted,  and  opens  an  avenue  into  a  vale  behind,  containing 
many  thoufand  acres  of  rich  foil,  a  fmall  part  of  which  only  is  at 
prefent  brought  into  culture.  But,  as  improvements  are  moving 
on  here  at  a  furprizing  rate,  there  is  good  reafon  to  believe,  that 
the  whole  of  this  fine  trad  will,  in  a  few  years,  be  overfpread 

3  '  with 


I 


BO  OK  III..     G  H  A  P. :   IX-  217^ 

with  canesy  and  make  a  prodigfous  addition  to  the  exports  and  im- 
ports of  this  pari(h. 

•  The  land  towards  the.Eaftern  diftrift  of  it  is  of  a  reddifli  caft» 
and  Angularly  porous  quality,  lying  on  a  clayey  fubftrate,  ex- 
cellently well  adapted  to  the  fugar-cane.  '  Towards  the  Weftern 
parts  it  has  more  of  the  loamy  foil,  but  not  much  lefs  fertile.  The 
produce  of  lands  here  in  general  is  really  amazing.  I  have  been 
told  the  following  anecdote  in  confirmation  of  this  remark.  A 
pcrfon  rented  a  tra<9:  from  the  proprietor  on  a  leafe  of  eleven  years, 
conditioned  to  furrender  it  back,  at  the  expiration  of  the  term, 
cocbpleatiy  planted  with  canes,  &cj  and  fumiflied  with  proper 
works*  But,  before  the  term  expired,  the  leffee  is  faid  to  have 
gained  by  the  bargain  a  clear  profit  of  30,000/.  Others^  from  the 
very  meahefl:  and  fmallefl:  beginnings  here,  have  acquired  very 
latge  fortunes.  It  is  related  for  a  fa£t,  that  a  poor  man  and  his 
wife,  pofleiling  a  grant  of  a  fmall  parcel  of  land,  planted  fome  part 
of  it  in  canes  with  the  labour  of  their  own  hands.  From  theie^ 
whien  th^  were  ripened,  they  made  fliift  to  exprefs  the  juicet 
which  they  boiled  in  an  Qld  cauldron,  and  mauufadured  a  little 
fugar,  with  which  they  went  to  market.  By  degrees,  and  the 
inceflant  application  of  their  induftj^,  they  augmented  thdr  pro* 
duce,  till  they  gained  fuificient  to  purchafe  a  Negroe.  .  By  the  &me 
means,  they  ihcreafed  their  labourers,  and  the  importance  of  their 
cftate ;  till,  at  length,  they  became  proprietors  of  a  valuable  iu^r- 
work,  which  is  now  enjoyed  by  the  furvivor,  and  by  the  moft  ho- 
nourable title. 

It  is  impoflible  to  particularize  the  various  natural  produfliont 
of  this  parifli,  fo  fmall  afeftion  of  it  being  as  yet  laid  open  to  view; 
l>ut,  from  what  has  hitherto  been  difcovered,  it  is  wanting  in  n« 
article  conducive  to  the  pleafureand  convenience  of  the  inhabitants. 
In  moft  parts  it  abounds  with  excellent  ftone  both  for  lime  and 
building;  and  in  fome,  as  about  the  neighbourhood  of  Montpelier, 
what  is  obtained  from  the  quarry,  refembles  tJiat  of  St.  Anne  be- 
fore-defcribed,  whofe  texture,  when  firft  dug,  isfo  foft  as  to  be 
eafily  worked  with  the  faw,  or  the  chiffel.  it  remains,  for  it6  fur*: 
ther  better  population,  to  form  two  good  roads  of  communication^ 
one  leading  into  Weftmoreland,  the  other  to  St.  Elizabeth's.  The 
former  is  at  prefait  well  attended  to  ;  but  the  latter,  by  the  way 


aia  J    A   M    A.  I    C    A. 

of  Chefierfield^  has. been. tbougiit ilt  cooilruftcdf . and  iuconv^oie^ 
on  other  accounts,  as  It  pafTes  over  a  great  deal  q£  boggy  land,  and 
very  fteep  hills*  It  has  therefore  been  propofed  to  lead  the  road 
fioni  Montego  Bay,  through  Sprhig- mount  eftate,  into  Hardyman's 
pcnn;  thence  to  Ellerflea  plantation,  to  Naffau,  the,. centre  aud 
mod  thriving  part  of  St.  Elizabeth*  It  is  faid^  that  the  laod^ 
through  which  this  road  v^ould  go,  abounds  i0  fine  materials  to 
render  it  firm  and  durable;  that  it  could  be  qiade  fit  for  carriag^es 
from  the  bay  to  Ellerflea  for  1600/.  and  would  be  the  beft  way  for 
travelers  from  Hanover  and  St.  James  to  go  to  Spanish  Town,  bei^ 
bnjy  a  day^s  ride,  or  fixty  miles  extent,  over  level  grounds,  frojnSpdi' 
ntih  Town  to  NaiTau,  and  thirty^fix  from  thence  to  Montego  Bay ;  ia 
all  ninety-fix :  finally,  that,  by  opening  fo  eafy  an  intercoucie  between 
the  feat  of  government  and  the  Weftem  parts  of  the  ifland,  now 
advanced  into  {o  flourifhing  a  ilate,  a  multitude  of  conveniences  and 
benefits  might  be  expelled  to  refult  to  the  whole  ifland ;  of  v^hiab 
latter  pofition  there  can  be  no  doubt,,  if  th6  £btmet  onea  aiie  r$ 
{>ra6:icable  as  they  appear  plaiifible ;  fince  a  commercidl  iflaindi  ]ils» 
the  human  body,  will  always  enjoy  the  beft  h<jdlth  ^t^d  moft 
a^ve  vigour,  when  the  circulation  is  carried  on,  freely*  and  witb-^ 
out  .impediment,  from  the  heart  to  tjofi  eictiienMties, .  and  baok  a^ain 
fronl  tbefe  to  the  heart.  /      , 

As  St  James  was  but  recently  dividbd  init6  t?^  pa^iOies,  I  ami 
obliged  in  the  table  to  coofider  it  as  ftill  indifliod,  to  qiake  the  de-» 
tail  comply  with  the  former  edimatest  however^  I  (hall  endeavour 
alfo  to  form  another  ftate  of  the  number  of  Negroes  and  cattle  <ioa- 
tained  in  it,  as  diftinft  from  Trtlawny.. 

State  of  the  Pariih;^ 

Annual  Produce. 
Sugar*workB.. 


N^oes. 
2297 

2588 

4907 
14729 

21749 


Cattle. 
1099 

1204 

1961 


I,  HdgAi«ids.   I    Otb«r  Settlements. 


»734» 
1740, 

1761, 
1^68, 

7768»  Proportion^ 

diUduSt    from 

Trckwny    by 

coroputaMOQf    J 
Increafe,  in  twen-  "v 

ty-tbiee  yeais,  >    1^842    1317^ 

about      —  -' 


about  20 


>    IQOIO 


'V37 
7007 


95     [ 


55 


75 


250a 


I  tOOQ 


308a 


85OQ 


14- 


lOZ 


3^ 


7« 


The 


BOOK    II.       CHAP.    IX-  ^jj 

The  progrefa  tiiierefore  of?  this  parifli,  for  the  time,  e3cceed3,that 
of  any  other  in  the  ifland;  and  at  prefeni;  it  take$  the  lead  of  alL 
the  aiinual  produce  of  fugar  being  at  leaft  twelve  or  fourtcea  tfiou* 
fand  hbgflieads. 

-  The  hills  in  general  near  the  coaft,  and  to  fotac  diftance  from 
rt,  are  rocky,  but  bear  good  provifion^.  The  canes  are  planted  in 
the  glades  and  richer  patches,  and  yield  a  very  excellent  fugar^ 
^'  This,  being  the  mod  Northern  part  of  thj^  ifland,  and  full  of  rifing 
grounds,  enjoys  an  healthy  air,  and  promifes  long  life  to, the  inte- 
rior fcttlers,  who  increafe  very  faft.  The  floweft  progrefs  fceras  to 
be  made  in  the  gaftern  and  Southerp  djvifion^,  which  are  over* 
fpread  with  r^ges  of  mpuntair^^  f«miring  nothing  hut  good  roads 
to  promote  their  feUle^Mnjt.  On  this,  fobjeft  I  may  be  thought^ 
perhaps,  to  hive,  expatiated  fuffi^iently.  I  (hall  only  further  ob- 
ferve,  that,  nature  having  in  this  and  other  parts  of  the  ifland 
walled-in  many  of  the  richefl:  fpots  in  the  world,  it  remains  for 
the  legiflature  to  make  them  acceflible,  by  opening  a  paflage  for 
thofe  induflrious  fubje£ts  who  are  willing  to  labour  the  foil,  if  they 
were  but  as  able  to  get  at  it;  and  in  no  part  of  the  ifland  will  fuch 
afliftance  turn  more  beneficially  To  the  public  account  than  in  thi« 
pariOi. 

In  the  town  is  a  cufl:om«houie,  under  the  dire£):ion  of  a  colle^lor 
and  comptroller,  deputy  naval-of&cer,  receiver-general,  and  fecic* 
tary.  The  redor^s  ftipend  is  zoo L per  annum;  but,  confldering 
the  extent  and  populouiiiefs  of  the  parifii,  his  iucpme  cannot  be 
eflimated  at  lefs  than  700 A  A  printing-prefs  has  lately  been  let 
up  here,  furniflied  with  a  very  beautiful  type,  and  gives  birth  to  a 
weekly  paper  of  inteUigfincd.  There  feems  a  flruggle  between 
this  town  and  Savannah  la  Mar.  for  theafbendency,  feme  what  Si- 
milar to  what  has  happened  between  Spanifli  Town  and  Kingflon  i 
but  the  oftenfible  obje£t  of  difpute  is  different^  Savannah  la  Mar 
having  declined  in  proportion  as  Montego  Town  has  increafed^  the 
latter,  being  far  more  populous,  and  more  thriving  in  its  trade,  be- 
<:ame  defirous  of  having  the  ainze«*Q0urt  alternately  held.  This 
perhaps  was  considered,  by  the  partizans  of  the  elder  fifter,  as  a 
firft  flep  towards  removing  the  feat  of  jufliice,  and  tran^err^ig  it 
wholly  to  Montego  Bay«    It  was  oppofed  with  ^reat  warmth  ;  and 

F  f  a  the 


t2b  JAMAICA.. 

the  rights  of  fenioritjr  prevailed.  But  it  is  probable,  that  as  the  Bu- 
finefs  of  the  court  muft  be  in  proportion  to  the  number  and  opu- 
lence of  the  inhabitants,  fb  this  claim  of  feniority  will  yield  ia 
the  end  to  the  conveniency  of  the  people  of  Montego  and  Tre- 
lawny;  at  leaft  fo  far  as  to  eflablifh  an  alternate  court,  as  firft  pro- 
pofed :  by  which  means,  the  eafe  of  trade  may  be  confulted  in^  the 
lead  partial  manner,  and  the  new  eftablifiiment  be  reafonably  fa- 
voured, without  ruining  the  older  one. 

It  is  a  juflr  remark  of  Dr.  Browne,  that  thofe  towns,  which, 
fince  the  decay  of  the  Spanifh  trade,  have  been  fupported  chiefly  by 
fVanding  courts  and  the  calamities  of  the  people,  are  rather  a  pr^ 
judice  than  an  emoKiment  to  the  community;  while  they  harbour 
fo  many  dependents  in^  idlenefs  at  the*  expence  of  the*  iaduftrious^ 
who  might  have  proved  very  ferviceable  menjbers^  had  they  been 
diftributcd  about  the  ifland,  and  their  thoughts  tUrtrtd  mote  upoa. 
the  advancement  than  the  diftreffiug  of  fetllements.       .      ! 

S  EC^T.  -v,.         ■ .  .:■..      :";,':t 

'     T  R  E  L  AWW  Y./  ''  ■     ••■•■•'.     •' 

PROCEEDING  from.St.  James  to  Trelawny,  the  road  liesj 
for  the  mod  part,  along  the  coaft,.wicbbiitv  Having  any  objed::  mbrer 
pleafing  to  the  eye  than,  on  one  fide,'  a  prcrfpeft'of  ttiejfea,  and  .'cm 
the  other  a  chain  of  ih^gy  mountains,  which  run  along  the  North 
fide  of  the  ifland  ii>one  aimed  uninterrupted  ranged  except'  where 
they  are  indented  by  creeks  and  bays,  and  cleft  a&  it  were  by  riverSi 
In  fome  other  parts  aire  alfb  recedes,  affording  room  for  plantations 
and  pafture^grounds ;  but,  in- general^  theinibil  is  good.;. ^nd  fuch 
of  them  as  are  cultivated,  produce  here,  as'oD  the 'Sooth  i£de,  great 
plenty  of  corn,  plantains,  coffee,  pimento,  yanab,.  cafiada^  and 
moft  other  forts  of  Weft-India  provifionsy  as  well  as  many  kindfe 
of  European  vegetables.  But  although,  towards  the  Eaft,  the  bilis 
feem  retired  further  from  the  fea  th^n  in  the  Wcftern  pa^ts  of  St 
James,'  there  are  few  diftriftS'Of  Jamaica  of  a  mooe  wild  and  bai> 
barous  afpe£l  than  the  ti^d:  which  Jiies  to  ilie  Eaftward  of  Long- 
Bay,  till  the  cultivated  parts  iof .  Trclawiiy  c^u!  to  view.  .This 
iiewly- baptized  parifh  is^  divided  from  3t  Jamies  on  tlic  Weft  hy  a 

Nortlx 


.s 


-    it 


BOOK     IL    CHA^R    IX:  221     m^ 

BldrtH  and  "South  Ibe,   mtcriefting  New  Caown  eftat^ ^  frppi  St. 
AnneoQ  the  Bafit;  by  the  Rio  Bueno;  on  the  North  it  is  bounded 
by  the  Sea  rand  r  Southerly  by  St.  Elisabeth  ^    Its  capital   river  is 
the  Marthabrao,  whicia  -  takes  its :  .fource  among  the   mountains, 
a|;>6ut«  twelve  miles  diftarice.  fr<>m  the  coaft,  as  commonly  fuppofed ; . 
for,  there  being' no  fettletnentnear  the  fpring-bead,.  it  is;  not  cxa<3iy. 
known.  >  It  Jferpentines  through  a  courfe  of  about  tli^rty  miles  be-p- 
fore  it  reaches  the  harbour;  from. whence. it  is  navigable  by  canoes 
and  boats^  for  fome  miles,  to  the,  bridge.     'The  depth  of  its  water 
is  fufficient  fot^nuch  larger veflbls,  excepj:  at  the  p^outh,  •  where  a 
bar,  occafioned  by  the iht^d  difgorged  froni  the.il ream,'  and  repelled* 
by  thft  tidp^.  .obftruifts  the  navigation..  ,  The  .village,  of  Marthabrao 
ilanda  about;  two  nriles  ^bQvetl^mouthj,;  op  a  rifiug  ground  not  far 
from  the  bridge,  and  confids  pf  about   thirty  houfes  or  more ;  as 
the  late  partition  of  St.  Jjiraes  has  of  confequenge  tended  to  the  eda* 
hlifliment  of  a,b«w  to^vft  bef^^  vwhich  mjty^ojwin  fizp  in  pr<>pQr* 
tion  as  the  lands,  at  prefent  iiqf^ttled  in  thp.  piirifli,^  are  brou^fioto^ 
culture.     The,  river  wJbfich  gli4^.6  by  it  abounds'  with  fifh  of,  yayiqps  • 
lands ;  and  the  cpfirfe;  fa  delightfully  twining^ !  that  it)»  banks  might 
belaid  out  in  gardens, ,  with  a  view  to  pleafure,  as  well  as.  utility, 
which  is  an  additional  circumftaiv:eia.ftkvo^r  of  thc:town,'iS  increafi?. 
The  harbour  is  defended  by  j^j  foaall    fort,  plated  on  Point  Ma©— 
grove,  which  pxC^&s  i|itp.the  fea'on  )Lhe  We|l  fide.     The^  oi\\y 
fault  in  its  ftru<Slure  fepco?  tabe  jhe  n^rrpwnefsi  of  tl)C:g^xg^s,pf  tjje 
baAioils,  and  of  the.  ba(^^ns  the^mieives ; .  in .  which  the  guns  capqot 
traverfe  fo  freely  as^heyjO^igt^j.  J^The  fppt  whereoa  it  ftandsj,iand 
ail  around  it,  being;  altogether.  fwSjflipy, ,  there  is  reaibn.to  f«ipe<9: 
that  without  drainiag,,thefe  g \|art«8; , w iJ J  not. Ipc. very  healthy*!  Jj[i 
other  refpedts  thi^fqrtj-efsii^  well'/ituj^ted  fo^i&^^r-^Hpg  the  entrange, 
or  channel^  whicliiruft^  at  rigbt  angljsf  to  it,  ^^Q^%  North-Eaft ;  n^r-- 
row,  a*id  hemmediuby  reefs  ajid  fttjfarls  on  either  fide,  for  near  ^ 
mile.     ThebarraQksj^|pF:U*e.accoma3i(>d^ipn  of. QCte  hundred  mpa* 
and  officers,  are  ata  fmall  diftance.^  *    ^«..  >  *  .     .  -*...* 

The  harbDui:i5^oVemd,-!Ji)wards,tl)e!  E^ft  and,Nortl^TEaft,  by  a« 
femicircular^fwcepbf.the'  maiiii  fei^d^pQ^that  ,fi|de^  and  by  a  fmall*' 
ifland;  fo.thac:  witU«.*t:  is  ,nQt.q«ilyj,cap^cipup,,  but;  w/;lli^^ 
ffomthefeadi.         *,:  f  ,•  •..  .'  •  j-'      ..    .    , 

Th«: 


±22  J    A    m:»  A'  I   C    A- 

The  country  hereabouts,   for  a  few  miles,  is  Well  cultivated; 
but,' feme   miles  further  to  the  EaftWard,  ir  ftilL  wears  a  favagfc 
alpc£l,  though  by  no  means  tinfufceptible  of  great  improvetpents, 
and  valuable  plantations.     In  the  EafterntnoA  part  is  a  fucc^on  of 
fine  pimento  walks, '  which  continue,  with  little  interruption,  b^* 
yond  Rio  Bueno,  the  boundary  between  Trelawtty  and  St.  Ani^ 
and  through  a  confideraWe   extern  of  the   laft-mentibned  .  parifh. 
The  beauty  of  thefe  fpicy  groves,  which  are  likewife  interfperftd 
with  the  orange,  limon,  flar-apple,  avogato-pear,  wild  citinaciiou, 
and  other  favourite  treesi  anKwig  which  fomfe  'Impotuckis  river  rolls 
Its  foaming  flood,  or  babbling  rivulet,  gently  trails  along  in  glitter^ 
ing  meanders,  ftirniflics  a  fubjeft  woi-thy  fome  darling  of  the  Mufesi. 
Even  paradife  itfelf,  defcribedby  the  pen   of  Milton,  exhibits  but 
a  faint  reprefentation  of  them,  when  he  fays, 
•«  Whofe  rich  trees  wept  odorous  gums  and  balm* 
**  Others,  whofe  fruit,  bufnifliMwith  golden  rind,       - 
*•  Hun^  amiable — ^Hefperian  fobles  true*.-— - 
**'  If  ^trut  j  here  only ;  and' of  delicioub  tafte.  ' 

"  Betwixt  them  la\vns  or  level  downs,  and  fiocka   - 
'  **  Grazing  the  tender  herb,  were  mterposM ; 
^Or  palmy  hillock.     Or  the  flow'ry  lap 
'  •*  Of  fome  irriguous  vaBey  fprearf  her  fibre,  • 
<f  Flowers  of  all  hue,  and  whhout  thorn  the  rofc* 
^  Another  fide,  umbrageous  grots  and  caves 
^  Of  cocA  recels.     Mean  'while,  the  murmVing  waters  faff 
•*  Down  yon  flope  hill,  difpers^d^  or  in  a  lake 
<«  That  td  the  frhiged  bank,  with  myrtle  crown'd, 
^  Her  cry ftal  mirror  holds,  unfte  their  ftreaxns. 
'*<  The  birds  their  choir  apply.     Airs,  vernal  airs, 
'^<  Breathing!  the  fmcllof  field  and  grove,  attune 
•«  The  trembling  leaves.     While  univerfal  Pan, 
<^  Knit  with  the  Graces  and  the  Hours  in  dance, 
<*  Led  on  th'  eternal  fpring.'* 
The  pariftr  extends  abolit  fifteen  miles  in  depth,  and  is  fettl&d, 
but  imperfe6Wyi  to  the  diftftnce  of  fix  miles;  only  from  the  fea.     A 
fpace  remains*  behind  of  eighty  thoufand  acres,  and  upwards,  un- 
inhabited; and  concerning  which  we  know  nothing  more  at.  pre- 
I  lent. 


BOOk^  iL     CllAP.    IX.  222 

feiif,  except  that  it  is  very  nrountainoirs,  no  public  road  being  tra- 
«rfed  as  yet  through  any^  pirt  of  it ;  fb  that  It  is  almoft  as  much 
an  undifcovered  country,  as  the  regions  bordering  on  the  South 
pole,  ^ut  fo  large  k  trail: .  contains,  probably,  valuable  timbers^ 
rich  veins  of  fciU  and  a  variety  of  other  ftores  of  wealth  and 
curiofity. 

It  may  be  proper^  as  my  Iketch  of  the  different  parities'  {» 
drawing. near  to  a  clofe,  that  I  fhould  here  recapitulate  the  feveral 
parcels  of  fuppofed  cultivated  land,  which  have  been  noticed  to  lie 
ki  wildernefs,  and  without  an  inhabitant*. 

,Acre&..  Morafs- 

Middlefex,  /^^^^^"  S^-  ^""*  ^"^  C^^- 1 1 8o^oo»  of  which  • 

t       rendon,  about > 

{St.  Thomas  in  the  Eaft, — \ 
Portland,^  — «- -^-^  w ^3,000  -i-    ■  8oo« 

St, George,.— -r^  —J. 

f  St.  Elizabeth^ 
Weftmocebnd^    — .»  ^  x 

o     T  > 254,00a   — .  20,000 

ot«  Jamcs^ 


^Trdawfiy,  j:^ 


597^ooo  34>^o 

^^clufive  of  t^e  lar^e  yacaiit  trzO^s  in  all  the  other  pariflies,  which, 
if  the  c6mp\itftti9P  I  made  in  treating  upon  this  fubjeft  be  near  the 
truths  amouijtto.  r>753»ooo  aicres  of  plantable  or. pyltivable  acres 
colore.  But,,  if  the  amount  in  all  wag  only  one  million,  I  .may 
fiirely  hope  ta  be  juftified  in  the  propofitions  which  I  have  offered, 
tending  to  fliew  the  expediency  of  forming  roads,  and  of  intro- 
ducing fettkrs,  ^where  fo  vaft  a  Ipace  remains  unoccupied;  as  well 
as  in  the  happy  confeq^uences  I  have  deduced  as  neceflarily  attendant 
upon  the  execution  of  a  liberal  plaa  of  improvement ;  whether  con;- 
£dered  with  refpedl  to  the  ftrength,.  the  trade,  the  opulence^  ^ndi 
falubrity,  of  the  ifhud^  or  to  the  exteniion  of  the  commerce,  ma^ 
mifadtures,  navigation^  and  profits,  of  Great-Britain*. 

Gonfiftent  with  the  preceding,  order^  I  (hall  j)ow  give  ar  ftate  of 
this  pari(h  for  1 7^8,  jM-gportioned  to  the  other  div^fionof  St%  James,, 
iirom  which  it  -was  fo^  lately  fc  vejed 

.  .  Aonatt  Produce'. 

Negrcd^.'         CfMtle.        Sughft*-plaiitatloxK»       Hogfheads.        Other  Set^bmcnts». 

1,768^      1^^739^        ^^35^  4P  %9^<^^  66 


224  J  /A    M    A    I    G    A. 

This  i^  riot  to  be  deemed  the  prefent  (late,  becaufe  the  ftodk  aafl 
produce  may  well  be  fuppofed  to  have  been  codftantly  increafing 
«ver  fince  the  year  mentioned.  I  have  therefore  only^  fubrtiitted  this 
fcheme  for  the  fake  of  preferving  uniformity,  agreeably  to  my'firft 
defigu  of  brmglng  the  pro^refs  of  the  feveral  pariflies  down  to 
1768;  beyond  which,  I  have  iiOt  teen  able  to  obtain  any  verjr 
cjca£t  calculation.  ^ 

General.State  of  the  County  oF  Cornwjtli. 

County-town,  iJavannah  la  Mar,  where  the  Affizes  are  held  in  the 

montlis  of  .Mai:ch,  June,  September,  ,and  December. 

Annua)  Produce. 
'Negroes.  Cattle.       ^Sugar-plaotations.      Hogihearls.         Other  Settlemena. 

:6o6i'6  .    54776  2I66  29100  383 

Rcftories  arid  Stipends. 

£    '•  «^- 
-  ^t.-Elizaheth,    ■  '■  ■  ■         -  i^oo  o  o 

Weftmoreland,-  -^  250  00 

,Hanover,       ■    ,    ■    •  •  ♦  «oo  00 

^l^.-Jfa^^es,    >^  '  -"■-  ■  ■  '2q'o  00 

Trelawny,  *  *—  ^00  o  .0  . 

I  I  m 

jT  1050  o  o 
Churches,  2; — Chapels,  2; — Synagogue,  o. 
proin  hence  will  appear,    that   this  county,  though  poffefiing 
.fiewer  Negroes  and  cattle  than  Middlefex,    is  ncverthelefs    more 
j)rodu6liYe.     This  may  be  afcribed  to  the  greater  freflinefs  cff  the 
land  in  general ;  to  the  greater  quantity  of  feafonable  rains,  arid  of 
cane-land,   fituat;ed    more   conveniently  with  refpeft   to  fliipping- 
;places.     The  North  fide  parifhes  labour  under  the  inconvienience  of 
late  crops,  high  infurance,  a  voyage  homewards  iii  the  moft  dan- 
gerous feafon  of  the  year,  and  a  high  freight  to  the  King{k)ri  mar- 
ket.    All  thefe  are  attended  with  double  charge  in  war-time.     Not- 
withflanding  thefe  obftacles,  we  find  that  moft  of  them  are  in   a 
flouriihing  condition.     The  pariflies  of  St.  George  and  Portland 
ieem  to  be  the  only  exceptions.     The  quantity  of  fugar  produced 
in  both  of  them  together  is  not  equal  to  the  ha!f  of  what  is   made 
in  St.  Mary*s.    There  are  natural  diflSculties  with  which  the  fettlers 
in  them  have  to  ftruggle.     To  thefe  are  added  the  others  before-re- 
cited, to  which  the  reft  are  liabk  in  common.    Perhaps  a  bounty 

.of 


B;OOK    U.    iCHAf.     IX.  ai5 

of-  Jwenty  lhilli»gs  per  hog^bead.might  be  Ibi^  «ncDviragecri«ot  to 
the  fefibkr  fettlers ; .  it  woujd  at  kaiJ  enable  them  to  carry  their  fu- 
gars  to  the  Kingflon  market  freight-frca ;  for  it  is  not  the  lealT:  of 
the  misfortunes  atti?nd?tot  upon  their  fitugtiou,  that  they  are  obliged 
to  p?y  nearly  thric^^s-  muqh,  for  the  tranfporl  of  ,a  hogfbead  of 
fugaF  tp  that  mark/et,  asa  (Jjipp^r^  PW  Harbour  on  Jthe  South' 
fide.  3ut  the  prelTure  of  this  tax  "will  appear  in  a  moreconipicuous 
^ght  firpm  the  following  table  of  • 

WATER-CARRIAGE  from  Kingston  to  the  OpT-PoRTs. 


Out-portSi 


Old  Harbour  and  Peak  Bai^ 
Withy  Wood  i  Milk  River, 
Salt  River,  *«-. —  — ^-* 
Black  River,  ■  — 

Whitc-houfe,  near  Scot's  1  * 
Cove,  St.  Elizabeth,-—  j 

The  Hope,    r—     

Well(noi«land,  -^—  -,— 
Hanover  and  all  North  fide, 
Morant  Bay,  ■    ^-^ — :. 

Port  Morant, 
.  YaUah's  Bay, 


Hhds. 

Tierces.  | 

Barrek. 

Firkins ' 

Hoes  and 

>n4 

. 

aii<i. 

■pm». 

PHnch. 

I 

B9xes. 

, 

i«    ^, 

'    s. 

J. 

J. 

^/. 

i.     ii. 

f.      ^. 

7    6 

3 

9 

2 

6. 

'  ^ . 

7f 

!    9 

3 

9 

2 

6 

I     3 

.     7' 

9    9 

3 

9 

2 

'6 

i     3 

7i 

iz    6 

5 

o 

5 

9 

•  I  io4 

I       3   . 

IS    o 

7 

6 

3 

9 

I   lo) 

I     io| 

i6     3 

8 

9 

i 

o 

2       6 

I     rot 

1       10* 

ig    9 

lO 

o 

$ 

b 

2      6 

20      O 

lO 

o 

5 

o 

2      6 

2       6 

?    9 

5 

p 

3 

9 

i.iQt 

1.3. 

10    d 

5 

o   ■ 

1 

9 

1   io| 

I     i(i{ 

«    9' 

4 

.♦1' 

3 

i| 

*     3 

7i' 

Small 
Buodles, 


7f 


Ginger 

f>9r  Cvvr. 

or  Bag. 


7r 
7f 


I 
I 
I 
I 


I 
I 

3 

I 

I 
I 


o 

o 
o 

3 

3, 
I  of 

lOj 

9' 

o 

o 
o 


WATER-CARRIAGE,  as  above,  continued. 


Out-ports. 


Old  Harbour  and  Peak  Bay, 
Withy  Wood  &MilkRivcr, 
Salt  Kiver, 
Black  River, 
White-lioule«  near  Scot's 
Cove,  St,  Elizabeth,— 

The  Hope,    

WXlmoreland,  — —        ■ 
Hanover  and  sdl  North  fid^, 
Morant  Bay^ 
Port  Moranti 
Yallah'sBay, 


Cotton 

FitnentD 

Cwt. 

C\vt. 

s.     d. 

s,     d. 

t    6 

I     lof 

3    9 

2         6 

3    9 

«      6 

4    4i 

3       l| 

4    4i 

i       ^l 

4    4i 

3       li 

4    4i 

3       i^ 

5    ° 

3      9 

5    9 

I      iQf 

I  t 

X     1(4 
I       3 

oafer  * 
Cwt. 

//. 

lOf 

6 
6 


J. 

z 

2 
2 

3 


3 

3 
I 

I 

I 


»i 


If 

9 

lor 

lOi- 

i 


Hoops, 

Ofna- 

Lafg« 

(laves,brick8. 

briga. 

bun*' 

ferM. 

/^  piece. 

dies. 

s.       d. 

s%      d» 

5.    4 

»     25       0 

«  '  3 

.«     3 

25       0 

'  '    3 

I     3 

25       0 

«       3  . 

*     3 

30      0 

I,    io| 

I     3 

33      9 

I     I  of 

§ 
I     3 

33      9 

I     io| 
r     rof 

'     3 

35      P 

'    1 

40      0 

3       »i 

2    6 

2^      0 

I       3 

I     3 

25  ^  0 

»       3 

I-    3 

20      0 

m           « 

I      0 

I    ,3 

Boards, 

and 

Planks* 

i.   ^. 
ao  o 

*3  if 

^i  o 
25  o 


2;  o 
27  6 

35  o 
•3  i^ 
23  1 
20  o 


Thefe  charges  are  advanced,  by  an  a<S  of  aflembly,  fifty  per  cent. 
in  time  of  war.  From  hence  will  appear  the  utility  of  eftablifhing 
Port  Antonio  as  a  place  of  trade ;  by  which  means  the  fcttlers  in 
both  parifhes  would  be  relieved  from  this  heavy  burthen,  and  put 
in  a  condition  of  meeting  their  fellow-planters  of  the  richer  diftrifts 
upon  a  more  equal  footing  at  the  Britifh  rnaVket. 

It  remains  only  for  me  to  fay,  that  as  the  perfecting  thofe  roacis 

already  ftruek  thrdugh  tlic  interior  part  of  the  country,  and  opening 

Vol.  11.  G  g  others 


226  JAMAICA. 

others  wherever  fuch  a  communication  is  wanting,  appears  to  be 
the  firft  great  leading  meafure  towards  a  more  compleat  fettling  and 
peopling  of  this  ifland ;  fo  I  can  with  pleafure  bear  teftimony  to  the 
laudable  ipirit  which  at  prefent  afbuates  the  gentlemen  refident 
there,  who,  in  a  late  feffion  of  affembly,  beftowed  no  lefs  than 
5,000/.,  by  public  grant,  towards  forming  or  compleating  twenty 
very  neceffary  roads  in  the  following  patiflies;  a  munificence 
which,  faithfully  applied,  will  redound  not  more  to  the  credit  of 
their  good  fenfe,  than  to  the  general  benefit  of  the  ifland. 

Weftmoreland,  from  Hamberfly's  Penn,  to  Lenox  Plantation. 

Ditto,  from  Glafgow  Eftate,  to  Lucea  in  Hanover. 

Ditto,  from  Dean's  Valley,  to  Great  River  in  St.  James. 

Hanover,  from  Lucea  along  the  mountains,  to  Mofquito  Cove. 

St.  James,  from  Great  River,  through  Seven-Rivers,  to  Mont- 
pelier. 

Ditto,    from  Great  River,   through  Mootpelier,    to  the  Bogye 

Eftate. 

St.  Elizabeth,  from  Moroe^s  Craal,  to  Chefterfield. 

St.  Anne,  from  Ocho  Rios  Bay,  to  Dun's  River. 

Ditto,  from  Dry  Harbour,  to  the  Cave  in  Clarendon^ 

St..  Thomas  in  the  Vale,  to  St.  Mary. 

Ditto,  to  St.  Anne. 

Ditto,  over  Monte  Diablo. 

St.  Mary,  from  Guy's  Hill,  through  Bagnal's,  to  Rio  Nuevo«-Biy»^ 

Sl  George,  fromKingfton,   through  Cold  Spring,  to  Buff-Bay.. 

St.  David,  from  the  head  of  Yallah's  River,  to  Roger's  Corner,, 
leading  to  the  Barquadier  at  Yallah's  Bay. 

Ditto,.and  Port  Royal,  from  the  conflux  of  the  Hope  and  Hoghole: 
Rivers,  to  Yallah's  River,  near  its  jundipn  with  Gi-ecn-River.. 

St.  Andrew,  from  Moore's  Eftate,  to  Wagwater  River. 

St^  Thomas  in  the  Eaft,  from.  Port  Morant  Harbour,  to  the  Bath» 

Portland,.  from-Bath,  over  Break-heart  Hill,  to  Titchfield. 

Ditto,  from. Titchfield,.  to  Prieftman's. River,,  being  part  of  the 
high  road  fr.om.Rio  Grande. 

In  f^p  the  great  improvements,  made  in  many  pacts  of  the  ifland 
of  late  years,,  are  principally  to  be  afcribed  to  the  meliorated  ftate 
of  the  roads ;  to  the  'more  general  ufe.  of  M^ater^mills  ^  to  an  imts 

proved^ 


BOOK  IL    CHAP.    K.  aa/ 

proved  (kill  in  ?vcry  branch  o£  plaatation-oeconomy  ;  and  (in  the 
Weftern  diftrift)  to  the  importation  oiF  Negroes  immediately  into 
the  ports  of  Savannah  la  Mar  and  Montego ;  as  well  as  to  the  na- 
tural excellence  of  the  cane-land  in  that  diftrift. 

On  reyifing  what  has  bcpn  faid  in  refpeft  to  the  (hipping  which 
load  at  this  iflpnd,  and  their  tonnage,  I  perceive  I  (hall  be  thought 
to  have  greatly  under^rated  them.  Errors  on  this  head  may  very 
well  happen,  for  want  of  an  average-table^  as  no  two  fucceflive 
years  are  perhaps  equal  in  die  calculation,  and  as  the  number  and 
quantity  are  yearly  increa(ing. 

Mr.Leflie,  in  his  account  publifhed  in  the  year  17391  fuppofed 
the  annual  produce  of  fugar  equal  to  feventy  thoufand  hog(head3, 
of  fifteep  hundred  poupds  weight  each ;  which  was  certainly  a 
mi(lake«  From  this  po/lulatum  he  endeavoured  to  (hew,  that  five 
hundred  fail,  weight  fifty  thoufand  tons,  and  manned  by  at  lead  fix 
thousand  feamen,  vyere  at  that  time  loaded  with  the  produce  of  the 
colpny ;  and  he  deduces  the  advantages  to  Great-Britain  in  the  fol- 
lowing  manner  :.    ;  .      . 

Seamen  maintained,.         ~—         m  .,.  ,        ■     6000 

Perfbns  fubfifted  in  Britain  by  the  building  and  outfit  of 

this  (hipping,        ♦     ■  — —  ■     "  — —  14000 

Maintained  and  enriched  by  the  imports  into  Britain,    20000 

Mouths  fed  by  the  return  of  Briti(h  manufaduf  es,  merchan- 
dizes, and  commodities, .         ■  ■  40000 

Ditto,  by  retailing  thefe  products,  computed  at      ■        ■     ■     1 0000 


w 


In  all  (exclufive  of  inhabitants  in  the  ifland),    —      90000 

Whoever  is  well  informed  of  the  growth  of  Jamaica  will  rea- 
dily di(cern,  that  this  detail,  inllead  of  being  conformable  to  the 
Aate  of  it  at  that  period,  was,  in  fa£t,  only  an  anticipation  of  what 
has  iince  happened.  But)  to  fpeak  of  the  prefent  time,  the  produce 
in  fugar  is  augmented  by  many  thoufand  hog(heads;  rum  and  me« 
iafles  in  proportion.  Cofifee  makes  a  very  capital  article  of  export  $ 
and  ind^o  begins  to  be  confpicuous.  Several  new  ports  are  opened, 
whofe  trade  i«  in  a  very  promifing  way.  The  progrefs,  in  (hort, 
iince  the  time  Mr.  Leflie  wrote,  has  been  a(loni(hingly  great ;  in-; 
Ibmuch  that  I  do  not  know,  whether  the  following  computation 
is  not  ftill  rather  too  diminutive ;  viz. 

G  g  2  Shipping 


228  J    A    M    A    i    C    A. 

Shipping  employed   (hicluding  Britifli  and  North-American,  and 

exclufive  of  coafting  veffels),     ■    ■  '  ■  ■  700  fail* 

Tonnage,         —         —  ■  ■  poocotons. 

Seamen,     ■    ■  ■     loooo 

From  which  it  is  tafy  to  conceive  (without  minutely  recapitu- 
lating the  fubje£i:)  how  vaftly  prcJfitable  this  ifland  is  to  the  mother- 
country  in  every  view ;  whether  by  tmployin'g  fuch  multitudes  ol 
her  manufadurers  and  artificers  of  iir  kinds,  or  of  Britifli  and 
American  failors,  (hip^builders,  and  all  the  trades  and  occupations 
dependent  upon  them.     Such  is  the  value  of  this  flourifliing  cor 
lony  to  Britain !     Whence  we  may  rightly  conclude,  how  enormous 
and  irreparable  the  lofs  muft  be,  fliould  it  ever  devolve  into  the 
hands  of  any  other  power.     In  refpeft  to   the  quantity  of  fugar 
which  the  ifland  may  be  capable  of  producing,  in  addition  to  what 
it  now  yields,  it  is  no  eafy  matter  to  ipeak  with  abfolute  preci- 
fion,  on  account  of  the  unequal  crops  obtained  from  different  foils, 
and  the  diverfity  6f  fitu'ation ;.  thofe  which  are  remote  frortithe 
coaft,  or  which  have  bad  or  indifferent  roads  for  their  carriage,  or 
tannot  have  the  conveniences  of  wind  or  water-miHs,  requiring  a? 
much  greater  tradl  of  land  for  jpafturage  than  dthers.     fiut,^  in  or- 
der to  form  Tome  conjecture  iy!r"Tliis  head, "ler  us  firft  Coftfider  that 
fhe  unplanted   land,  lying  chiefly  within  the  mountains,  and  di- 
ftant  from  the  fea,  muft  in  gerientl  be  fubjeft,  more 'oi*  lefs,  to  the 
jnconveriiences  I  have  enumeraledT  and  therefore  the  allowance  for 
paftufe,  or  grafs-Tahd,'  fhould  in  general  be  rated  accordingly.     Let 
us  fuppofe,  then,  a  traft  of  three  hundred  acres  compleatly  fettled^ 
and  duly  apportioned  in  canes,  provifion,  pafture  and  grafs,.waftbf 
and  wood  for  fire  and  repairs  j  and  that  this  eftate,'  in  the  (kjuation 
before- reprefen ted,  yieHs,  comMmibus  annhj  one  huiidred  h6g(head» 
of   fugar,  and    about  forty-two  puncheons  of  rum.      Admitting 
then,  that  here  are  only  fivfe  hundred  thoulkid -Acres  pf  cane^laod 
unplanted;  thefe,  according  to   the  cflimate,  Mt  capafcfe  of  pro- 
ducing one  hundred  and  fixty-five  thoufand  hogflieadfe,  aififd  ieventy 
Ihoufand  puncheons;  the  duties  on  which  amount  to.  727^500/- 
dr  upwards.  The  computation  may  be  eafily  led  on  tc^thfe  lliippittg, 
the  ftamen,  the.confumption  of  manufaftures,  and  ether -nttmerous- 
appendages,  which  necefiarily  and  invariably  follow  this  a>ugmented 
ftateof  cultivation..    But  all  thefe  are^  by  this*  time^  fo  obvious  to 

5  the 


BOOK    IL      CHAP.      IX.  ^229 

the  apprehcnfion  of  every  reader,  that  I  need  not  proceed  to  eluci- 
date them  any  further. 

Having  now  gone  through  the  feveral  counties  and  parishes  in  3 
manner  which,  though  difcurfive  and  impcrfed,  I  hope  may  be  fuf- 
ficient  to  give  a  tolerable  idea  of  their  ftate,  in  regard  to  fettlements, 
ports,  rivers,  produftions,  advantages,  and  defers,  it  may  not  be 
improper  to  exhibit  a  general  review  of  the  whole. 


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2y>  JAMAICA. 

The  following  table  may  ferve  to  (hew  the  comparative  ftate  of 
the  parifhes  in  regard  to  their  contribution  of  public  taxes,  taking 
the  firft-mentioned  as  the  largeft  contributor,  and  (b  defcending  in  a 
feries  of  diminution  to  the  lowcft,  or  Port  Royal,  whofe  propor- 
tion, compared  with  the  firft,  is  only  as  one  to  eighteen ;  and  hence 
Ibme  idea  may  be  formed  of  their  compar<itive  wealth : 

1  St.  James  (including  Trelawny),        1 1  St*  Thomas  in  the  Vale,  . 

2  Clarendon,  12  Vere, 

3  Weftmorjeland,  13  St,  John, 

4  St.  Thomas  in  the  £a(t»  14  Kingston, 

5  Hanover,  1 5  St.  Dorothy, 

6  St.  Elizabeth^  1 6  St.  George, 

7  St.  Mary,  j  7  Portland, 
S  Sl  Andrew,  18  St.  David, 
9  St.  Catharine,  19  Port  RoyaL 

lb  St.  Anne, 

A  comparative  table,  intended  to  (hew  the  traffic  carried  on  by 
captains  of  (hips,  and  other  tranlient  dealers,  at  the  different  out- 
ports  :  add  the  proportion  which  they  feverally  bear  to  Kingfton ; 
from  which  fome  judgement  may  be  formed  of  the  number  of 
(hipping  that  rcfort  to  each  reipeftively : 

MontegoBay,      One  Fifth. 

St.  Anne,  Savannah  la  Mar, One  Fifth. 

Old  Harbour,      One  Ninth. 

St.  Lucea,     _    One  Fifteenth. 

Black  River, One  Eighteenth. 

CarlifleBay,  —^        OneTwenty-fecond. 

The  others,        Not  computed. 

An  eftimate  of  the  number  of  coaches,  and  other  wheel-carriages 
ofpleafure,  kept  in  the  fevsral  pariflies : 

Kingfton,        ^00 

St.  Catharine,     ■  .        ^80 

St.  Andrew, 
Clarendon, 
Weftmoreland, 
Vjere,  

St.  Elizabeth, 


BOOK    ir.      CHAP.      IX.  ^31 

St.  Dorothy,        —          —  1  1  70 

St.  James,        ——  —         ■   ■■   1      ■  65 

St.  Thomas  in  the  Vale,           ■  ■  ■  25 

St.  Anne,            — —  ■■  14 

St.  David,               ■  I  ■                  ■  7 

St.  Thomas  in  the  Eaft,        —  —     —  4. 

Portland,                ■■                     ■  —  i 

Total.  1498 
The  number  of  thefe  carriages  is  not  in  exa£t  proportion  to  the 
value  of  property;  for  it  is  to  be  confidered,  that,  in  regard  to  the 
richer  parilhes^  fome  of  the  proprietors  refide  more  connmonly  ia 
town  ;.  fome,  on  account  of  bad  or  hilly  roads,  keep  no  carriage  in 
the  country ;  but  many  more  are  abfent  fi;om  the  ifland,  and  keep 
theirs  in  Gnat-Britain.  They  are  by  no  means  to  be  regarded  as^ 
articles  of  luxury  in  Jamaica :  they  are  neceifary  to  the  inhabi-^ 
tants  for  their  conveniency  in  point  of  health,  and  in  tl-aveling. 
from  place  to  place ;.  but,  confidering  their  hady  decay  in  this  cli- 
mate, and  the  coftUnefs  of  their  workmanfliip,  they  form  no  con-- 
temptible  article  in  the  lift  of  Britifli  manufadures  which  this 
Hland  confumes;  and,  as  the  roads  become  more  and  more  imi- 
proved,  the  number  of  them  will  doubtlefs  increafe. 

The  general  poft-office  for  the  ifland  is  kept  in  the  town  of 
Kingfloii.    This  place  is  in  the  appointment  of  the  pofl-mafler  ge^ 
neral  of  Great-Britain,,  and  fuppofed  worth  about  1000/.  (leiling 
per  annum.     With  refpeft  to  any  convenience  which  the  inhabi- 
tants at  preient  derive  fromit,  much  cannot  be  faid;  nor  can,  in- 
deed, the  deputy  well  afford  to  make  it  more  ufeful  to  them,,  untib 
the  roads  (hall  be  further  improved,  and  the  country  better  peopled.. 
The  fcveral  mails  are.difpatched  from  Kingfton  but  once  a  week;, 
and,  if  a  mexchant  ihere  fends  a  letter  by  this  conveyance  to  his 
correfpondent  at  Savannah  la  Mar,  he  muft  wait  twelve  days  before 
he  can  receive  an  anfwer.    The  prefent  deputy,  however,  has  had^ 
the  credit  o£  regulating  the  inland  poft  upon  a.  better  plan  than^j/\ 
€f  his  predeccflors.. 

•    '  The- 


23*  JAMAICA. 

The  following  are  the  diftances  computed  at  his  office ;  agreeably 
to  which  the  poftage  is  demanded  and  paid. 

Seuth  Side  Poft. 


From    te 

Kingfton  — 

Spanifh  Town     

Old  Harbour  Market 
Clarendon  Crofs   — 


Spanifh  Tow«, 

Old  Harbour  Market, 

Clarendon  CroTs,  


Pepper  St.  Elizabeth 
Lacovia    ■  — ■ 

Black  River      ■     ■ 


Pepper  St.  Elizabeth, 
Lacovia,  ■ 

Black  Rivrer, 


Miles  comp. 
^       i8 


Savannah  la  Mar 


Savannah  la  Mar,\VeftmQrcland, 

Lucea,  ■  ■  ...  . 


iz 

12 

37 

^5 


•  From  — 
Kingfton  — - 
SpaniHi  Town 
Salt  Gut,  — 
St.  Anne, 
Rio  Bueno^ 
Marthabrae 


to 


North  Side  Poft. 

Spanifli  Town,    

Salt  Gut,  St.  Mary's, 
St.  Anne's  Port,  — 
Rio  Bueno, 


1 54 


Miles  comp, 
-       i8 


Kingfton, 
Anotto  Bay, 


From 
Kingfton  — 
jEoIus  Valley 
Petersfield  — 
Morant  Bay  — 
Port  Morant  — 

Bath         

Amity  Hall  — 
Manchineal  — 


Marthabrae,  Trelawny, 
-     —    Montego  Bay,  St.  James, 

.     —    Anotto  Bay,  St.  Mary, 
Port  Maria,        

Windward  Poft. 
to 

^olus  Valley,  St.  Thomas  in  the  Eaft, 
Petersfield,  ditto, 
Morant  Bay,  ditto. 
Port  Morant,  ditto, 
Bath,  ditto, 

Amity  Hall,  ditto, 
Manchineal, 


40 
20 
20 

'7 

«5 


140 
45 


Port  Antonio,  Portland, 


Miles  comp. 
20 
6 

5 

7 
6 

7 

9 

II 


7' 


Rate$ 


BOOK    IL      CHAP.    IX.  233: 

Rates  of  the  IiUand-poftage,  for  any  Diftance  not  exceeding  fixty 

^  Englifli  Miles. 

J.  </. 

Single,     o     7}  Jamaica  currency,  or  i  RyaK 

Double,  I     3                —  2  ditto. 

Treble,    i     3               —  2  ditto. 

Ounce,    I  io|             —  3   ditto. 

For  any  Diftance  upwards  of  fixty,  and  not  exceeding  one  hundred 

Englifti  Miles. 

Single,     o     yi  Jamaica  currency,  or  i  Ryal. 

Double,  1     3  ■  —  2  ditto. 

Treble,    i    loj  ■  —  3  ditto. 

Ounce,    2     6  — —  —  4  ditto. 

For  any  Diftance  upwards  of  one  hundred,    and  not  exceeding 

two  hundred  miles. 

/•     d. 

Single,     I     3     Jamaica  currency,    or     2  Ryals. 
Double,    I   10  i  ■■  —     3  ditto. 

^    .  Treble,    2     6  ■  —     4  ditto. 

Ounce,     3     9  ■  —     6  ditto. 

And  in  Proportion  for  every  Ounce  Weight. 

Rates   of  Poftage    from    this  Ifland    to   Great-Britain  ^r  Ad: 

9  Anne,   c.  lo. 

s,     d^  Sterling.  j.    d.  Jamaica  Currenqr. 

Single,    ■■    ■  ■        I    6  ■  2  i 

Double,    — -    3     o  ■  3  4f 

Treble,     ■  — —     4    6    .   63! 

Ounce,      ■       ■    6     o       ■  8  4I 

Merchants  accounts  exceeding  one  Iheet  of  paper,  bills  of  ex- 
change, invoices,  and  bills  of  lading,  are  all  to  be  rated  and  taxed 
as  fo  many  feveral  letters,  per  6  George  I. 

Confidering  the  great  and  continual  commerce  which  this  ifland 
maintains  with  the  mother-country,  and  the  extenfive  correfpon- 
dence  carried  on  by  letter  with  merchants,  abfentees,  and  others ; 
the  frequent  orders  for  infurance  and  for  goods,  the  tranfmiffion-in- 
voices,  bills  of  lading,  bills  of  exchange  and  accompts,  with  dupli- 
Vol.  IL  H  h  catcs; 


234  JAMAICA, 

cares ;  we  may  fuppofe  the  revenue  gains  a  confiilerable  annual  firtn- 
from  thefe  articles  j  perhaps,  the  clear  emolument,  to  fpeak  within 
compafs,  is  not  lefs  than  6000/.  fterling,  or  upwards.  The  office 
was  firft  ercdted  in  Jamaica  in  the  year  1687,  and  one  Mr.  James 
Wade  appointed  poft-mafter.  This  *has  been  produced  as  one  ex- 
ample, among  others,  of  parliamentary  fupremacy  in  the  levying 
of  internal  taxes  within  the  colonies ;  but,  as  the  conveniency 
arifing  from  it  to  trade  and  commerce  was  undoubtedly  the  original 
ground  of  its  inftitution,  {o  the  fenfe  of  this  conveniency  gave  it  an 
eafy  admiflion  into  the  colonies,  ftill  indulges  its  exiftence>-.and 
muft  continue  to  do  fo,  unlefs  the  rates  (hould  be  increafed  to  a  de* 
gree  of  oppreflion;  lathis  event  it  muft  deftroy itfelf,  of  whichj. 
the  revenuerofficers  are  probably  well.fatisfied*. 

C    H     A     P.       X.. 

S/afe  of  the  Clergy. . 

THE  Clergy  of  the  eflablifhed  church  have  had  a  footing  in 
this  ifland  ouly,  fince  the  Reftoration  of  Charies  II.v  Crom-^ 
well  took  care  to  furnilli  the  army  with  fpiritoar-as  well  as  carnal' 
weapons.  1  think  there  were  no  Icfs  than  feven  allotted  to  this  fer- 
vice;  but  they  were  fanatical  preachers;  a  fort  of ,  irregulars,  who 
foon  made  way  for  more  orthodox  divines.  It  has  always  been  a 
rule,  in  our  Weft- India  iflands,  to  affimilate  their  religion,  as  well 
as  laws,  tothofe  of  the  mother-country.  It  is  iio* wonder,  there- 
fore, that  popery  became  the  favourite  lyftem  in  Jamaica  during 
the  reign  of  James  II.  And  the  charadler  of  this  religion  was  per- 
feftly  wejl  fiipported  by  the  fpirit  of  perfecutidn  which  was  let 
Joofe  againft*  all  non-conformifts.  The  Revolution,  under  king 
William  happily  expelled  or  fubdued  thefe  fupefftitions,  and  gave 
the  inhabitants,  at  one  and  the  fame  time,  the  eftjoyruent  of  re- 
ligious and  civil  libert}'.  Recantations  became  frequent;  induftry 
xevived ;  and  the  ftubborn  rage  of  bigotry  was  melted  into  peace 
aad  concord;  Charles  II,  although  fecretly  profefling  the  Roman 
faith,  cannot  be  accufed'of  having  exercifed'feverity  againft  its  ad^ 
verfaries.      Good  fchfc  tauglxt  hiqi  to  difccrn  the  expediency  of 

granting 


BOOK    II.      CHAP.    IX.  t^s 

granting  toleration  in  thefe  diftant  parts  of  his  dominion  ;  for  I  do 
not  fufpedt  that  he  meant  fo  much  to  favour  men  of  the  Roman  Ca- 
tholic perfuafion,  as  to  ftock  thefe  infant^fcttlements  with  ufeful 
people.  In  his  inftruftions  to  the  governors,  he  diredls,  ''  for  the 
**  encouragement  of  peribus,  of  different  judgements  and  opinions 
"  in  matters  of  religion,  to  tranfport  themfelves,  with  their 
«*  effcds,  to  Jamaica;  and  that  they  may  not  be  obftrudled  and 
*•  hindered  under  pretence  of  fcruples  ia  confcience^'^  to  difpe.nlc 
with  the  taking  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  fupjemacy  to  thofe  that 
(hould  bear  any  part  in  the  government  (the  members  and  officers 
of  the  privy  council  only  excepted),  and  to  6nd  out  fome  other 
way  of  fecuring  their  allegiance ;  and  in  no  cafe  to  let  any  man  be 
m^cJefted  or  difquieted  in  the  exercife  of  his  religion,  provided  he 
fhould  be  content  with  a  quiet,  peaceable  enjoymeirt  of  it ;  not 
giving  therein  any  offence  or  fcandal  to  the  government.  But  the 
governors  themfelves  were  ftri<Stly  enjoined,  in  their  own  houfe  and 
fomily,  to  the  profeflion  of  the  Protcflant  religion,  as  preached 
in  England ;  and  to  recommend  it  to  others  as  far  as  might  l>e 
confident  with  the  peace  of  the  ifland.  This  toleration  was  after* 
wards  much  narrowed  by  the  adts  of  parliament  afFefting  papiHs; 
^vhich  are  fb  far  admitted  in  force  here,  as  to  preclude  them  from 
exercifing  any  office,  or  place  of  truft,  the  oaths  of  abjuration  and 
fupremacy  being  indifpenfably  required  to  be  taken  before  admiflion 
into  any  fuch  office  or  place,  or  a  feat  in  the  legiflature.  But  men 
of  all  perfuaiions  are  ftill  i^ceived  here  as  inhabitants;  the  natura- 
lization-aft,  pafTed  in  Jamaica^  only  obligiiig  aliens  to  tak^  the 
oath  of  allegiance  :  nor  is  any  man  ever  queftioned  here  about  his 
religious  principles  [^].  The  hifhop  of  London  daims  this  as  a 
part  of  his  diocefe ;  but  his  jurifdiftion  is  renounced,  and  barred 
hy  the  laws  of  the  ifland,  in  every  cafe,  except  fo  far.  as  relates  or 
appertains  to  ecclefiaftical  regimen  of  the  clergy ;  which  imports 
no  higher  power  than  that  of  granting  orders^  and  giving  paftoral 

I^.]  In  1729,  an  a;5l  wiis  pafTed  **  for  preventing  dangers  that  may  ariCc  from  difgulfed,  aj»  well 
**  as  declared,  Papiils.^  But,  this  not  being  found  to  anfwcr  thepurpofes  for  which  it  was  intended, 
and,  on  the  contrary,  having  only  fcrved  to  difcourage  wcil-aflfeftcd  Pfotellants  from  coming  over 
CO  (ettle  in  the  ifland,  it  was  repealed  in  the  year  following.  Ii  is  faid  to  have  been  leveled  agtunft 
one  particular  gem leman,  a  member  of  the  legiflature,  and  a  papirt  ;  who  had  made  himfclf  ofFcn- 
iivc  to  JB.  party  which  at  that*  lime  exiiled  in  the  houfe  of  aflcmbly. 

H  h  2  admonitions; 


^36  JAMAICA. 

admonitions;  for  it  is  queftioned,  whether  he  can  fufjpend  any 
clergyman  here,  either  ab  (fficio^  or  a  beneficioi  fince  it  is  cxprcfsly 
enafted,  by  aft  of  aflembly,  **  that  no  ecclefiaftical  law,  or  ju- 
**  rifdiftion,  (hall  have  power  to  enforce,  confirm,  or  eftablifli, 
**  any  penal  mulfts,  or  punifliment,  in  any  cafe  whatfoever  :'*  and, 
as  the  deprivation  either  of  a  living,  or  its  emoluments,  is  virtually 
a  mulft,  and  aftually  a  puniihment,  the  opinion  is  ftrong  againft 
his  right  of  interpofition.  The  governor,  as  fupreme  head  of  the 
provincial  church,  and  in  virtue  of  the  royal  inftruftions,  is  vefted 
with  a  power  of  fufpending  a  clergyman  here,  of  lewd  and  diforderly 
Jife,  ab  officio^  upon  the  petition  of  his  pariftiioners ;  and  I  can  re- 
member one  example  of  this  fort.  The  governor  indufts  into  the 
feveral  reftories  within  the  ifland  and  its  dependencies ;  the  parties 
iirft  producing  before  him  the  teftimonials  of  their  being  regularly 
in  orders,  and  taking  the  ufual  oaths.  The  cuflom  of  tythes  has 
never  been  in  ufe  here :  inftead  of  them,  the  feveral  flipends  are 
eflablilhed  by  law,  and  levied  by  thejuftices  and  veftries;  who  are 
likewife  empowered  to  appoint  and  limit  the  fees  for  chriftening,. 
marriage,  churching,  and  burial.  No  minifter  is  to  demand  or 
take  his  ftipend  for  any  longer  time  than  he  (hall  aftually  officiate  in- 
his  parifli,  ficknefs  only  excepted ;  fo  that  a  fufpenfion  ab  officio  is,, 
in  faft,  a  fufpenfion  alfo  a  benejicio.  They  are  required  to  regifter 
births,  chriftenings,  marriages,  and  burials.  Thefe  entries  aret 
declared  authentic  records,  to-  be  received  as  fuch  in  any  court  of 
juftice  J  and  the  ftealing,  razing,  or  embezzling  of  them  is  made 
felony.  Every  beneficed  raiaiifter  is,  ex  officio^  a  freeholder  to  all 
intents  and  purpofes,  and  accordingly  admitted  to  vote  at  eleftions 
of  aflembly-members..  He  is  alfo  to  be  conftantly  one  of  the 
veftry;  and  no  vefiry  can  make  any  order,  without  fitft  giving 
timely  notice  t©  the  minifter,  that  he  may  attend  if  he  thinks  fit*. 
The  ordinance  refpefti^g  non-otficiating  is.  but  vaguely  exprefled  ; 
Jiowever,  it  has  been  thought  ftrong  enough  to  juftify  the  church- 
wardens and  veftry  in  refufing  to  pay  the  ftipend,.  in  cafe  their 
reftor  ihould  wilfully  refufe  to  perform  the  duties  of  his  curci  It  is 
Hippofed,  that  noivrefidcnce  is  implied,  becaufe  in  ihe  reftor*s  ab- 
fence,  the  pariftiioners  are  left  to  bury  their  awn  dead ;  and  a  wil-i- 
ful  neglciSt  of  the  performance  of  guy  duty  is  much  the  fame,  ia 

effea:^ 


BOOK    11.      CHAP.    IX.  jtjx 

^Sed:,  as  a  pofitiye  denial.     The  ftatute,  91  Henry  VIIL  excufts 
from  refidence  in  three  cafes ;  ift,  the  want  of  a  dwelling- houfe^  or 
tlie   inconvenience  of  one  too  fmall,  or  mean,  to  receive  and  ac- 
commodate the  re6tor*s  family:  2dly,  ficknefa,  or  where,  by  ad- 
vice of  a  phyfician,  a  removal  into  another  air  is,  iond  fide^  ne- 
ceflary  for  recovery  of  health;    3dly,    employment  in  the  king*s. 
iervice.     In  Jamaica,  the  juftices  and  veftry  of  each  parilh,  where: 
there  is   no  parfonage-houfe,  are   required,  either  to  hire   one  of. 
^oL  per  annum  rent,  or  to  purchafe  or  build  one  of  500/.  value. 
Under  this  limitation,  which  is  fo  unequal,  it  may  be  fuppofed 
that  they  cannot  buy  or  build   a  very  convenient  habitation   with 
fuitable  offices.      The  fum   allowed  ought   to    have   been  800/. 
which  would  have  held  a  nearer  proportion  to  the  fum  allowed  for 
hiring ;    50  /.  being  little  more  than  the  annual   intereft  of  800  L 
In  general,  they  are  well  lodged,  except  in  thofe  parilhes  where 
the  redlor's  immorality,  or  bad  difpofition,  has  created  him  fo  many . 
enemies,  that  his  flock  would  rather  he  ihould  live  any  where   than 
among  them.     The  fecond   difpenfation,  in  regard   to  ill; health, 
and  change  of  air  for  recovery,  has  always  been  readily  indulged 
here  in  its  full  latitude.     As  to  the  third,  the  chaplains  attending 
the  governor,  or  the  council,  oraflembly,  areexcufed;  the  former 
at  all  times;  the  two  latter,    during  the   feflions.     But  the  fame 
minifter  having   ufually    been    chaplain  both  to  the  governor  and 
council,  and  holding  the  living  of  Spanifli  Town,  where  the  go- 
veriK)r  refides,  and  the  council  meet,  no  inconvenience  has  hitherto* 
refulted.     But  pluralities    are  not  allowed  here ;  and,  if  ever  they 
fhould  be  attempted,  the  people  will  be  greatly  incenfcd,  having 
feverely   felt  the  inconveniencies  arifing  from  the  combination  of 
many  places  in  one  perfon. 

The  teftimonials  required  to  be  produced,  before  induftion  into* 
any  living  here,  are,  that  the  candidate  be  qualified  according  to  the 
canons  of  the  church  of  England,  by  having  taken  deacon's  and 
prieft's  orders  s  which  teftimonials  muft,  after  the  governor's  ap- 
probation, be  recorded  in  the  fecretary's  office.  They  arc  not  to 
celebrate  any  marriage  without  banns  have  been  three  times  pub- 
liftied  in  the  parifti-church  to  which  the  parties  belong,  or  without 
a  licence  from  the  governor,  under  penalty  of  10c/.     By  a  rule, 

of 


a^t  ./J    A    MA  /I    E    A. 

of  the-'  governdl's  odurt  of  ordinary,  for  better  prcvceoting  fqrrep. 
t-ifious  marriages  of  orphans,  or  minors ;  affidavite,  in  fuch  cafes, 
are  required  to  be  fUed  of  the  guar<lian*s  confeut;  without  which, 
the  governor  do€3  ^tvot  ufually  grant  a.  licence.  Formerly,  the 
cuftom  in  thefe  iflauds'was,  to  be  married  bythejuftices  of  the 
peace ;  for  in  thofc  days  a  clergyman  was  not  always  at  hand.  The 
feme  praftice  IHII  fubfifts,  as  I  am  informed,  at  the  Mofquito  fliore, 
and  fome  of  the  other  dependencies.  And  it  is  certain,  that  a  mar- 
riage, celebrated  in  this  manner  in  Jamaica,  even  now,  if  according 
to  the  form  of  word jj  in  our  liturgy,  would  be  valid  in  law,  and 
fupport  the  right  ^ to  dower  or  thirds.  The  Jamaica  law  retrains 
none  from  performing  the  ceremony,  except  minifters  not  qualified 
with  the  teftimonials  before-mentioned;  and  the  penalty,  impo(ed 
wpon  others  who  folemnize  without  banns  or  licence,  does  not  tend 
to  declare  fuch  marriages  void.  The  chaplains  of  the  council  and 
aflembly  have  a  falary,  of  tooL  each,  for  reading  prayers,  every 
morning  during  feffion,  previous  to  entering  upon  bufinefs.  They 
are  not  called  upon,  as  in  England,  to  preach  anniverfary  fermons. 
Of  the  character  of  the  clergy  in  this  ifland  I  (hall  fay  but  little. 
There  have  feldom  been  wanting  fome,  who  were  equally  refpec- 
table  for  their  learning,  piety,  and  exemplary  good  behaviour: 
others  have, been  deteftable  for  their  addition  to lewdnefs,  drinking, 
gambling,  and  iniquity ;  having  no  controul,  but  their  own  fenfe 
of  the  dignity  of  their  fundtion,  and  the  cenfures  of  the  governor. 
The  fcandalous  or  irreproachable  demeanour  of  many  will  chiefly 
.depend  on  their  own  quality  of  heart,  or  that  of  the  commander  in 
chief.  If  the  cloth  has  fuffered  difgrace  and  contempt  from  the  ac- 
tions of  a  few;  we  muft  neverthelefs  confider  the  major  part, 
worthy  the  public  efteem  and  encouragement.  Some  labourers  of 
the  Lord's  viiKyard  have  at  times  been  fent,  who  were  much  better 
.qualified  to  be  ret-ilers  of  falt-fifh,  or  boatfwains  to  privateers,  than 
minifters  of  the  Gofpel.  It  is  recorded  of  a  certain  re£lor  of  one 
of  the  towns,  that,  having  the  bodies  of  three  deceafed  feamen 
brought  to  him  one  day  for  interment,  he  thought  to  make  quick 
work  of  it  by  only  one  reading  of  the  burial-fervice.  The  brother 
tars,  who  attended  the  folemnity,  infifted  upon  three  feveral  readings, 
jjii  honour  of  their  comrades.     The  r.eclor  was  obftinate.     Words 

grew 


1 


B  O  OK    il.      CHAP.-    X.  239 

grew  Kigh;  and  at  length  the  dlfputccame  ro'  blows.  The  parfbn, 
the  clerk,  and  all  the  congregation,  engaged  pell-mell.  Nor  long 
the  battle  raged ;  for  divinity  proved  vidlorious,  after  hurling  twQ 
or  three  of  the  combatants  headlong  into  the  very  grave  that  had 
been  prepared  for  their  inanimate  friends.  Of  another  (a  French- 
man) it  is  faid,  that,  preaching  one  day,  in  his  ufual  broken  Englifli, 
on  the  fubje<St  of  the  laft  day,  he  entertained  his  audience  with  thet 
comparative  condition  of  the  good  and  thefinful ;  informing  them, 
"  dat  dey  would  be  feparate,  de  goat  on  de  left  hohd,  dc  moutons 
"  ond€  right.*'  Ridiculous  characters  of  this  ftamp^fliould  bring 
no  flanddr  on  the  clergy  in  general ;  they  refled  diftonour  alone 
upon  thofe  patrons  in  England,  who  would  make  no  fcruple  in 
fending  over  their  footmen,  to  benefit  by  any  employment  in  the 
colonies,  eeclefiaftical  or  civil. 

If  the  bifhop  of  London  could  legally  exercife  the  right  (which 
fome  fay  he  claims)  of  infpeOing  the  conduft  of  the  clergy  here, 
and  fubjeAing  the  fame,  when  neceflary,  to  ecclfefiaftical  cenfures 
and  punifliment ;  yet  his  lordfliip*s  refidence  at  fo  great  a  diftance, 
and.  the  engagements  of  his  diocefe  at  home,  would  be  obftacles  to 
his  working  a  thorough  reformation  in  Jamaica.  His  cenfures,  in- 
deed^  though  but  fparingly  inflifked,  might  neverthelefs  produce  a 
good  effed,  provided  all  the  clergy  of  the  illand  had  been  regularly 
trained  M  One  of  dur  Englifli  univerfities,  and  early  verfed  in  the 
knowledge  of  our  religion.  But,  when  perfbns  are  ient  hither 
barely-qualified  according  to  the  canons  of  the  church,  and  the  laws 
of  the  landj  as  to  ordination,  licence^  &c.  and  thereby  entitled  to  * 
the  very  fame  privileges  and  favour,  whether  they  have  been  bred 

at  Cambridge,  at  Oxford,  or  St.  Omer's,  in  an  univerllty,  or  acoblcr's 
(hop;  whether  they  have- been  initiated  in^the  proteftant,'  or  in  the 
popifli  religion ;  whether  their  language  is  Englifli  or  French,  or  ^ 
neither  r  1  fay,  fo  long  as  the  caffock  is  fuftered  to  be  put  on  here 
with  fb  little  difcrimination,  not  all  the  exhortations  of  all  the 
bifliops  in  the  world  could  poflibly  make  the  clergy  of  ihis  ifland  • 
a  rcfpcftable  body  of  men.  Let  ns,  hovcever,  venture'  to  aflert  in 
theii:  favour,  that,  although  fome  perhaps  may  be  found,  w!io,  in 
their  moral  conduft,  would  difgracc'even  themeancft  of  mankind, 
there  iire  others,  and  in  a  much  greater  number,  whd,  by  their  ex- 
6  ample- 


340  .    -  JAM    A.I    G    A. 

ample  and  their  ddftrine,  would  do  honour  to  their  profefiion  ia 
any  part  of  England. 

CHAP.      XI. 

MINES.-- 

r"|^ HE  firft  adventurers  who  reforted  to  this  ifland  conceived 
1  very  fanguine  expeftations  of  finding  gold  and  filver  mines. 
They  were  told  of  a  filver  mine,  that  had  been  worked  by  the  Spa-^ 
niards,  Ibmewhere  in  the  Healthfhire  Hills,  in  St.  Catharine  ;  but 
they  were  «ot  able  to  difcover  it.  Still  the  flattering  profpedl  en- 
couraged two  or  three  principal  gentlemen  of  the.  ifland  to  folicit 
for  an  ejcclufive  patent  for  working  fuch  mines.  This  they  ob- 
tained, and  made  fome  attempts  ;  which  failed  of  fuccefs,  and. 
brought  fuch  heavy  expences  upon  them,  that  they  were  glad  to  re- 
linquilh  the  projciSV,  a«d  furrendered  their  patent.  After  all,  the  re- 
port of  the  Spanifh  filver  mine  was  probably  no  other  than  a  fic- 
tion. However,  that  the  mountains  contain  both  that  metal  and 
gold  is  very  certain,  as  well  as  that  the  Spaniards  obtained  fbme  of 
the  latter  from  the  river-courfes  ;  in  which  method  they  were  in- 
flrufted  by  the  Indians,  who,  in  Hiipaniola  and  this  ifland,  ufed  to 
procure  it  in  the  fame  manner.  The  inhabitants  of  Peru  and  Mexico 
purfue  the  fame  method  at  this  day.  They  dig  in  the  juagles  of 
fome  fmall  brook,  where  by  certain  tokens  they  expe£k  to  find  the 
grains,  or  particles,  of  gold.  In  order  to  carry  off  the  mud,  they 
admit  a  frefli  fl:ream  upon  it,  and  keep  turning  it  up/  As  foou 
as  they  perceive  the  gold  fand,  they  divert  the  ftream  intp  another 
channel,  and  dig  up  the  foil  with  hoes  or  pick-axes,  and  convey  it 
upon  mules  to  certain  bafons,  joined  together  by  fmall  conduits. 
Into  thcfe  bafons  they  let  a  fmart  ftream  of  water,  to  loofen  the 
earth,  and  clear  away  the  grofler  parts ;  the  Indians  ftanding  all 
the  time  in  the  bafons,  and  throwing  out  the  ftones  or  rubbifli^ 
The  gold  ftill  remains  in.  the  fediment,  mixed  with  a  black  fand, 
and  fcarcely  vjfible,  till  further  depurated  by  more  wafhings.  In 
fome  of  thefe  colleftions  are  gold  grains,  as  large  as  bird-fliot ;  in 
others  have  been  found  lumps  of  it,  from  two  or  three  ounces  to  a 

i  •  s      pound 


BOOK     II.     ClfAP.    XL  241 

pound  weight;  and  this  way  of  procuring  gold  is  juftly  thought 
far  more  profitable  than  digging  for  it  in  the  mines.  In  Popayan^ 
tlie  procefs  is  very  little  different.  They  ftir  and  dilute  the  ma& 
tn  the  bafons  till  the  moft  ponderous  parts,  as  little  {tones>  fand,  and 
gold,  remain  at  the  bottom*  They  then  go  into  the  bafon,  with 
wooden  buckets,  made  for  the  purpofe,  in  which  they  take  up  the 
iediment ;  then  moving  them  circularly  and  uniformly,  at  the  fame 
time  changing  the  waters^  the  lefs  ponderous  parts  are  feparated ; 
and  at  laft  the  gold  nemains  at  the  bottom  of  the  buckets,  clear 
from  all  mixture.  It  is  generally  found  in  grains,  as  fmall  as  thofe 
of  fand,  and,  for  that  reaibn,  called  oro  en  polvo ;  though  fome* 
times  pepitas^  or  feeds,  are  found  ambngft  it,  of  different  iizes ;  but 
generally  they  are  fmall.  The  water  ifluing  from  the  firfl  bafbn  if 
flopped  in  another,  contrived  a  little  beneath  it,  where  it  undergoes 
the  like  operation,  in  wder  to  fecure  any  miinute  particles,  which, 
from  their  extreme  tenuity,  might  be  carried  o£f  by  the  current  of 
water,  mixed  with  earth  and  other  fubilances :  and,  lafUy,  this 
water  is  pafled  into  a  third  bafbn  ;  but  the  favings  here  are  generally 
inconfiderable.  The  labourers  mofl  commonly  ufed  are  Negroe« 
flaves ;  and  whilfl  fome  are  bufied  in  #aihing,  others  bring  earth  ; 
fb  that  the  waihers  are  kept  in  cotitinual  employnient.  The  finenefs 
of  this  gold  is  generally  of  twenty*two  carats ;  ibmetimes  more, 
even  to  twenty-three ;  fometimes  indeed  it  is  under,  but  very  &1« 
dcMXi  below  twenty *one  [by 

There  is  no  doubt  but,  by  a  long  courfe  of  praflice,  the  Spa^ 
niards  have  made  feveral  improvements  up<m  the  original  Indian 
procefs,  which  was  more  fimple  and  tedious.  The  Rio  Minho^ 
in  Clarendon  parifh,  has  by  fi>me  been  fuppofed  to  derive  its  name 
from  the  Minho  in  Portugal.  Others  imagine  it  was  fo  called  from 
ibme  mine  in  its  neighbourhood,  knovm  to  the  Spanifh  inhabitants ; 
and  1  think  there  is  ground  for  this  conjedure ;  fbr^  a  few  years  ago^ 
one  of  thefe  lavaderos  was  difcovered  on  its  bank  at  Longville 
plantation^  in  that  parifh,  which  flill  remains  tolerably  perfed* 
Here  is  a  terrafled  platform,  with  feveral  bafons  chifleled  out  of 
rock ;  the  interfaces  being  filled  up,  here  and  there,  with  a  vtry 
hard  cement,  or  mortar,  to  render  the  furface  finooth.    Joined  to 

[A]  uaoju 
Vol.  a  li  this 


242  JAMAICA. 

this  platform  is  a  pretty  large  fragment  of  a  gutter,  made  for  con* 
ducking  the  river-water  into  the  baibns.  This  feems  to  be  a  coa< 
vincing  teftimony,  that  the  bed  of  this  river  has  afforded  the  gold 
fand,  waflied  down  perhaps  from  ibme  of  the  mountains  among 
which  its  courfe  lies;  and  a  further  proof  is,  that  bits  of  gold  have 
ibmetimes  been  found  after  floods.  The  late  Mr.  Alderman  fieck« 
ford  poileiled  a  plantation  on  the  oppofite  fide  of  the  river..  Many 
years  ago,  when  he  was  in  the  iflandy  the  manager  for  this  eftate 
brought  to  him  one  day  a  finall  piece  of  vtry  fine  gold,  which 
had  been  picked  up  in  the  fand  of  the  river;  and,  at  the  fame  time, 
advi£bd  hixn  to  fend  for  a  flcillful  metallurgifl,  as  he  wouki  probably 
di(cover  a  rich  mine  within  his  own  land  hereabouts.  To  this 
propofal  Mr.  Beckfbrd  made  no  pther  reply,  than  ^^  whilft.  we 
^  hav«  got  fo  profitable  a  mine  above  ground''  (pointing  to  the 
cane-pieces)^  ^^  we  will  not  trouble  ourielves  about  hunting  for  any 
<<  under  ground.''  And  he  was  certainly  to  be  commended  for  the 
prudence  of  his  anfwer ;  fince,  not-  to  mention  only  the  maoy  thou^ 
fand  of  Indians  and  Negroes  defiiroyed  by  the  Spaniards  in  Peru-  and 
Mexico  in  mining,  and  fb  little  to  the  advantage  either  of  indi« 
viduals  or  their  nation,  how  many  great  fortunes  have  there  not 
been  annihihtcdf  by  undertakings  of  this  fort,,  which  have  rarely 
yielded  a.  profit  in  the  end  conamenfiiisajte  ta  the.  heavy  e^peacea 
that  attended  the  conducing  of  them;  and  particularly  in  hot,  cli^ 
mates,  where  the  fubterraneous  vapours  are  known  to  be  o£  fb  ma^ 
ligiiant  a  nature,,  as  ta  kill,  or  at  leafl  difablc,  very,  fpeedily  the 
floutefl;  labourers  I  lam  aware,  that:  the  manner  of  procuririg 
gold  by 'means  of  Uvaderos  i$4iQt  liablei  tOt  ai>y  fuch  obji^ion.. 
it.is  neither,  ah  expenfive  nor  unhealthy  bufinefs ;  and  therefore^  if 
the  att  of.  difcoYCring  the  river  fand,  in. which. gold  has  generally 
beenJound,.  could  be  rj^vived  in  Jamaica,  by  fending  for  an  Indian 
pT:.  Spaniard  fufficie*jtly.  intelligent,  there  might  bp  np  h^m  in.  try^ 
it^^{otXK  experlmepts  with  the  fand  of.  thisjiver,  where^  it  has  ac-^ 
tually  been  found v.a?  wellaSsfome  ofhcyrs;  ia th/e  i(lapd^,wher$  it 
might  reafonably  be  expeded. 

Tha  mountains  abpupd .  with  copper  ore  of  various,  fpecies ;  >  tha 
green  anj^  livid  ore.;  and  the  fhining  d^rkore,  or  vitrious  C9pper« 
Thefe  two  kinds,  are  the  richcfl  as  jrct  difcovered  here,  and  thought 

ft^ual 


BOOK    11.     CHAP.     XI.  243 

equal  to  fbme  of  thofe  that  are  efteemed  the  of  firfl  clafs  in  Europe  ; 
the  matrix  in  which  they  are  engaged  anfwering  both  to  the  ham- 
mer and  fire  with  equal  eafe.  Two  mines  were  worked  for  fomc 
time  in  the  Liguanea  Mountains ;  but  neither  of  them  produced 
any  thing  correipondent  to  the  charges  that  attended  them.  The 
undertaking  was  too  important  for  two  private  men  of  no  very  ca- 
pital fortunes ;  and  perhaps  they  required  the  management  of  per- 
sons more  experienced  in  the  procefs.  It  ferved  only  to  convince  the 
curious,  thatfuch  metals  were  to  be  found  here;  and  this,  I  appre* 
hend«  is  ail  the  advantage  that  accrued,  either  to  the  proprietors,  or 
to  the  publick.  Yet  one  of  thefe  mines  was  faid  to  have  produced ; 
nolefs  than  a  ton  per  week;  but  perhaps  this  was  only  a  bubble  re* 
port,  or  the  harveft  was  ibon  at  an  end.  Schemes  of  this  kind 
are  moft  fuccefsfully  carried  on  by  large  companies,  or  aflbciations  s 
whoie  feveral  ftocks  united  would  bear  the  contingent  expence,  till 
the  work  is  brought  to  anfwer.  But  there  has  been  fuch  a  mul- 
titude of  frauds  and  knavilh  practices  committed,  from  time  to 
time,  in  mining-adventures,  that  fuch  projects  are  not  at  prefent 
likely  to  meet  with  any  countenance.  It  is,  however,  to  be  re- 
gretted, that  the  copper  and  lead  mines  in  this  ifland  had  not  been 
more  efie£tually  profecuted;  becauie,  upon  the  computation  that 
every  fugar  eftate,  which  produces  one  hundred  hogfheads^ 
annum f  muft  be  at  a  certain  expence  of  t^Lper  annum  for  copper 
and  lead  alone,  it  will  appear,  that  the  ifland  expends  45,000/.,  or 
thereabouts,  every  year,  in  theie  articles,  which  might  be  faved. 
The  Spaniards  certainly  were  more  intelligent,  or  met  with 
better  fuccefs ;  for  the  bells,  which  hung  in  the  Great  Church  at  St« 
Jago  de  la  Vega  when  the  Englifli  took  pofTeilion,  were  caft  of 
copper  produced  in  the  ifland.  Lead  ore  likewife  abounds  here^ 
richly  impregnated  with  iilver,  which  renders  the  iblution  of  it  in 
aquafortis  milky ;  but  it  is  not  found  in  any  regular  bodied  veins, 
which,  among  other  reafbns,  obliged  the  gentlemen,  who  had  beea 
engaged  in  the  lead-works  of  Liguanea,  to  drop  the  undertakings 
after  they  had  been  at  a  great  expence  in  building  a  very  compleat 
fet  of  works,  and  carried  <mi  the  manufadure  for  fbme  time.  The 
ore,  when  in  fermentation  with  aquafortis^  throws  up  a  coniide- 
rable  quantity  of  fulphur;  and  hence  it  has  been  conJeOured,  that 

lis  fomr 


144  JAMAICA. 

ibme  of  the  fulphureous  (prings  in  the  ifland  derive  their  qualities 
from  this  fource.  The  varieties  of  the  lead  ore  found  here  are  the 
fubgranulated,  linked  urith  filver;  the  lameliated,  fhining  ore,  ia 
the  fame  union  ;  the  black-glofly  ore,  linked  with  copper,  and  lefs 
impregnated  with  filver;  and  the  black,  lead  ore,  largely  admixed 
with  copper,  and  feldom  rich;  but  the  matrix  is  mellow,  andeafiljr 
fluxed  [/].     Stibium  has  been  frequently  found  in  thefe  lead  mines. 

Iron  ore  has  been  difcovered  in  itiany  parts  of  this  ifland ;  but 
the  very  large  quantities  of  black  fand»  which  are  thrown  on  many 
parts  of  the  South  fide  coafl,  efpecially  near  the  mouths  of  rivers^ 
having  been  hurried  down  by  floods,  are  much  more  acceiiible,  and 
with  little  pains.  This  fand  is  obfervable  almofl  every  where  in 
the  roads  and  gullies  after  hard ,  rains  ;  fo  that  the  foil  of  the  ia« 
vannahs,  as  well  as  that  of  the  mountains,  is  impregnated  with  it. 
The  inhabitants  ufe  it  in  common,  like  what  is  called  in  England 
the.  black  writing*fand.  It  is  freely  attrafted  by  the  magnet ;  but 
does  not  aafwer^  it  is  faid  [/],  with  the  acid,  or  fire.  However,  it 
muft  be  referred  to  future  experiment  to  difcdver,  whether  it  be 
Bot  endued  with  the  fame  properties  as  the  Virginia  black  (and  i 
particularly  as,  upon  trial  of  the  Virginia  fand  fome  years  ago  (a» 
account  of  which  is  given  In  Lowthorp's  Abridgement  of  the  Phi- 
lofbphical  Tranfadions,  voL  IL),  aquafortis  produced  no  ebullition^, 
and  fluxing  obtained  no  regulusy  nor  any  fubflance  that  would  apply 
tx>  the  magnet,  except  a  thin  crufl,  that  adhered  to  a  piece  of  char* 
coaU  .which  dropped  into  the  crucible  during  the  fufion«  For  which 
leafons,.  this  fand  <  was  imagined  to  be  very  flightly  engaged  with 
ir<xn  oit,  and  in  iuch  a  manner,  as  that  the  metallic  particles  could 
not  be  feparated  and  fixed  by  the  ufual  proceis.  But  Mr,  Home,, 
fufpeding  thefe  experiments  not  to  be  decilive,  conceived  that  the- 
£ind  was  not  altogether  and  fimply  iron ;  but  that  it  was  fbrongly 
united  with  a  very  flubborn,  fixed,  aiid  permanent  earth,,  which 
could  not  be  feparated  from  it  without  fome  extraordinary  as  weU 
as  powerful'  means.  The  ingenious  artift,  proceeding  upon  this* 
fuppolition,  fpread  about  eight  or  nine  ounces  of  the  fand;  unmixed 
with  any  addition,  upon  an  iron  plate,  over  a  fkong'  fire,  and  gavse 
it  a  very  powerful  torrefadtion^  or  roafUng,  to  try  i£  by  that  means* 

\f{  Browne^ 

be 


B  O  O  K    II.      C  H  A  p.    XI.  345 

he  could  not  relax  and  loofen  the  component  parts  to  fuch  a  degree, 
as  to  make  the  reparation  and  reduction  of  the  metal  more  eaiy,. 
when  he  (hould  bring  it  to  the  furnace.     He  then  mixed  it  up  with' 
a  flux  of  a  very  peculiar,  but  gentle  nature,  which  he  had  befora 
made  ufe  of  for  other  purpofes  with  great  fuccefs  [i],  and  com- 
mitted it  to  the  furnace,  where  he  urged  it,  by  a  very  ftrong  firei- 
for  about  three  hours,,  and  upon  taking  it  out  found  the  event  zn^ 
Iwerable  to  his  moft  languine  expectations  ;  for  in  the  bottom  of 
the  crucible  he  found  rather  more  than  half  of  the  fand  he  had  put 
in  reduced  to  a  very  fine,  malleable  metaL     Being  now  convinced 
that  the  fand  was  a  very  rich  iron  ore,  he  acquainted  fome  of  his 
friends  with  the   diicovery ;  who  being  largely  engaged  in  trade 
with  the  part   of   the  American  continent  from  whence  it  was 
brought,  he  hoped  the  gentlemen  in  that  part  of  the  world'  would, 
tn  confequence,  purfiie  experiments  with  it  on  a  more  extenfive 
plan.     And  he  informs  us,  that  Mr.  G.  Elliot  having  (ince  made 
trial  of  it,  the  event  proved  encouraging  much  beyond  his  expec^ 
ration  ;  infomuch^  that  eighty-three  pounds  of  the  fand  were  found 
to  produce  a  bar  of  excellent  iron,  weighing  fifty  pounds.     Mr. 
£lliot  fmelted   this^  iron,  in  a  commoa  bloomary,  in    the  fame 
manner  as  other  iron  ore  is  fmelted  i  excepting  this  difference,  that 
the  iron  fand  is  fo  pure,  and  fo  clean  wafhed,  that  there  is  not  a 
iiii&cient  quantity  of  cinder,  or  flagg,.  to  perform  the  fmelting ;  and 
he  was  therefore  obliged  to  add  either  the  flagg  which  iflues  from 
other  iron  ore,  or  elfe  ferae  bog- mine  ore,  which  abounds  with 
cinder.      la  this  way,  he  fays,    it  is  capable  of  being  wrought 
as  bog-ore,,  or  bog-mine.  There  is  fb  much  of  this  fand  in<  America,, 
that  be  thinks  there  is  more  iroi>ore  in  this  form  than  any  other.. 
The  fpecimens  of  iron,  feat  by  Mr,  Elliot  from  America,,  were 
tried  by  Mr.  Home,  and  found  to  poflefs  all  that  agreeable  tough- 
nefs  and  dudility  for  which  the  Spanifh  iron  is  fo  defervedly  fa- 
mous.    And  he  concludes  with  giving  his  opinion,  that,  by  this 
difcovery,  we  may  obtain  a  more  pure  and  better  kind  of  iron  than 
any  we  have  hitherto  been  poffeffed  of  [/J. 

If  the  experiments  of  thefe  geotlemuen  are  to  be  relied  upon,  the 
American  fand  yields  more  ia  value  than  the  richeft  and  beft  ore 

[^J  This  preparation  he  bas  noi  comnranicacdL  [i]  Horae'l  E&jstdh  Iron  and  Steel. 

.3,  hitherto 


\ 


a4«  JAMAICA. 

hitherto  found  in  Europe  ;  for  the  latter  ufuallj  produces  no  more 
•than  from  fixty  to  eighty  pounds  out  of  one  hundred  weight ;  and 
when  the  facility  of  colleding  the  American  fand,  without  the  la- 
t>our  of  much  digging,  is  taken  into  account,  together  with  the 
difpatch  and  little  expence  of  wa(hing  and  preparing  it  for  fufion, 
it  will  furely  juftify  this  claim  of  fuperiority.  It  may  therefore 
merit  enquiry,  whether  the  Jamaica  fand  does  not  contain  the  very 
fame  principles  which  there  is  every  rcafon  to  believe  it  docs ;  in 
%vhich  cafe,  it  may  become  an  article  of  profitable  export  to  Great* 
'Britain,  after  having  been  too  long  neglected  as  of  no  value, 

CHAP,     xir, 

SCHOOLS. 

THE  great  importance  of  education,  in  forming  the  manners, 
enlightening  the  minds,  and  promoting  the  Induftry  and 
liappinefs  of  a  people,  is  no  where  more  obvious  than  in  countries 
where  it  is  not  attainable.  It  at  once  excites  our  pity  and  regret, 
that  Jamaica,  an  ifland  more  valuable  and  extenfive  than  any  other 
of  the  Britifli  fugar-colonies,  (hould  at  this  day  remain  unprovided 
with  a  proper  feminary  for  the  young  inhabitants  to  whom  it  gives 
birth.  This  unhappy  defeft  may  be  looked  upon  as  one  of  the 
principal  impediments  to  its  effectual  fettlement. 

I  would  by  no  means  have  it  underftood,  that  I  mean  to  dirni* 
tiiih  any  emoluments  which  Great^-Britaiu  derives  from  this  co« 
lony :  I  am  fenfible,  that  the  education  of  the  Jamaica  youth  is  at* 
tended  with  an  yearly  gain  to  the  mother-country.  What  I  would 
fuggeft  is,  that  the  eftablifliment  of  one  or  more  feminaries  in  Ja- 
maica, upon  a  certain  circumfcribed  plan,  would  infallibly  prove  a 
means  of  augmenting  the  profits  which  Britain  draws  from  thence 
(though  not  in  the  very  fame,  yet  in  other  channels) ;  and,  if  fhe  is 
proved  to  gain  more,  it  matters  not  in  what  line. 

It  has  too  long  been  the  cuftom  for  every  father  here,  who  has  ac- 
quired a  little  property,  to  fend  his  children,  of  whatever  com- 
f/lexion,  to  Britain,  for  education.  They  go  like  a  bale  of  dry 
goods,  configned  to  fome  fador,  who  places  them  at  the  fchool 
where  he  himfelf  was  bnd,  or  any  other  that  his  inclinatioo  leads 

hiin 


book:  u.    chap.  xii.  247 

bim  to  prefer.    The  father,  in  the  mean  while,,  fends  remittance 
upon  remittance,  or  diredsa  liberals  allowance,  that  his  fon  may 
learn  the  art  of  fquandering  from  his  very  infancy ;  and,  not  unfre- 
quently,  to  gratify  a  little  pride  of  heart,  that  little  mafter  may  ap- 
pear the  redoubted  heir  to  aa  affluent  fortune.     But,  alas !  it  fome^^ 
times  happens,  that  he  (ends  no^  remittances :  by  which  unlucky 
omiffion,,  his  child  is  throwa  upon  the  hands  of  the  fa£tor,,  who 
thrx)ws  him  upon  the. hands  of  the  pedagogue;  and,  between  both,, 
the  poor  wrebch  undergoes  as  much  negleA  and  ill  ufage,  as  if  he. 
was  a  charity^-boy  s  and,  in  either  cafe,  too  often  comes   from  the. 
feet  of  Gamaliel  ignorant^  vicious,,  idle,  and  prodigal^   a  diigrace 
to  his  friends,  and  a.  nuifance  to.  his^  country.     Iffufieredto  remain* 
in  England,,  un^kr  the  notion  of:fim(hing  his  manners,  we  findv 
him,  in  the  other  vlew^  in  general  rolling  on  the.  wheels  of  money 
into  every  fpecies  of  townrdebauchery  ;/lavi{hing  in  one  week  what: 
would  maintain  a  poop  family  for  a  twelvemonth ;.  the  conflant. 
dupe  of  artifice;  the  fore  gudgeon  of  .every  knave  and  impoftor*. 

What  a  diiadvantagf^  is.it  toyoting  men,  of  naturally  ftrong  paf*' 
fions  and  lively  ^iHts,.^ that  they  have  not  the  watchful  attention, 
of  a  parent,  to  check  their  intert^perate  fallies,  to  condoft  them. 
intOi  the  tv.ays  of  prudence,  and  habituate  them  in  the  pradice  of 
felfrdcnial  L  How  much  to  be.  regretted, .  that  the  fond  father^ 
whijft  his  fon  thu^  remains  unemployed  in  ufeful  purfuifcs  during: 
the  ropft  hpadftrong  career  pf  his;  life,,,  is  wearing  hinifelf  out  with f 
ioceffant  toil-  and  anxiety,,  to  no  pther  efFedl  than  feeding  the  paf- 
fion?  of  jia  jfldftlentr or  profligate. fppndthrift  I;.  Without  a. parent,, 
or  jcnonitor,  at,bis.eJbow>  to  hpW  him.tindei!  djiie  atve^and.fubordi-* 
natioo,.  and  gratified  with  plentiful, fuppUesxif-money^  he  foon  ac-* 
knQwledg.e^  no  other  governor  th^i  his  own  inclination,. and  takes r 
pjeafure/ fpAbis  preceptor..-  Few  will  vienture  to  reftrain  him,  who/ 
oithtiT  doubt  thisir  duthoriity  to  contuovi)!,  .or  who  .fofpcft  .that  fuch> 
an  ixiterpofitio^i  fti^y  either  wes^rtbeappeirance-jof. too  fcrupulous  aii 
rigour, .  or  prove  dptritaental,  f6me.itimel<k:cther^  to  their  intercfti 
in  bufinefe,,  ,.;;:/. 

The ,  education  of  the: yo!titb»;  remitted  froito  r .this  ;fland  is,  in-  ge**  ► 
HeraJ,  fo.mifmanagfcd,»jhat,.wa»Kit.not  few  i^eir  inaate  good  qua*- 
IttteSf., AOt  one.  in  .ten.  w()uj.cj.jeysr  ardvie^t  ifee:,age:.of .  difcretion,  on 

returiXi 


•    • 


148  J    A    M    A    I    C    A* 

return  to  his  native  country  with  any  other  acquifition  than  the 
art  of  fwearing,  drinking,  dreffing,  gaming,  and  wenching.  It  is. 
Town,  a  laudable  zeal  in  a  parent,  who  is  felicitous  to  confer  on  his 
children  the  bleflings  of  liberal  education.  But  it  is  furely  a  paU 
pable  miftake,  that  leads  him  to  give  their  minds  a  wrong  turn ; 
and  really  pernicious  to  their  welfare,  that  they  ihould  be  brought 
up  in  a  manner  totally  unfuitable  to  their  future  flation.  He  (hould 
learn  to  diftinguifli,  that  to  train  up  his  fon  to  no  profeflion  is,  by 
no  means,  the  way  to  make  a  gentleman  of  him ;  ^dly,  that,  if  he 
intends  him  for  a  profeflion,  the  fyftem  of  his  education  (hould  be 
particularly  adapted  to  it;  jdly,  that  to  affign  him  aprofeilion,  and 
at  the  fame  time  leave  it  in  his  own  free  choice  to  apply  to  the 
fludy  of  it  or  not,  or  to  furaifli  him  with  the  inftruments  of  idle* 
nefs  and  diflipation,  when  his  mind  Ihould  be  engaged  in  the  pur* 
fuits  of  uieful  knowledge,  is  no  more  than  enjoining  him  to  per* 
form  a  ta(k,  and  bribing  him  at  the  fame  time  to  leave  it  unper* 
formed  ;  4thly,  that  one  uniform  plan,  or  fyftem,  of  fcholaflic  in- 
ftru£lion  cannot  be  indiicriminately  proper  ifor  all  youths,  however 
various  their  fortunes,  capacities,  or  the  refpeftive  walks  of  life 
into  which  they  are  afterwards  to  pafs% 

Let  me  now  afk,  what  are  the  mighty  advantages  which  Britain, 
or  the  colony,  has  gained  by  the  many  hundreds  who  have  received 
their  education  in  the  former  ?  The  anfwer  may  be,  they  have 
fpent  their  fortunes  in  Britain,  and  learned  to  renounce  their  native 
place,  their  parents,  and  friends.  Would  it  not  have  been  better 
for  both  countries,  that  three-fourths  of  them  had  never  crofled 
the  Atlantic?  Their  induftry  is,  in  general,  for  ever  loft  to  the 
place  where  it  might  have  been  ufefully  exerted ;  and  they  wafte 
their  patrimony  in  a  manner  that  redounds  not  in  the  leaf):  to  the 
national  profit,  having  acquired  a  tafle  for  pleafure  and  extravagance 
of  every  kind,  far  foperior  to  the  ability  of  their  fortunes.  Surely 
this  can  be  no  public  acquifition,  unlefs  it  be  proved,  that  the  king- 
dom is  more  enriched  and  benefited  by  a  thoughtlefs  prodigal,  than 
by  a  thrifty,  iuduftrious  citizen.  The  education  they  ufiially  re- 
ceive in  Great-Britain  does  not  qualify  tbera  for  ufeful  employment 
in  Jamaica,  unlefs  they  zt6  bred  tx>  fome  of  the  learned  profeffioos ; 
which  neyerthelefs  are  not  fuitable  to  all^  becaufe  thofe  profeflions 

would 


BOOK    IL       CHAP.    XII.  ^4^ 

would  fbon  be  overftocked  in  the  ifland,  if  every  youth'  configncd 
from  thence  was  to  be  trained  to  phyfick,  divinity,  or  law,  and 
t)ecaufe  ^x  quovis  Vtgno  non  fit  Mercurius.  They  generally  leave 
Britain  at  that  critical  age  when  the  blood  beats  high.  They  re- 
gret  their  exile  from  the  gay  delights  of  London,  from  the  connec- 
tions of  early  friendfhip,  and  perhaps  the  fbfter  attachments  of 
love.  The  impreflions  of  all  thefe  remain  lively  and  forcible. 
With  this  riveted  prejudice  againll  a  colony-life,  it  i^is  not  to  be 
wondered  at,  that  they  embrace  the  firft  convenient  opportunity  of 
returning  to  their  favourite  purfuits  and  focial  intimacies.  Such  is 
often  the  over-fond  liberality  of  Weft-India  parents,  in  ordering  a 
too  large  allowance  for  their  fons  in  Britain,  that  thefe  youths  are 
not  only  invited  by  this  means  to  negle£l  their  ftudies,  and  com- 
mence men  of  pleafure,  but  are  readily  elevated  into  a  deftruftive 
opinion,  that  they  have  been  fent  thither  merely  to  pafs  away  their 
time  agreeably,  and  that  it  is  not  meant  they  (hould  perplex  them^ 
lelves  with  dry  and  abftrufe  literature,  as  their  fortune  will  enable 
them  to  live  independent  of  fcience  or  bufinefs.  Senfible  there- 
fore of  their  exemption  from  paternal  reftraint,  they  joyoufly  ad* 
here  to  this  conclufion,  and  follow  the  fedu^ions  of  levity,  caprice^ 
and  vicious  indulgence,  without  refleAion^  Of  the  many  ftudents 
at  law,  natives  of  Jamaica,  who  after  compleating  their  terms  in 
London  have  returned  to  aflume  the  gown,  I  have  not  heard  of  one 
who  ever  gained  5  /.  a  year  by  his  pradlice.  This  iffue  we  muft  not 
afcribe  to  any  defefl:  of  parts,  but  to  a  youth  fpent  in  foppery,  li- 
centioufnefs,  and  prodigality,  under  a  total  renunciation  of  every 
other  ftudy.  Many  I  have  noted,  who,  arriving  there  after  having 
(as  it  is  called)  fimjbed  their  eduction  in  England,  appeared  un- 
pardonably  illiterate,  and  pofleflcd  of  few  attainments  beyond  what 
I  have  already  enumerated.  Some  I  have  obferved,  who,  being 
endued  with  tolerable  genius,  acquired  more  real  knowledge  and 
gentlemanly  accomplifliments,  in  one  twelvemonth  after  their  ar- 
rival,  than  they  had  gained  by  fixteen  years  refidence  in  London ; 
and  this  from  being  led  at  once  into  a  fcene  of  public  bufmefs,  and 
the  company  and  converfatioo  of  intelligent  men.  Having  pointed 
out  fome  principal  ifources  of  that  imperfect  education  which  our 
young  men  in  general  receive,  I  (hall  add  a  few  thoughts  in  refpeft 
Vol.  1L  K  k  to 


*5e  JAMAICA. 

to  the  other  fex.    If  a  feminary  in  this  ifland  is  expedient  for  hoy^^ 
it  is  ftill  more  fo  for  girls.     The  neceflary   branches  of  their  in- 
ftrudlion  ufually  lie  within  a  fmall  compafs.     They  require  not  the 
elements   of  Greek,  Latin,,  or  Hebrew ;  .nor  the  precepts  of  the 
univerfity,  nor  the  theory  of  the  fciences,  mechanic  arts,  or  learned 
profeffions.      Residing,  writing,   arithmetic,  needlework^   dancing, 
and  mufic,  will,  with  the   additional   helps  of  their  own  genius^ 
prepare  them  for  becoming  good  wives  and  mothers.     There  are 
many  parents  in  this  ifland,    who,  having  a  numerous  family  of 
children  of  both  fexes,  and  barely  able  to  afford  their  fons  an  edu- 
cation in  Britain ;  they   either  fend  for  a   governante,  to  inftrudi 
their  daughters,  or  keep   them  uninftrudled,  except  by  fuch  cafual 
•tuition  as  may  be  had  from  itinerant  mpfic  or  dancing  aaafters.     The- 
utility  of  a  boardiiig-fchool  for  thefe  girls,  where  their  iiumber 
might  admit  of  employing  the  ableft  teachers,  where  they  might 
be  weaned  from  the  Negroe  dialetSl,  improved   by  .emulation,  and 
^gradually  habituated  to  a  modeft  and  polite  belufcvioiir^. needs  not^ 
I  think,  any  argument  to  prove   it.     Yomig  ladies,  fo  far  acec«x]Lr 
•plifhed  as,  I  think,  they  might  be  on  a  well*condu6:ed  plan,  would 
iufeniibly  acquire,  on  their  emerging  into  public  lifct  the  remaining 
graces  ar^l  polilh  which  are  to  be  attained  in  genteel  company  and 
converfation.     They  would,  by  this  means,  become  objcdls  pf  love 
to  the  deferving  youths,  whether  natives  pr  E^ropeans^  and  by  the 
force  of  their  pleafing  attra£lions  foon  draw  them,  from  a  loole  atr- 
tachment  to   Blacks  and   Mulattoes,^  into  the  more  cat^nai  and 
happy  commerce  of  nuptial  nniom 

Upon  enquiry,  in  the  year  1764,  into  the  ftate  of  the  £byeral 
foundations  in  rthis  ifland,  it  appeared  that  coniiderrable  fums  had 
been  given  and  bequeathed  for  the  purpose  of  erefting  free-^&hools  ; 
fome  of  which  remained  unapplied ;  and  others  had  been  fo  ilt- 
managed^  that  the  public  derived  but  very  triyial  advantage  irom 

them. 

Thefe  foundations  are; 

2  ft.  Manning^s,  in  Weftmorcland,  founded  in  i/lo^ 
2d.  One  in  Vere,  by  charitable  donations,  1 740. 
3d.  In  Spanifh  Town,  by  devife  of  Peter  Beckford,  eifq;  1 744^ 
4th.  In  Kingfton,  by  devife  of  John  Woollmer^  goldfmith,  i  y^6^ 

2  5th^  At 


BOOK    If.      CHAP.      XII.  »5f 

5th.  At  HalfWay-Trce,  St.  Andrew'a,  by  devifc  of  Sir  Nicholas 
Laws,  i<595.  He  gave  two  acres  and  a  half  of  land,  with  a  houfe 
for  a  free-fehool;  conditioDing,  that  any  parifliiouer,  paying  5/. 
per  annum^  or  50/.  down,  towards  advancement  of  the  fchool, 
might  fend  his  child  thither  for  inftrudion.  This  donation,  by  a 
law  pafled  in  1738,  was  eftablifhcd,  under  the  controul  of  go- 
vernors, to  make  regulations,  appoint  teachers,  &c.;  but  I  do  not 
find  that  it  fucceeded. 

6th.  At  Old  Woman's  Savannah,  in  Clarendon,  by  a  donation 
of  three  acres  of  land,  and  fundry  fubfcriptions,  1756. 

7th,  About  1769,  or  1770,  Martin  Rufea,  of  theparifh  of  Han- 
over^  devifed  his  eftat?e,  confining  chiefly  of  perfonalty,  for  erefting 
and  eftabU(hing  a  free-fchool  in  that  pari(h ;  but  the  particular  va- 
lue of  this  donation,  does  not  yet  appear.  The  affembly,  however, 
have  (hewn  a  defire  to  promote  it,  by  granting  500/.  towards  its 
eftablifliment. 

AH  thefe  foundations,  except  that  at  Old  Woman's  Savannah, 
were  limited  to  receive  boys  of  the  refpeftive  parifli  in  which  they 
lay;  which,  together  with  their  bad  regulation,  has  been  a  prin- 
cipal caufe  of  their  failing.  None  promifed  to  weU  to  anfwer,  on 
a  general  plan,  as  that  at  Old  Woman's  Savannah,  (ituated  as  it  was 
in  a  very  healthy  climate,  in  the  centre  of  the  ifland,  and  in  the 
xnidft  of  feveral  fmall  fettlements.  No  lefs  than  2000/.  was  raiied 
by  vohintary  fobfcription  for  carrying  on  the  neceflary  buildings. 
About  the  year  1758,  it  was  opened,  and  condufled  fuccefsfully  for 
about  feven  years.  The  air  was  found  fo  healthy,  that,  out  of 
eighteen  youths,  the  difciples  of  the  laft  preceptor,  not  one  was 
afflicted  wrth  any  fever  or  acute  diftemper  during  their  refidence  in 
it.  But,  at  the  time  when  this  academy  was  brought  to  a  tolerable 
ftate  of  maturity,  it  all  on  a  fudden  fell  into  decline  under  feveral 
impediments.  The  firft  was  the  fmall  allotment  of  land,  which 
was  not  fufficient  to  enable  the  matter  to  keep  cows  or  (heep,  or 
rear  poultry,  for  the  neceflary  fubfiftence  of  his  boarders;  fecondly, 
the  great  difficulty  (under  this  circumftance)  of  getting  provifions; 
thirdly,  the  total  want  of  fome  certain  eftabliflied  fund,  to  afford  a 
falary  for  the  head-mafter,  and  keep  the  buildings  in  repair.  The 
aflembly,  in  1764,  taking  into  confideration  the  means  by   which 

K  k  2  this 


2SZ  JAMAICA. 

tl^is  femlnary  might  be  rendered  more  effectual,  propofed  to  place- 
it  under  the  public  fanftion,  and  appoint  goyernors  and  truftees  by 
Jaw.     They   likewife   intended,  that  one   hundfei  acres  of  land 
fliould  be  purchafed  contiguous  to  the  fcliool ;  and  that  twenty 
acres  fliould  be  cleared  and  fenced;,  and  500 /i  be  granted  to  truftees 
for  this  purpofe ;    and,    being  of   opinion   that    50/*  fjer  atmum^, 
though  as  little  as  could  be  allowed  for  fchooling,  board,  wafliing,« 
and  lodging,  was  too  large  a  fum  for  perfons  of  middling  fortunes* 
and  numerous  families  to  afford,  they  propofed  that  the  mafter  fhould 
give  board,    wafliing,  and  lodging,,  for  30/.. a  year,,  and.  education, 
for  20/.,  of  which  no>mere  than  5/..  to-  be  paid  by  the  refpe&ive  pa- 
rents, or  guardians;  and  the  remaining  1 5/.  by  the  public.     Such, 
were  their  good  intentions  ;  which,,  if  carried  to  effisdt,.  might  have 
rendered  this  a  very  flourifhing  inftitution..    But,   before  any  bilL 
could  be  framed,  the  houfe  became  involved  in  a  hot  difpute  with, 
the  governor,  which  was  followed  with  feveral  diffolutions,  and  an, 
utter  interruptioil  of  bufinefsfor-  a  year  and  half;  aftex  which,  fuch 
a  variety  of  oUier  matters  called  for   prefent  attention,  that  this, 
affair  was  net  refumed.     In  the  mean  while,,  the  mafter^  for  want 
of  the  public  fupport,   of  which  lue  began  to  deipair„  found  himfel£ 
under  neceffity  of  quitting  it,    and  of  betaking  himfelf  to  fome. 
other  employment,  that  might  yield  him  a  better  maintenance.     la 
confequence  of  his  refignation,  the  buildings,  on>  which  fo  no^uch^ 
money  had  been   expended,    remained  without   a  tenant:,  and,  in, 
1767,  the  land  and  buildings  were  vefted,^  by  a£i  of  aflembly,  im 
trufiees,  with  atpowcr  tofelLthefame,  and  apply  the  money  to  the. 
purchafeof  land  and  eredHop  of  a  fchool-houfe  infome  other  part 
of  the  parifh.     The  preamble  of  the  a£l  alledges,.  that  the  iituatioii; 
had  been  found  improper:,  but  this  remains  to  be  proved^ 

If  the  affembly  (hould  hereafter  be  convinced  of  the  very  many- 
benefits  which  this  ifland  might  reap  from  a  well-concerted  plan: 
of  this  nature ;  there  is  no  part  o£  it  better  calculated  for  a  gublic; 
fchool  than  this  Savannah.*. 

The  principal  points  refpeding  iituation.are;; 

I  ft.  That  it  ftiouldbe  retired,  free  from  the  contamination  o£ 
tfiofe  vices  which  infeft  towns  and  places  of  much  public  refbrt., 

2diy^  ThatiLftiQuld.be  on  a  dry,  healthy  fpot,  in  an  air  entirely 

free 


BoaK  iL.    e«AP.    xm  isj. 

froitt  fwampy  and  other  noxious  exhalations ;  and  fupplied  with. 
pQxe  and  wholefome  water,  for  drinking  and  culinary  ufes- 

jdly.  That  it  fhould  be  in  the  near  neighbourhood  of  feveral 
minor  fettlenaenta,  for  the  convenience  of  procuring  fmall  flock 
and  other  neceffary  provifions. 

4thly,  That  the  roads  leading  to  it  fliould  be.  good  and' 
paflable. 

Every  one  of  thefe  requifites  are  enjoyed  at  Old  Woman's  Sa-- 
vannah.     Nor  is  it  in  any  of  them  liable  to  objedlion,.  except  that- 
the  road  leading  to  Old  Harbour  is  fo  long,  as  to  reader  the  car- 
riage of  goods  from  thence  in  general, tedious.     Yet  this  difficulty 
wou^d  e>fily  be  furmounted,  if  eftabli(hed  prices  were  formed  for. 
the  carriage  of  goods,  as  there  are  feveral  teams  \yhich  conftantly . 
ufe  thid.road';.  or  a  (horttr carriage  might  be  opened  to  St.  Anne*s. 
Bay.     I  propoie,  therefore,  that  a  fquare  fhould  be  laid  out  here,, 
about  the  fize  of  the  parade  in  Spani(h  Town»    On  one  fide  of  it. 
fhould  ftand  theifehool-houfe.;  oppoiite  to  this,  a  cliapeU  for  the. 
regular  perfpmiai^ce  of  diyine  fervice.     The  Eajftcrn  fide  of  the . 
fquare  fhould  be  occupied  with  the  mafler's  dwelling-houfe  ;.  and; 
in  each  of  its  wings  a  convenient  fuite  of  apartments,  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  boarders.     Facing  this  range  of  buildings  fhould  . 
he  difpofcd  fome  convenient  offices.. 

One  hundred  acres  of  land  contiguous  fhould  be  purchafed  by 
the  puWic;  and  part  of  it  cleared,  fenced,  and  properly  laid  out. 
for  paflurage^  and  other  ufes.  To  which  fliould  be.  added,  fix  cows, 
and  a  fmall  flock  of  fheep^.  Eight  or  ten  Negroes  fhould  like  wife: 
be  provided,,  to  be  under  the.  care  of  a  white  overfeer^  at  80?  or. 
j^oo I.  per  annum  wages,  to  clear  the, land,,  rejjair  fences  and  roads,, 
and  do  other  neceljary  work. 

The  mafber,  fhoulid  b?  under  the  controul.  of  a  certain  n^imber.  of* 
truflecs;  the  governor  for  the  time  being  to  be  one ;  a  quorum  of 
whom>  fhould  annually  meet  at  the  fchool,.  to.  examine  the  condi-- 
tion  andc  management  of  it,  with  full  power  to  reiflify  abufes,.  dif- 
charge  the  mafler,  and  appoint  in  his  room ;  and  to  lay  a  flate  of 
riieir  proceedings  before  the  legiflature  at  their  annual  feffion.. 

For  the  better  protedion . of  the  boys,  and. to  guard  againfl  any 
calamity  likely  to  happen  from  infurreftions  among  the  Negroes*. 

a.defenfibla 


2.54  JAM    A-    I   C    A, 

adfeftttfible  bamck  (hould  be  built  at  a  coB^nientdiftaoctf^  ufl^Sfe 
a  party,  either  of  foldiers  or  militia,  (hould*  always  be  kept'  oil 
duty.  This  garrifon  would  anfwer  a  double  purpofe,  by  giving 
like  wife  a  proteftion  to  this  part  of  the  country^,  which  requires  it;* 
and*  would  have  the  further  advantage  of  being  one  of  theheaU 
thteft  cantonments  in  the  whole  ifland.  , 

For  the  better  fupply  of  this  garrifon  and  the  fchool,  a  Negroe 
market  (hould  be  held  here  once  a  week,  for  poultry^  hogs,  and 
fuch  other  provifions  as  thefc  people  ufually  deal  in, 

A  certain  number  of  white  fervants  (hould  be-  conflsmtly  kept, 
in  proportion  to  the  number  of  boarders,  that  the  latter  might  not, 
by  a  too^arly  familiarity  and  intercourfe  with  theNegtoes,  aA^pt 
their  vices  and  broken  Englilh. 

The  articles  to  be  taught  here  (hould  be  re(lrifted  to  reading, 
writing,  arithmetic  (including  book-keeping),  the  Spanifh  and 
French  languages,  furvcying,  mechanics,  together  perhaps  with 
fuch  inftrudtions  in  agriculture  and  botany  as  relato  to  the  im- 
provement of  the  vegetable  productions  of  the  iflandr  The  pu- 
pils might  likewi(e  be  taught  mufic,  dancing,  fencing,  acid  the  mi* 
litary  manual  exerci(e,  to  qualify  the'm  the  better  for  a  courfe  of 
!  life  which  requires  agility  and  ilrength  of  body,  and  occafionally 
the  ufe  of  arms.  The  expences  of  boarding,  wa(hing^  lodging, 
and  tuition,  fliould  be  regulated  by  law  upon  juft  and  equitable 
terms,  fuitable  to  the  general  price  of  neeelTaries^  .and  the  circum- 
:(tances  of  the  middling  inhabitants*  Nor  would  it  be  ar  mif- placed 
generolity,  if  the  public  (hould  contribute  a  certain  allowance  to*- 
ward^  the  education  of  each  boy ;  or  at  lead:  certain  falaries  to  the 
jrtafter  and  his  aififlants,  which  would  enable  them  to  carry  on  the 
undertaking  on  terms  better  fuited  to  the  ability  of  patents. 

Reftrlding  the  fcheme  of  education  t-o  «hefe  limits,  I  purpofely 
^exclude  all  tho&  youths,  wh!o(e  fortuned  qualifying  them  for  ti^e 
learned  profeflions,  or  to  cultivate  tho(e  fublimer  degrees  of  erudi« 
tion  proper  to  their  rank,  ought  to  pur(ue  fuch  (Indies  in  Europe, 
or  North- America,  becaufe  it  were  vain  to  txpcOt  that  they  could 
attain  them  to  a  due  accompli(hment  in  this  ifland 

I  confine  the  plan  to  the  children  of  perfons  who  do  not  look  (b 
high,  and  who  would  be  content  to  (ee  their  fens  virtuoufly  trained 

under 


BO  ox   H.    CHAP.    XIL  25^ 

vnder  their  own  eje^  aiid  at  a  moderate  expence,  to  fuch  braiiche?^ 
of  knowledge,  as  may  qualify  them  to  be  induftrious  planters,  fur- 
yeyors,  book-keepers,  mechanics,  ufeful  members  of  this  commu- 
aity,  rather  than  be  fhipped  off  to  .Britain  ;  from  whence  it  is  a 
great  chance,  but  they  might  return  with  a  thorough  averfion  to^ 
jpr  incapacity  for,  thefe  or  any  other  laudable,  employments.  And 
here  let  me  remark  a  little  on  the  felfifii . fnd. illiberal  fentiments  of 
thofe  men*  who,  in  the  exubecance  of  their  cantriyauces  for  en- 
xiching  the  mother-country,  oppoie, every  eftabliflinjent  for  educa- 
tion  in  the  colonies,  decry  them  as  injurious  to  the  xot9re{l  of  Bri^- 
tain,  and  would  fain  have  the  whole, gqieratjon  .of  infants  regur 
larly  fliipped  home  to  karn  their  A,,B,-C.,  Thefe  politicians  ^re 
not  fathers,  or  at  leaft  have  their  bofbms  ia  Heele^  wxtli  .avarice,, 
jas  to  have  loft  all  feeling  for  their  fellow-fubjedts  in  thefe  remote 
parts.  The  gain,  ndade  by  the  paffage  of  thefe  poor  ipfants,  is,  it 
>s  true,  in  favour  of  the  balance  arifing  to  Great-Britain  from  her 
freight.  But  Jet  this  pitiful  earning  ;be^  we^hed  ^againft  the  ha- 
zard of  their  lives,  ,and  the  extjeipe  ,^gony  which  lb  many  tender 
jparcnts  muft  fuffer  at  parting^  .jthrough  ^  crjuel  necefiity,  fron^ 
their -.beloved  offspring,  which^  perhaps  they  never  m^  fee  ^gaiq- 
£lxdnfive  of  humanity,  this  circumftance  muil.alfahe  contem«- 
plated,  in  the  view  of  focial  policy,  as  a  bitter  grievance,  .whicb 
to  avoid,,  many  perfoos  have  d[^pljped  contra^ir^g  m^ppge^  le^  they 
ihould  thereby  be  driven  into  a  diftrefs  faieve]:e  ^  .and  which  has 
forced  others,,  under  the  intolerance  of  ilich  a  ^par^ion,  to  .leave 
the  colony  j)rematurtely,  inftead  of  .devoting .  themfelves,  as  other* 
wife  they  would  have  done,  to  the  further  improvenxent  of -their 
.eftatcs.  So  that,  in  confequ^nce  of  this  local  <^efe£l!,  the  ifland  is 
become  far  lefs  populous  and  .cultiyated  than  we  (hould  find  it,  if 
jprovifion  had  been  made  for  retaining  both  the  parents  an,d  theiir 
-children  within  it 

I  (hall  now  fuppofe  a  feniinary  properly  founded  in  the  ifland^ 
and  happily  conduced  on  fuch  a  plan,  as  that  the  middlii^  lami*- 
,lies  nxight  think  th^^^l^^s  .uqder  .no  fuch  neceflity  of  fending  their 
children  to  other  countries  fer  a  decent  educatioa:  and  becaufei  for 
better  illtrftrating  the  argument,  we  muft  endeavour  to  fit  fome: 

.certain  number  pf  them  ]tp  bp  fo. retained  ,in  th^  ifl^Q^^  l^!^  this^ 

number 


356  JAMAICA. 

number  be  called  two  hundred,     I  (hall  be  told,  that  thcfe  hcfy^^ 
If  fent  to  England,  might  probably  expend  there  30/.  fterling^^r 
liead  per  annum,  one  with  another,  In  cloathmg,  food,  &c.  to  the 
amount  of  6000/.     But,  on  the  other  hand,  if  we  fuppofe  thefe 
toys  to  remain  in  Jamaica,  will  it  not  be  found,  that  Oreat-Britain 
Avould  gain  full  as  much  by  them  in  fimilar  articles^     The  dif- 
ference of  climate  will  certainly  require  double  at  Icaft  the  quan- 
tity of  articles  for  closithing  every  year,  and  of  a  much  more  ex- 
penfive  fabric ;    their  books,  and  many  hems  of  food  and  accom- 
modation, muil  he  procured  from  Biitain  at  an  enhanced  price :  fo 
that,  if  any  tiling  near  an  exaS  dKmate  cduld  be  framed,  it  muft, 
1  think,  appear  very  convincingly,  that  thefe  children  would  con- 
sume a  much  greater  quantity,  t)r  value,  of  Britifli  raanufaftures 
and  products  by  flaying  in  Jamaica,  and  confequently  conduce  more 
to  the  national  profit  in  this  way,  than  if  they  had  been  tranf-' 
ported  into  Britain*     But  it  is  to  be  further  confidered,  that  every 
ope  of  thefe  natives  of  the  ifland  wiH  be  equal  to  two  unfeafoned 
Europeans  in  ability  toxindergo  the  fatigues  of  bufinefs  and  labo- 
rious exercifes  here;  be  better  qualified,  by  gradual  initiation  from 
iheir  infancy,,  to  underftand  and  execute  the  ufcful  plans  of  life 
for  which  they  are  defignedi  that  they  will,  by  habit  and  nature, 
prefer  this  country  to  every  other,  and  therefore  diligently  fettle 
thenrielves  in  it.    The  ifland,  it  is  -evident,  would,  in  the  progrefs 
of  one  generation  only,  conrtain  a  far  greater  number  of  families 
than  it  now  poflcffes ;  it  would  be  much  more  extenfively  fettled ; 
"and  Great-Britain  would  gain,  in  courfe,  a  proportional  accefs  of 
profit,  by  their  confumption  of  manufaftures,  their  ingenuity,  and 
improvements.      I  am  warranted    in   drawing   this  confequence; 
lince  it  is  well  known,  that  a  family,  refiding  in  Jamaica,  confumes 
more  of  Britifli  manufadlures,  and  gives  employment  to  many  more 
fubjeds  in  Great-Britain,  than  the  fame  family  would  do,  was  it 
tranlplanted  into  that  kingdom  [m].     So  much  for  the  objeftions 

which 


Im]  We  may  apply*  upon  dits  occafion,  what  a  modern  writer  has  Md  on  anocfaer.  Let  us 
ikppde  a  tmBt  of  country  diat  yields  a  rent  of  ;o,ooo  /.  a  year ;  die  whtAe  of  which  is  enjoyed 
hy  one  great  nuuu  In  all  probability)  above  40  of  the  ^o  is  (peat  in  the  Gapitnl)  in  a  profufion 
of  elegancies ;  flowing  into  the  pockets  of  the  indufirious,  it  is  true»  but  the  indufhious  in  what? 
i»hyi  the  famiihers  of  loxunous  eataUes,  deficatex^okeiy,  «nd  Frendi  wines;  the  exhibitois  of 

public 


BOOK    n.-    eHAP.    XII.  ^^'; 

^ic^  ^  ^o,.br,  expeded  from  that  quarter.  Some  of  more  weight 
n^^y^ai^iff  ih^  -^hae  ifland  Ufelf,  by  reafon  of  the  expence  attending 
fuchan  eftaUifinneut ;  but,  in  fome  degree  to  obviate  this,  I  would 
propofe  the  confolidating  of  all  the  foundations  and  charity-fchools, 
wbofe  iqcorj^es  ynitjed  would  greatly  contribute  to  fupport  the  nt\<r 
iof^itutton^  although,  iu  their  prefent  ftate,  they  are  of  very  little 
oth^r  Mfp  th^n  the  bedowing  fo  many  annuities  upon  five  or  fix 
perfbns  under  the  title  of  fchoolmafters. 

The  income  of  Spaniih  ToA^n  fchool  is  about   JT,  190  per  am.  and 
has  rarely  extended  to  more  at  a  time  than  —  14  boys. 

Woolmer>,  in  Kingfton^     — —     ■    ■  ■■, 300         1 5 

yere  Schooj>       r— •  ■     !.  '■  ■    ■       300  6 

Manning's  (I  fuppofe  about  the  fame),      ^^^^^^      300        .  6 
Of   the.  reft;  I  am  xfot  informed,   but  believe      ■     .■         *~ 
they  are  entirely  dropped.  £.      1090        41 

l^ot  therefore  to  fpeak  of  the  reft^  here  are  four  fchools,  with  as 
many  dif^a]it  mafters ;  all  of  whom  have  regular  falaries,  although 
their  pupils  arei  all  tc^ether,  not  amounting  to  one  half  the  number 
which  one  matter  in  EnglaiKl  is  able  enough  to  take  charge  of. 

Tbefe,  and  all  other  unexecuted  benefadions  of  the  like  kind, 
being  lumped  into  one  fund,  the  propofed  fchool  fhould  be  open 
to  receive  as  many  foundation-boys  from  each  refpedive  town,  or 
parifli,  as  they  had  been  ufually  known  to  have  at  their  refpedive 
free*fchool,  one  year  with  another  $  and  upon  the  very  fame  terms 
of  board,  maintenance,  and  inftruftion*:  by  which  equitable  per- 
miffion,  no  injury  would  accrue  to  thefe  pariflies;  but,  at  the  fame 
time>  it  is  prefumed^  that  the  good  intentions  of  the  feveral  tefta* 
tors,  and  other  benefa£tQrs^  would  be  much  better  fulfilled. 

jpablic  ihciiit'  and  entettainitiehtt ;  Itdian  fingen,  and.  Ffentb  danicen ;  ihe  iodufiriout  gentiy  of 
Newmarktt  and  White's }  .in  a  Word,  in  the  en^GiumgemenC  of  precifely.tfaat  fpedea  of  Indufiiy 
which  18  pernicious  to  the  welfare  of  a  kingdom*    Thus  the  income  of  this.traft  of  land  is  ex- 
I  pcnded  veiy  littte  to  the  behefit  of  the  kingdom  at  Urge,  or  the  ipot  m  particular. 

Adjoining  to  this  fpot  lies  anodier  of  thd  iame  rent,  but  bebnging  to  a  thouiand  freeholdeOi  of 
goL  fer  mm*  cachf  liring  in  their  neat   maniions  on  dieir  rents  in  the  nndflof  as  many,  or 
perhaps  more,  tenants*    What  a  population  is  here !  and  what  a  confumption  of  neceflary  manu*- 
fiSures,  and  home-produfts !  What  a  diffiMTence'to  the  public  between  the  ends  of  fach  indoffay  1 
the  one  is  for  ever  exerted  to  the  aoftbenefidalpuipofea;  the  other^  to  the  moft  pernicious  ones. 

PoLiT.  Ess* 

y^ot.H.    ■•••  ••  •'••■■-!■•  -■■  'L.!--'--.  ••  .-i         It 


258  •'      J-  A  -M^    A   ^I    ti    iAi^ 

It  is  aftonifhihg  to  obfcrve  the  gentlemen  of  thk  ifland  (b  laviifb 
in  fome  refpcfts  of  public  money,  and  fo  inattentive  at  the  fame 
time,  to  a  matter  of  this  interefting  concern ;'  for  what  can  be  more 
fo,  than  to  wean  the  inhabitants  from  that  detrimental  habit  of  emi* 
gration,  that  unhappy  idea  of  confidering  this  place  a  mere  tem- 
porary abode,  efpecially  as  fuch  numbers  are,  from  unexpeded 
turns  in  life,  laid  under  a  neceflity  of  remaining  in  it,  and  bringing 
up  a  race  of  children,  whom,  for  want  of  a  feminary,  they  no 
fooner  begin  to  take  delight  in,  than  they  arc  forced  to  wifli 
they  could  erafe  from  their  remembrance*  Thefe  very  people 
have  not  hefitated  to  difburfe  near  70,000/.  in  the  ^ace  of  nine 
years  upon  fortifying  the"  ifland,  Tvho  never  thought  of  voting  a 
feventieth  part  of  that  fum  towards  rendering  it  miich  ibbre  eflen« 
tiallyfecure,  "and  miich  better  protedted,  by*  falling  dn  eafy  nieans 
of  making  it  populous.  The  condition  of  the  North-Americans^ 
would  at  this  time  have  been  deplorable  indeed,  if  they  had  been 
equally  improvident.  But  it  is  a  proof  of  their  wif^om  imd  re- 
gard for  pofterity,  that  in  every  one  of  their  townihips,  tflere  1s» 
provifion  made  for  a'fchoolmafter ;  fo  that  the  lowefe  of  their  ped*- 
pie  are  not  left  deftitutc  of  fome  education.  For  th6fe  of  more  li- 
beral  fortune,  there  arc  colleges  founded  under  able  piweflbrs  ; 
Where  phifofophy  has  already  dawned  with  a  luftre  that  afloniflites^ 
the  oldeft  focieties  of  the  learned  in  Europe,  and  commands  their 
mofttefpedlful  attention:  It  is  ihoekibg  to  think,  that,  through: 
a  defcft  of  this  generous  fprrit,  or  a  want  of  fteddincfs  and  reCo^ 
lution^  lib  foch  meafures  have  yet  been  efpoufed  in  our  iiland.. 
But  our  hearts  muft  bleed,  \Vhen  we  reSed  oti  the  many  unfor* 
tunate  children  who  have  perrfhed;  fome  by  (hipwreck  ;  fome  by 
aexplofion|^»] ;  others  by  ilegled  tfiftec  their  arrivalrin  Englaad^  -■  To 
enumerate  theft  fatalities,  would  be  a  mdiiicholy  recital,  and 
perhaps  only  ferye  to  revive  paternal  affljdlian.  What  bleffiugs 
then  will  await  that  aflembly,  who  ihall  patnoUcaily  refo^lve  to 
prevent  this  barbarous  neceffity,  and  thefe  forrowfui  events,  in 
future !  They  vvill, .  indeed,  be  juftl^  ftyled  the  fathers  of  their 
country,  and  merit  immortal  honour*      1 


«•*  akt.C  •!  <••  * 


[«]  Several  were  deftroyed  in  thli  ip^mer  on  (hip-board,  « fe\ryeanimce.   , 

'  I  have 


J 


I  have  chiefly,  confined  my  thoughts  to  a  fchool  for  boys.  ,  If 
another  for  girls  {hould  likewife  be  approved,  perhaps  a  fituatioa 
nearer  ope  of  the  towns,  a$  at  Halfway- tree,  in  St.  Andrew's, 
jnight  be  mofl:  proper,  in  order  to  ficcommodate  them  eafier  witn 
the  neceffary  mafters;.  This  fchpol  wcMj^d  be  beft  regulated  uncjer 
a  feledl  comjqaittee  pf  the  priucLpal  .^adies  in  the  ifland,  the"  go- 
vei:n^r*8  JUdy  being  the  patroij^ef^  Thefe  fuperintendants  might 
annually  be  cliofen  by  ballot;  and  the  leglflature  no  further  in- 
terfere^  than  in  fupporting  the  foundation,  and  regulating  the  terms 
of  admiffion*  ■  r.      .     . 

..  The. expeiiijc  annually  atte^ipg  thf.boys  feminary  cannot  be 
'Cxa^Uy  computed;  iievqrthelefs,  ^.  a  calculation  may  not  'only 
coi^Vfey  fome i4^a of  w,ha,t  it  wiUr^^cjjLiire^.but  fervc  as  a  ground- 
work for  C9t>f:erting  a  regi|lar  plan  of  fuch  an  undertakings  I  take 
*he  liberty  to  ofl^  the  following :  ,  . 

The  head  mafter,  annual  falary,  ■       ^C*  ^^^    '^    X*  3^^ 

An  affiftant,        —  >■    — —     •—<&•.  140 

A  Botanical  profeflbr,        — -    •— —  ■  140 

A  phy fician,        —     ''     ''         — J-#    '  1 40 

A  teacher  of  mufick,         '  '      **■■  >  70 

A  ditto,  of  fencing  and  the  manual  exerclfe,  >—  70 

A  dante-maftcr,' ■      -.^-i  '  ^-Ll-     ' -i-^  70    ■  :      ""- 

Ari.c^erfeef, '      \ '     .-!— i^'  -      .ii—  80 

TTWo  whitefervants,  at35A  each,    -—.-——.  70      ^  .    > 

1060 
Neceflarxes  for  ten  Negroes  fer  ann.  at  60/*  each,      30         '       '    ^ 


«*■■■■ 


i  t. 


1000 
A  ))Otanic  garden,  fituated  near  the  fchool,  might  be  laid  out,  ai>4 
flocked  with  thofe  plants  of  the  ifland,  or  of  the  Southern  con- 
tinent, moft  diftinguifbed  for  their  virtues  in  medicine,  or  value  for 
commercial  purpoies.  It  is  certain,,  that  nature  has  not  only  fur- 
niflied  this  ifland  with  ieVeral  vegetable  produdions  ufeful  in  trade 
and  manufactures,  but  likewife  an  unlimited  variety  of  medicinal 
balms,  barks,  and  roots,  adapted  to  the  cure  of  moft  diftempers 
incideiU  to  the  climate. 

L  1  2  The 


J   A   M    A    I    C    Ai 

« 

The  perfba  made  choice  of  for  mafter  ftbuidnotbe  ailoweJ  ta^ 
follow  any  other  avocation ;  which  might  engrofs  too  much  of  hi^ 
time,  to  the  negled  of  his  pupils ;  and  for  this  reaibn  any  ^  beneficed 
clergyman  might  be  unfit,  becaufe-  hia  parochiali'duties  would  pro* 
biably  claim  a  great  part  of  that  attention^ ,  the-*  whbld  of  which 
ought  IbldFy  to  be  employed  in  the  affitirs  of  the  ichocrf; 

Mywiihto  render  this  ifland  more  fiburifMng  ilir  outftrips  my 
•  ability  to  propound  the  means.  Iti  this  czfd,  the  (incerity  of  an 
hbneft  intention  muft""  atone  for  the  imperfefUbns  of'  argument: 
The  reditude  of  a  meafure  is  one  thing ;  the  means  of  ac^ 
complifliing  it,  another*-  Many  perfbns  are  able  to  difcem  ^he  for- 
mer, who  fearclrfor  the  orhbr  with  tfefitation.  BCt,  as  th^  aiflem^ 
bly  poffeffes  happily  the  power  of  conducing  moflf  'ufeftd  plans  to 
cffeft,  I  cannot  bOt  indulge  the-  hope,  thit  it  mayhoWk  frfbjed  of  a 
this  importance  iiot  unworthy  its  mt)ft  ferious  deliberation, . 

e.  H   A-  p.-  -  xm.-: 

...  ^ 

Of  tat  hbabitants^    _    .  . 

S.E  CTr  I.-- 

THE  inhabitantSLoLtbis  iijj^jlvniay^be  diftiiiguiihed  under the^-^ 
following  clafies ;.  Creoles, ..oi:native^^  .Whites,  filacks,  In« 
dli&ns,  and  their  varifities ; ..Suippean  and  other  Whiles;  and.im^ 
parted  or  African  Blacks. 

The  intermixture  o£  Whites,  Blacks,,  and  Indians,  has  generated  ' 
ieveral  differefit  xafts,'  which  have  all  their  proper  denominations,.^ 
invented  by  the  Spaniards,  who  make  this  a  kind  of  fcience  amone; 
th^m.    perhaps  they-wiir^be- bitter  undcrftbod  by- the.  fallowing-; 
table. 

Direct  litteal  Aftent  frdra  the  Ncgroe  Venter.   . 

I 

White  Mail,  zz  Mulatta.    .  ^ 

.    White  Mao,  ^  Terceron.    . 

I 
WkiieMim,  =  QQatenm.    . 

I 

WHJlLb    . 


» 


I 


BOOK    n.      CHAP,    Xra.  2U 

Medi-atb  or  Stationary^  neither  advancing  nor  reoeding« 

Quatcron,  ss  Teroeioii. 
Tente-ead-ayre* 

Ketrogradb. 

Mulatto>^sTcrcen>n«    Negroe,tf'Mulatta«    Indian, :=MuIattB.  Negroe,  :=: Indian* 

I  '  I  I  t 

Saltatraf •  *-  Sambo  dc  1  ^.xT-nw«-    Meftizc  -  Sambo  dc  1  _  Sambo  de 

Mulatta,  j—wcgroc.  j^^^^  j  -  jjuj^m^. 

I  r         . 

Nbghos;  '  Oivero  [•]• 

lii  the  Spanifh  colonies^  it  is  accounted  mod  creditable  to  mietid 
the  breed  by  aicendiog  or'  growing  whiter ;  infomuch  that  a  Qua- 
teron  will  hardly  keep  company  with  a  Mulatto;  and  a  Meftize 
values  himfelfvery  highly  in  cdmparifon  with  a  Sambo*  The 
Giveros  lie  under  the  imputation  of  having .  the  word  inclination^ 
and  principles ;  and,  if  the  ca(t  is  known,  they  are  baniflied. 
Thefe  diftinftions,  however,  do  not  prevail  in  Jamaica ;  for  here 
the  Terceron  is  confounded  with  the  Quaterofi;  and  thd  Ikws  per- 
mit all,  that  are  above  three  degrees  removed  ib  lineal  defcent  frofd  ^ 
the  Negro  anceftor,  to  vote  at  eledions,  and  enjoy  all  the'  privileges  ^ 
and  immunities  of  his  majefty^s  white  fubjeds  of  the  ifland.  The 
Dutch,  I  am  informed,  tranfcend  the  Spaniards  very  far  in  their 
refinement  of  thefe  complexions^  They  add  drops  of  pure  water 
to  a  fingledrop  of  duiky  liquor^  until  it  becomes  tolerably  pel- 
lucid.  But  this  needs  the  apportion  of  fuch  a  myltitude  of  drops,  * 
that^  to  apply  the  experiment  by  analogy  to  the  human  race, 
twenty  or  thirty  generations,  perhaps,,  would  hardly  be  fufficient  to 
difcharge  the  ftain* 

The  native  white  men;  of  Creoles^  of  Jamaica  are  in  general  tall   - 
and  well-fhaped  ;  and  fome  of  them  rather  inclined  to  corpulence. 
Their  cheeks'  are  remarkably  high-boned,  and  the  fockets  of  their 
eyes  deeper  than  is  commonly  pbferved  among  the  natives  of  £ng-:  - 
land  ;  by  this  conformation^  they  are  guarded  from  thofe  ill  efFe6ls 
which  an  almoft  continual  ftrong  glare  of  fun-fhine  might  other- 
wife  produce.     Their  fight  is  keen  and  penetrating^  which  renders 
them  excellent  markfmen :  a  light-grey,  and  black,  or  deep  hazel,  : 
arc  the  more  common  colours  of  the  pupiL     The  efFe£t  of  climate 
isinot  only  remarkable  in  the  flrufture  of  their  eyes^  Iwit  like  wife 

W. Perhaps  from  G^^,  a  butcher. 


in 


f^  JAMAICA. 

tin  the  extraordinary  freedom  and  fupplenefs  of  their  joitJts,   wliich 
.enable  them  to  move  with  cafe,  and  give  them  a  furprifing  agility, 
^s  well  as  gracetulnefs  in  dancing.     Although  defccnded  from  Bri- 
rtifli  anceftors,  they  are  ftamped  with  thefe  charadleriftic  deviations. 
sClimate,  perhaps,  has  had  Ibme  (hare  in  producing  the  variety  of 
feature  which  we  behold  among  the  different  focieties  of  mankind, 
fcattercd  over  the  globe :  fo  that,  were  an  Engliftiman  and  woman 
to  remove  to  China,  and  there  abide,  it  may  be  queftioned,  whe- 
ther their  defcendants,  in  the  courfe  of  a  few  generations,  conftantly 
refiding  there,  would  not  acquire  fomewhat  of  the  Cliinefe  caft  of 
countenance  and  perfon?     I  do  not  indeed  fuppofe,  that,  by  living 
in  Guiney,  they  would  exchange  hair  for  wool,  or  a  white  cuticle 
for  a  black :  change  of  complexion  mufl  be  referred  to  ibme  other 
caufc.     I  have  fpoken  only  of  thofc  Creoles  who  never  have  quitted 
the  ifland ;  for  they,  who  leave  it  in  their  infancy,  and  pafs  into 
Britain  for  education,  where  they  remain  until  their  growth  is  pretty 
well  compleated,    are   not   fo  remarkably  diftinguifhed   either  ia 
their  features  or  limbs.     Confining  myfelf  to  the  permanent  na- 
tives, or  Creole  men,  I  have  this  idea  of  their  qualities ;  that  they 
are  in  general  fenfible,  of  quick  apprchenfion,  brave,  good-natured, 
affable,  generous,   temperate,    and  fober;    unfulpicious,   lovers  of 
freedom,  fond  of  focial  enjoyments,  tender  fathers,  humane  and  in- 
dulgent matters ;  firm  and  fincere  friends,  where  they  once  repofe  a 
confidence  ;    their  tables  are  covered  with  plenty  of  good  cheer^ 
and  they  pique  themfelves  on  regaling  their  guefts  with  a  profufion 
of  viands ;   their  hofpitality  is  unlimited  ;  they  have  lodging  and 
entertainment  always  at  the  fcrvice  of  tranfient  ftrangers  and  tra- 
velers ;  and  receive  in  the  moft  friendly  manner  thofe^  with  whofe 
chara<fter  and  circumftances  they  are  often  utterly  unacquainted  Qj] ; 
they  affeft  gaiety  and  diverfioHS,  which  in  general  are  cards,  bil- 
liards^ backgammon,    chefs^  horfe-racing,  hog-hunting,   fliootiug, 
fifliing,  dancing,  and  mufic;  the  latter  in  particular  they  are  formed 
to  enjoy  with  the  nicefl  feelings ;  and  their  ear  for  melody  is,  for 
the  moft  part,  exceedingly  corred.     This,  indeed,  has  alfo  been  re- 
marked of  the  Creole  Blacks,  who,  without  being  able  to  read  a 

[  p]  One  obvious  proof  of  this  is,  that  there  is  firarcely  one  tolerable  inn  throughout  the  whole 

iilaiui^  txcept  at  a  great  diiunce  from  any  ftttkincnt* 

iiogle 


BOOK    IL      C  H  A  P.    XIIL  263 

ftngle  note,  are  known  to  play  twenty  or  thirty  tunes,  country- 
dances,  minuets,  airs,  and  even  fbnatas,  on  the  violin  ;  and  catch, 
with  an  adonifliing  readinefsj  whatever  they  hear  played  or  fung, 
efjpecially  if  it  is  lively  and  ftriking. 

There  are  no  people  in  the  world  that  exceed  the  gentlemen  of 
this  ifland  in  a  noble  and  difinterefled  munificence*  Such  a  dif^ 
poiition^defervesto  be  commemorated  ;  and  I  (hall  therefore  think 
it  incumbent  on  me  to  give  fome  examples  of  it.  After  the  de« 
ceaie  of  tiie  duke  of  Portland,  it  was  well  known  that  he  died  in 
very  indifferent  circumftaaces.  From  the  time  of  his  death,  the 
dutchefs  and  her  family  were  provided  with  a  regular  and  fplendid 
table,  fuitable  to  her  rankv  at  the  public  charge ;  and,  as  (he  could 
not  have  the  convenience^  of  returning  home  in  a  man  of  war» 
the  aflembly  caufed  a  (hip  to  be  equipped  for  her  with  every  proper 
accommodation^  and  added  to  this  mark  of  refpe£):*a  very  con-- 
fiderable  prefent  in  money*  They  have  been  often  accufed,  and 
very  unjuflly,  of  wilfully  feeking  occaiions  to  quarrel  with  their 
governors.-  On  the  contrary,  they  have  nevfer  failed  in  liberality 
and  a  jufl  deference  to  thofe  governors  who  have  deferved  well  i>y 
the  mildnefs  and  equity  of  their  adminiflration. 

They  made  an  augmentation  of  2500/.  per  annum  to  .the  go*^ 
yernor^s  ufual  falary ;  ere£led  a  magnificent  houfe  for  his  reiiden.ce ; 
and  purchafed  lands,  for  his  better  convenience,  at  no  lefs  expence 
than  1 2,000.  Their  gratitude  to  their  governors  would  have  been 
manifefted  more  frequently,  if  more  occafions  had  been  given  for 
exciting  it.  Among  other  inftances  of  this  fenfc  they  have  of  good 
ufage,  let  me  mention,  that,  upon  the  death  of  the  late  worthy 
governor  Sir  William  Trelawny,  the  affembly  paid  no  trivial  com- 
pliment to  his  merit,  by  giving  his  remains  an  honourable. interment 
at  the  public  charge;  the  expence  amounted  to  1000/.  Aerling. 
But,  what  was  a  more  confpicuous  indication  of  their  regret  for 
the  lofs  of  fo  efleemed  a  man,  there  was  not  a  peribn  of  any  con- 
£deration,  in  thecounty  where  he  died,  who  did  not  attend  him  to 
the  ginive,.  arkl  with  looks  that  befpoke  the  the  fiuccrity  of  their 
affliction.  But  this  natural  propenfity  to  Itxch  aftions  of  bcpevo^ 
lence  as  do  honour  x.o  mankind  cannot  fhew  itfelf  fo  often  in  a  public 
manner,  as  in  the  more  filent  vvalksof  private  life. 

An 


.  ai4  J    A    M    A    1    C  "A, 

An  officer  died  here^-  leaving  his  wife  and  feverai  children  ift  very 
great  diftrefs.  No  fooner  was  their  unfortunate  condition  made 
known,  than  relieved  hy  private  contributions  amounting  to  a  very- 
large  fum.  Another  officer's  widow,  in  fbtnewhat  fimilar  circum- 
ftances,  except  that  (he  vvaS^  left  unincumbered  with  a  family,  met 
,  with  the  like  generous  fupport  And  here  I  muft  not  pafs^  over  a 
;  ftill  more  ftriking  anecdote-of  this  amiable  difpofition.  1  (hall  re- 
late it^  feithfully  as  -near  as  I  <an  recolIe£l.  A  certain  planter^ 
having  taken  offence  at  the  behaviour  of  his  fon,  refolved  to  difin* 
herit  him.  ''-  He  accordingly  devifed  away  the  whole  of  his  cftate 
.  to  a  gentleman  of  dlftitiaion  in  the  country,  for  whom  he  enter- 
tained a  particular  6fteem ;  and  foon  afterwards  died*  The  devifee 
was'furprized  ahd  (hocked  when  the  will  was  (hewn  to  him.  He 
lent  foi:  the  young  man;  and,  upon  his  arrival,  delivered  into  his 
hands  a  deed' which  he  h^Kl  juft  executed,  reconveying  to  him  all 
his  paternal  eftate,  adding  to  this  effed;  "  Your  father  meant  to 
•'•be  my  friend;  it  is  my  duty  to  be  yours.  I  give  you  back  his 
•V-eftate;  if  is  now  yours  by  juft  inheritance :  go  and  enjoy  it ;  and 
*^*  be  aflTurdd  that  you  may  always  depend  on  my  beft  (ervlces  and 
♦«  advice  fo  long  as  your  future  conduft  (hall  entitle  you  to  claim 
^  them.'*  An  admirable  example  this  of  refined  virtue  and  prin- 
ciple, untainted  with  (elfi(h  or  mercenary  bafenefs.  Though 
(imply  no  more  than  the  efFu(ion  of  a  mind  <:ontrouIed  by  juftice^ 
humanity,  and  moral  redlitude;  yet,  in  this  age  of' callous  ve- 
nality, it  de(erves  to  be  applauded  as  an  a£t  of  felf-deuial,  not  very 
commonly  met  with  in  other  parts  of  the  world.  Without  mul- 
tiplying fuch  narratives,  I  (hall  only  declare,  that  I  know  but  very 
few  natives  of  the  ifland,  among  the  clafs  of  gentlemen,  who,  in 
the  like  cafe,  would  not  have  afted  in  the  fame  truly  noble 
manner* 

Some  years  ago,  (everal  new  (ettters,  who  had  arrived  in  con(e- 
quence  of  different  afts  paflTed  for  their  encouragement,  .were  bound, 
by  an  exprefs  condition,  that,  after  the  expiration  of  the  firft  fe- 
ven  years,  they  (hould  be  obliged  to  re-imburfe  the  treafury  for 
the  expence  of  their  pa(&ge,  and  a  twelvemonth's  fubfiftence  ad- 
vanced upon  their  fir(l  coming  over.  In  1749,  there  were  fifty  of 
them  found  indebted  to  tlie  public^  on  this  account,  ao  iefs 
I  than 


BaoK  ir.    cftTAP.  xni^  26^ 

dian  7479  A  This  fum  the  aiHembly  readily  remitced^  and  difcharged 
them  crntirely  from  the  obligation  [y]. 

This  will  be  fuppofed  an  ad  of  political  generpiity,  and  of  a  dif* 
ferent.  nature  from  the  examples  before  given  r  for  which  reaibn  t 
have  placed  it  laft  in  my  catalogue,  as  it  is  confidered  perhaps  more 
referable  to  the  fpirit  of  patriotifm,  thaii  the  impulfes  of  humanity ; 
though  to  have'a(^^d  otherwife  would  have  betrayed,  I  confeis, 
but  a  fmall  (hare  of  either.     ^  i-  \ 

With  all  thefe  praife-worthy  qualities,  the  Creoles  have  Ibme 
foibles  in  their  difpoiit ion.  They  are  fubjcft  to  frailties  in  common 
with  the  reft  of  mankind.  They  are  poflelied  with  a  degree :  of  fu* 
pinenefs  and  indolence  in  their  affairs;  which  renders  them  bad 
oeconomifls,  and  too  frequently  hurts  their  fortune  and  family* 
With  a  flrbog  mitural  propenfity  to  the  other  iex,  they  are  not 
always  the  moft  chafle  and  ^ithful  of  hulbands.  They  are  liable 
tofuddentranl^orts  of  auger;  but  thefe  fits^  like  hurricanes,  though, 
violent  while  they  laft,  are  foon .  over  and  fubfide  into  a  calm, :  jtt 
they  are' not  apt  to  forget  or  forgive  fubflantial  injuries*  i  A  lorely 
titkagtnation  brings  every  circumflance  profit  to  thei^  remembranoe, 
and  agitates  them  almofl  as.much.as.  if .  it  had  occurred  .but  itame^ 
dialJdy  before.  They  are  fickle  and  defultory  in  their  purfuits ; 
though  unfhaken  in  their  friendfhips.  From  tliis  caufe  perhaps  ic 
is,  that  various  fchemes,  both,  in  pleafure  and  bufinefs,  have  beed 
eagerly  ftarted,  and  then  fuddenly  dropped,  and  fibrgolitea  as  if  they 
had  never  exifled.  They  have  lome  tin£ture  of  vanity,  and  oc^ 
cafiohally  of  haughtinefs ;  though  much  lefs  of  the  latter  than  for* 
merly.  That  diftant  carriage,  which  was  gained  here  infenfibly^ 
by  habit,  when  the  planters  employed  fix  times  the  number  of  white 
ieryants,  whom,  together  with,  their  Negroes,  they  might  think  it 
prudent  to  keep  under  a  due  awe  and  fubocdination  to  authority, 
has  worn  away  in  courfe  of  time  with  the  caufes  of  it.  They  arc 
too  m,uch  addicted  to  expenfive  living,  coflly  entertainments,  drefs, 
and  equipage.  Were  they  but  more  abdemtous  in  thefe  reipeAs^ 
and  more  attentive  to  good  hufbandry  on  their;  plantations,  there 

l/\  la  I7s9»  was  a  fimilar  ad  of  remiffion  of  6301  /.  6s,  8  d.  to  uxty  fettlers.  I  have  not  the 
Icaft  doubc^  'for  my  bmi  part,  but  ^t  theie  remiflibitf  were  thepitre  tScS^ct  coinptifiroAate  fentSi 
niQio,  f|Ddnoct)^offi|i|b£ofgpQUncaiUbcr9lity^    .  '.       ^' :.' ^/\ 

:  Vol. IL  Mm  are 


v 


itt  ft*  \vkbvio\MnQt  ^m^fs  6»tMm4bk  fi^ti^nes, . and  reftderthetr 
pofterity  opulent.  But  they  are  €mA  alio  of  moncpoltsing  las^ 
tvi€t%  oi  Iknd,  bnyimg  up  ali  around  themt  aod  attempcing  to  iertle 
iiew  eddates  before  the  old  ooe  Is  cleaj^d  of  dobts.  By  this  xneans, 
snd  impofing  on  diem^v^  by  »  fpeciovs  mode  of  payjmfiqt^  in 
giying  tiieir  owa  Imads,  mid  taking  lapon  them  the  debte  of  other 
men,  they  become*  harried  ^d  unhappy  evw  after.  ^Finding 
themfelves  unable  to  depofite  whence  .  day  of  payment  arrives, 
tlicy  arc  either'  reduced  to  be  flaves  for  life,  in  hopes  to  redeem,  or 
ioAmi,  thet  whole  of  a  large  territory  thus  acquired  ;  or  to  plunge 
deeper  asd  deeper  inxlebt  axKldiftreisi  by  fubmitttng  to  every  fpecies 
^  fraud  and  extortion  that  paay  gain  them  a  little  refpite ;  tili  per- 
haps, aftte  a  tedious  conflict,  they  kave  at  thcix  deoeafe  jtheir  whole 
figrtUQeto  be  torn  piece-meal,  and  their  family  turned  adrift,  to 
make  room  forfoine  worthleis  upftart,  who  has  poi]fefied  cunnir^ 
and  irillainy  enough  to  accumulate  money,  or  obtain  credit,  {ii£. 
ficient  for  ;becefaiihg  the  proprietor.:!  It  is  a  fettled  maxim,  ««  that 
^  ■  ynb  are  not^diff  ingtufhed,  ot  of  any  note,  unleieyoudreitiddbc.** 
iH'Other  words ^  yott  are  no  bpdy^  ^irvlefs  you  make  yoiirielf  literally 
{64  But  what  fort  of  a  levee  is  to  attend  iuc&  pre^emines^ce  ?  A 
banditti  of  creditors  and  deputy  marihals>  who,  Sor  their  own  &kes. 
Slot  t^c  planter^  wifh  hini  well  for  a  while,  tiiat  they  may  Ibe  the 
better.;  ak  alight  of  vultures  would  rather  make  their  repaftdn  a 
jgtt  tarcafe^  than  a  lean  one;  add  will  pick  other  the  cfoe  qc  the 
ether  to  the  very  bones  befdire  they  quit  it. ;  /  ^ 

'  Moft  of  the  did  Creole  iamilies:  dre  allied^  by  the  inter^^cniarriQges 
among  their  an&eflors  before  tlie  ifland  was.  populouHy  fettled. 
The  iame  remark  may  be  made  on  many  other  communities  in  the 
wodd,  which  hi^tve  Qutiog  from  a  few  families ;  for  esampde/  the 
Vifelfli  and  < Scotch.  The  natives  in  general  pre&r  puiie  water  ten 
any  lother  beverage.  Punch  ieems  almofi  profcribed  from  the 
pdtiter  tables.;  though,  when  it  is  made  with  ram  4jf  due  age^  ripe 
Hnxitf  and  not  too  firong,  it  is  a  very  pleafant,  refwihing,  and 
wholcfomc  drink,  and  one  of  die  beft  af^copriated  to  a  hot  climate. 
Madeira  wine  is  in  more  efteem  than  claret,  not  only  becaufe  it  is 
i^Jiieapers  but  9s  t^e  greateft  heat  of  the  air  only  feiry^  ta  iQl^pAPve 
itsflavouri  and  as  it  is  not  apt  to  fermeeit  iAth^>fionMh«    It  i&^^o- 

**   •  %erally 


BOOK'   V.  /CHAR     Xm.  z$j 

mradijT/dtttik  here /dilute  wik;li  Wfter;  aiid  in  i^is  (Uteit  fxifi^  jb^ 
ffcgmtedias  avtgy  |K>W^rful:jKi^iifeptia  They  arci  .excediv«}y  ipad 
of  chodolate^  which  fbme .  drinjc  morning  and  afternoon  in  pre^ 
fecence  to  tea«  Formerly  the  men  uied  to  indulge  in  a  y%/2^  in 
thdir  hainmocks  every  day  after  dinner*  T^^Y  dr^^ed  in  waiftcoat$ 
and  caps ;  ne^er  wearing  coats  tsor  wigs,  except  at  church,  or  oi^ 
public  occaiious.  Thefe  modes^  copied  from  the  Sjpaniards^  have 
ksig  been  difuftd;  and  at  prefent  t^y  fpllpw  the  Englifli  f^iqns^ 
only  flndying  coolnefs  and  cafe*  They  indulge  in  the  fruits  -of  the 
country »  particularly  fuch  as  are  mod:  nutritious;  an4  fwallow 
peppoe  without  moderatipki»  whi^h  is  aljo  the  principal  ingredient 
in  their  olios,  or  pepper^pot^j  .a  iQoptipc^tipn  highly  efleemed  h^n 
eren  by  the.  Europeans.       '  ... 

The  pl^antersof  tliis  ifland  have  been  very  unjufUy  ftigmatizod 
with  an  accuf^tion  of  treating  ^heir  Negroes  with  barbarity.  Som« 
alledge,  that  thefe  flave-holders  (as  they  arepleafedto  call  thenGi# 
in  contempi:)  ari^  lawlds*  .^jQiaws^  WefUndja  tyrants,  inhuman 
oppreflbrs,  bloody  inquifitors,  and  a  lon^.  Sec.  of  fuch  pretty  names# 
The  planter^  in  reply  to  thefe  bitter  inve£tiVes,  will  thihk  it  fuflU* 
cientto  usfgt^  in  the  £rft  place,  tbati&^  did  not  make  thcin  jRaveiSt 
but  fucceeded  to  the  inheritance  of  their  iervices  in  the  famd  mail- 
neras  anEngliih  Tquire  fucceeds  to  the  eftate  of  his  inceftors ;  and 
thaty  as  to  his  Africans,  he  buys  their  ferviceiT  from  tbofe  who  hav# 
all  along  pretended  a  very  good  right  to  fell;  that  it  canhot  be  fbt 
his  intereft  to  treat  his  Negroes  in  the  manner  reprefdnted ;  but  that 
it  is  ib  toufe  them  well,  and  preierve  their  vigour  and  exigence  at 
long  as  he  is  able.  The  antagonifts,  though  willing  to  allow  that? 
he  is  felf*interefled  in  all  he  does,  can  hardly  admit  this  pleas 
although  it  is  evident,  that  the  more  mercenary  a  planteV^  dii^po^^ 
tiott  IS,  the  ftronger  muft  the  obligation  grow  upon  him  to  treat 
his  labourers  well,  fince  his  own  profit,  which  he  is  fuppofed 
akme  to  confuh^  muft  necelTarily  prompt  him  to  it.  In  proving  hitn 
therefore  td  be  fuch  a  mercenary  vfrrctch,  they  efFednally  ctinfiitS 
the  charge  of  cruel  ufage ;  fince  the  one  is  utterly  incompatible  Yfttli 
the  other  [r]*    <«  But,'*  fays  Mr.   Sharpe,    brandishing  his  :ti*o- 


[r]  Efquemding,  who  was  himfelf  an  indented  fervant  to  the  French  Weft-India  cocqpguy 
tboatlhc  year  1664,  has  defcribetl  veiy  feelingly  the  difference  between  the  condition  of  a  Ne« 

M  m  a  '  groe- 


268  -J    A    MA    I    C    A. 

edged  Weapon/  «  the  plintcr  makes  no  fcruple  to  gain  by 'we&riog 
■•«  out  his  flaves  with'  cowtiiiual  labour,  and  a  fcanty  allowance^ 
••  before  they  have  lived  out  half  theiif  natural  days  ;'*  and  he.com* 
pares  this  excefs  of  conftrained  labour  to  *♦  the  mercilcfs  ufage 
praftifed  in  England  over  poft-horfes,  fand-afles,  &c.*'  Soon:  after 
this  declamation,  he  tells  us,  *«  that  the  allowance  of  food  »  not 
**  given  to  a  flaVe  for  his  own  fake,  but  merely  foe  the  tntereft  of 
«  his  mafter ;  to  enable  the  flave  to  continue  his  daily  labour  inthe 
"  fame  manner  as  the  foddering  a  horfe,  or  fattening  of  cattle  for 
**  {laughter,  becaufe  the  food  is  given  on  no  other  confideration 
•*  than  for  the  profit  of  the  owner.**  Then  he  gives  us  a  quotaticHi 
from  the  learned  and  reverend  Mr.Godwyn,  «  that  the  planter 
•«  confiders  this  allowance  of  provifion  as  expedient  and  fit,  in 
•*  order  to  enable  his  Negroes  to  undergo  their  labour,  without 
«*  which,  himfelf  cannot  get  riches  and  great  eftates ;  but  nothing 
♦«  for  the  wretch's  health  and  prefervation  T  Now,  with  all  fub- 
miffion  to  this  profound  advocate  and  hi&  co^ac^'utor,  I  ptefuine, 

groe-lltve  and  that  of  a  white  coBtra^t-fervam,  in  bis  time,  and  adigned  the  true  caufe  of  it. 
Speaking,  firft,  of  his  countrymen  at  Hifpaniola,  he  fays,  "'  thd  fcrirants  commonly^ bind^them- 
^  felves  to  their  mafters  for  three  years  ;  but  tbeiv  mafters;  having  no  iaonfdenoeb  traffic  with 
'*  their  bodies  as  with  cattle  at  a  fair,  felling  them  to  oth^r  mailers  as  they  do  Negroes.  Yet»  to 
*<  advance  this  trade,  fome  perfons  go  purpofely  into  France,  and  likewife  to  England  and  other 
^  countries,  to  pick  up  young  men  and  boys,  whom  they  inveigle  find  tranfport;  >an4  having 
^  ODdc  got  them  into  the  iflands,  they  work  them  like  horfes ;  the  toil  tmpofod  upon  thanixi^g 
^  much  harder  than  what  they  enjoin  the  Negroes,  their  ilaves  |  for  thefe  they  endeavour  to  pre* 
**  ferve^  being  their  perpetual  bond-men ;  but,  fbr  their  white  Servants,  they  case  not  whether 
^  they  live  or  die,  feeing  they  are  to  ferve  them  no  longer  than  three  years. 

**  The  planters  of  the  Caribbee  Ides''  (he  aiferts)  '<  were  iUU  more  cruel  ^  th^  white  fer- 
^  vams."  And  he  names  a  Frenchman,  at  St.  Chriftopher's,  '<  who  had  killed  above  a  hundred  with 
**  flripes  and  blows.    In  regard  to  the  Englifh''  (he  iay&))  *'  they  did  the  fame  with  theirs ;  aqd 

*  that  the  mxldefb  cruelty  tliey  exercifed  towards  their  fervants  was,  that,  when  they  had  ferved  fix 

a  A 

^  years  of  their  time  (the  ufual  term  of  their  contracts  being  feven),  they  nki  then  (o,  iUt  as 
M  forced  them  to  beg  their  mafters  to  fell  them  to  others,  though  it  were  to  begin  pother  fenri- 
**  tude  of  (even  years;  and  that  he  had  known  many  who  had  thus  ferved  fifteen 'oc  twenty 
•*  years,?* 

The  low  price  at  which  thefe  (ervants  weve  furnifiied  by  the  French  company  to  tiifi  phntevf, 
being  no  more  than  from  4  A  loi.  to  6/.  i^s.  fierling/er  head,  was  another  cauie  of  their  ill 
ii&ge;  fince  the  lofs  fuilained  by  their  death  was  confidered,  by  the  purchaier,  as  very  trifling, 
and  eafily  to  be  leplaced* 

•  At  pnsieiit,  k  requires  no  argument  to  prov^  that  the  enormous  prioe  of  Negroe-flaves  muA 
procure  them  an  indulgent  and  careful  treatment  even  from  owners  of  an  inhuman  difpofition ; 
smd  with  fucb  men,  however  ielfiih  the  native  is>  ftill  the  effeA  may  be  no  lefs  &wunibk  to  the 

that, 


BOOK    IL     CHAP.    Xin.  269 

that^  if^tbe  enabling  his  Negroes  to  undergo  their  labour,  by  al-^ 
lowing  them  expedient*  food;  be  the  true  motive,  as  they  affirm  it 
isy  for  the  planter*s  care  of  his  Negroes;  the  fame  motive  muft 
neceflarily  induce  him  to  be  equally  afliduous  for  the  prefervatioti * 
ef  their  lives  and  health.  This,  indeed,  is  implied;  fince,  if  they 
are  abandoned  to  iicknefs,  or  fuffered  to  perilh  for  want  of  his  care^ 
he  muft  of  courie  be  deprived  of  the  benefit  of  their  labour^  which  ^ 
alone  (a&  they  rightly  obferve)  is  the  foundation  of  his  riches; 
Thus  the  planter  is  affirmed  to  take  care  of  the  life  and  health  of 
his  Negroes^  that  he  may  profit  by  their  labour ;  and  yet  to  let 
them  die  through  barbarity  and  negledk;  by  which  he  muft 
eventually  be. a  lofer  of  all  that  benefit.  In  one  paragraph  he  is 
made. to  ftapve  and  wear  them  out  before  they  have- half  finiftied 
their  term  of  life ;  in  the  next  he  is  faid  to  allow  them  plenty  of 
foody,  to  ibpport  them  in  the  continuance  of  their  labour;  How 
they  can:  be  hacked  and •  ftarved  to  death,  like  poft-horfes,-  ot 
iand^afies,  and  yet  fattened  like  oxen  for  Leadenhall-market^  at  one 
and  the  fame  time,'  is  fo  far  beyond  the  humble  limits  of  a  planter's 
comprehenfion,  tbatut  muft  be  left  to  be  further  reconciled  ^tid 
explained  by  thefe  two  fagacious  writers;  and  the  perpiexing 
atnigma^  they  are  defirfedte  folve,  is,  by  what  means  it  comes  to* 
pafs^  that  the  planter  gains  equally,  whether  he  ftarves  and  deftroyi^ 
them,  or  whether  he  feeds  and  takes  care  of  th^m-i' 

I  will  aflert,  in^my-  turn,  and  1  hope  without*  inconfiftency  ot' 
untruth,  that  there  are  no^  men,  nor  orders  of  men,  in  Great-Bri* 
tain,  poflefled'of  mere  difintereftcd  charity,  philanthropy,  and cle-^ 
mency,  than  the  Creole  gentlemen-  of  this  ifland*^  1-have  never 
known,  and  rarely  heard,  of  any  cruelty  either' praftJfed  or  tole- 
rated by  them  over  their  Negroes.  If  cruelties  are^praftifed,  thfey 
bappea  without  their  knowledge  or^confi^nt*  Some  few  of  their 
Britiih  overfeers  have  given  proofs'  of  afavage  dilpofition ;  biir  in- 

ftances  are  not  wanting  to  ftiew,  that,  upon  juftf  complaint  and  in-' 
formation  of*  inhuman  ufage,  the  planters  have  puhiflied' the  ad6if 
as  far  they  were  able,  by  turning  him  out  of  their  employ,  and 
frequently  refufihg  a<:ertificate  that  might  introduce  him  into  any; 
other  perfen's.  lliefe  barbarians  are  imported  from  among  the  li- 
berty-loving inhabitants  «f  Britain  and  Ireland^    Let  the  reproach 

thetfi 


«70  JAMAICA.: 

then  fall  on  the  guU^^  i^  Dot  oo  the  planter.  He  is  to  thank 
his  mother-^omitry  for  ^fgorgifi^  upon  him  fiftch  wretches  as  fome- 
times  undertake  the  management  of  Weft-India  properties;  and, 
by  wanton  torture  inflidked  on  the  flaves  confided  to  their  charge 
(the  refult  of  their  own  unprincipled  hearts  and  abominable  tern* 
pers)»  bring  an  unmerited  ceaiure  on  the  gentlemen  proprietors, 
who  are  no  further  culpable  than  in  too  often  giving  diis  employ- 
ment to  the  outcafts  of  fbciety,  becaufe,  it  may  happen,  they  can 
get  none  better. 

America  has  long  been  made  the  very  common  fewer  and  dung- 
yard  to  Britain.  Is  it  not  therefore  rather  ungenerous  and  unmanly, 
that  the  planter  fhould  be  vilified,  by  Britifh  men,  fi[>r  the  crimes 
and  execrable  mifdeeds  of  Britifli  reAigees !  It  is  hard  upon  liim 
to  fufiFer  this  two-fold  injury,  firll  by  the  wafte  of  his  fortune  in 
the.  hands  of  a  worthlefs  Servant,  and  next  by  fuch  unfair  imputa- 
tions upon  his  charaAer*  There  is,  I  allow,  no  country  exifting 
without  fome  inhuman  mifcreants  to  diflionour  it.  England  gives 
birth  to  fuch,  as  well  as  Other  ftates }  but  I  would  not,  from  this 
reafon,  argue  that  every  Engliibtnaft  is  (according  to  Vdtaire)  a 

favage. 

The  planters  do  not  want  to  be  told,  that  their  Negroes  are  hu* 
man  creatures.  If  they  believe  them  to  be  of  human  kind,  they 
cannot  regard  them  (which  Mr.  Sharpe  infifts  they  do)  as  no  better 
than  dogs  or  horles.  But.hoW*niany  poor  wretches,  even  in  £hg- 
land,  are  treated  with  far  leis  care  and  humanity  than  thefe  brute 
animals !  I  could  wiih  the  planters  had  not  too  much  reafon  on 
*  their  fide  to  retort  the  obloquy,  and  charge  muhitu^s  in  that  king^ 
dom  with  neglecting  the  jufl:  re%e£t  which  they  owo  to  their  own 
ipecies,  when  they  fuf!er  many  around  them  to  be  perfeeuted  with 
unrelenting  tyranny  in  various  fliapes,  and  othec9  to  fptifh  in  gaols, 
for  want  of  common  neceifaries ;  whilfl  no  expeoce  is  thought  too 
great  to  beftow  on  the  well-being  of  their  dogs  and  horfes.  But, 
to  have  done  with  thefe  odious  compariibns,  1  (hall  only  add,  that 
a  planter  fmiles  with  difdain  to  hear  himfelf  calumniated  for  tyran- 
nical behaviour  to  his  Negroes.  He  would  wifh  the  defamer  might 
be  prefent,  to  obferve  with  what  freedom  and  confidence  they  ad- 
drefs  him ;  not  with  the  abjed;  proftration  of  real  ilaveSf  but  as 
4  their 


BOOK     II.     CHAP.    XIII.  271 

theif  common  friend  and  ftrher*    His  authority  over  tbem  is  like 
that  of  an  atitient  patriarch :  concilifttiog  a£^£kion  by  the  roildoe^ 
of  its  exertion,  and  claiming  refpeft  bjr  the  juftice  and  propriety  of 
its  deciiions  and  difcipline,  it  attracts  the  love  of  the  honeit  aiMJl 
good;    while  it  awes  the  worthlefs  jinto  reformation.    Aaiongft 
three  or  four  hundred  Blacks,  there  rnuft  be  ibme  who  are  not  ta 
be  reclaimed  from  a  favage,  intra^able  humour,  and  a6V$  of  vio* 
knee,  without  the  cobrcioo  of  puniflin^ent.     So,  among  the  whole 
body  of  planters,  fome  may  be  found  of  naturally  auftcre  and  in*- 
human  tempers.      Yet  they,  who  aft  up  to  the  dignity  of  many, 
ought  not  to  be  confounded  with  others,  whole  odious  depravity^ 
of  heart  has  degraded  tbem  beneath  the  rank  of  hunxan  beings,- 
To  caft  general  rcfle£kions  on  any  body  of  men  is*  certain  lyiUi-- 
bcral ;  but  much  more  fo,  when  applied  to  thofe,  who;-  if  their • 
conduftand  characters  were  fully  known  to  the  world,  would  ap«»' 
pear  fo  little  ta^deferve  them.^ 

The  French  treat  the  gentlemen  of  tlieir  Weft-India  icittlements*^ 
in  a  very  different  manner.  "  It  is  with  great  juftice,"^  fays  BoiTu^. 
<*  that  we  reckon  the  Creoles  noble  in  France;^  Their  fentiments  • 
^^  are  Iq. noble  and  delicate  in  every  ftation  of  life,  that  they  per*- 
^  feftly  well  merit  that  appellation/* 

I-fhould  implore  pardon  of  the  ladies,  for  not  hi^ving  given  them* 
the  precedence  which  is  their  due :  bat  I  difpatched  the  gentlemen  ^ 
firft,  that  I  might  pay  the  more  attention  to  the  lovelier  fex.     Fe- 
minine beauties  and  virtues  are  to  be  found  in  every  clime,  the- 
growth  of  every   (oil.     The  Creole  women  are  perfedly  well*- 
(haped;  and  many  of  them  remarkably  handfome.     In.generaiy. 
they  have  exceedingly  good  teeth;  which  fome  have  imputed  to> 
the  pains  they  conftantly  take  in  cleaning  them  with  the  chaw-- 
ftick  [jj,  which  guards  them-  from  the  fcurvy.    T^ey  prefer  cho- 
colate to  tea;  and'  do  not  drink  any  liquor  fo  hot  as  is  cu^loroary 
with  women  in  En^nd,    It  feems  to  be  a  vulgar  error,  that  fugar^ 
caules  the  teeth  to  decay.    It  is  certainly  an  anti-feptie^  and  un-^ 

[i]  A  ipecies  pf  rhftmnut.  It  is  of  a  bitter  tafle,  and  contsuns  a  great  quantity  of  fixed  air; 
k)th.of  which  qualities  render  it  a  very  proper  correftor  of  any  pomd  ilough  that  n>ayh^pe»  t» 
bdge  between  the  interffices  of  the  teeth.  It  is  cut  into  fmalljunksy  of  three  or  four  inckfs  ift 
length ;  one  extremity  of  which^  being  firft  fbaked  a  Euk  while  in  wsum  water,  <  isibon  fosned 
into  a  Sok  broOi  by  chawing ;  fi:oin  whence  it  derives  its  popular -aome. 

juftly 


273  JAMAICA. 

jaftly  bears  that  blame ;  which,  for. the  moft  part,  fhould  rather  be 
thrown  on  the  negle£t  of  cleanlinefs.  The  ladies  of  this  ifland 
eat  large  quantities  of  it  in  fugar-cakes,  or  what  is  C2il\cd  pan-fu^ 
gar[t'\j  and  confectionary •  I  knew  a  man  here,  who  was  excef- 
lively  fond  of  fugar  and  its  prq[>arations*  During  the  crop-iea(bn« 
he  not  only  ufed  to  eat  plentifully  of  it,  but  mixed  fyrup  and 
water  for  his  common  beverage  at  meals.  At  the  age  of  about 
eighty  years,  he  had  his  teeth  ftill  compleat,  perfedly  white  and 
found.  He  informed  me,  that  he  never  was  afili6led  with  the 
tooth-ach  in  his  life.  His  head  was  covered  with  good  black  hair, 
without  any  vifible  intermixture  of  grey,  or  the  lead  fymptom  of 
baldneis;  and  he  was  ftrong,  hale,  and  lively.  He  imputed  the 
ibundnefs  of  his  teeth,  his  unchanged  hair,  and  aiflivity,  to  his 
never  having  drunk  malt-liquors,  wine,  or  fpirits  of  any  kind ;  his 
only  drink  being  plain  water,  the  pured  he  could  get,  or  mixed 
with  fugar.  He  would  probably  have  attained  to  a  much  greater 
age,  if  it  had  not  been  for  an  accident,  occafioned  by  his  own  te- 
merity, 

Kalm,  accounting  for  the  bad  teeth  of  the  ladies  in  Pennfylvania 
and  other  North-American  provinces,  oppofes  *the  vulgar  nQtion  of. 
bad  qualities  in  fugar  upon  very  probable  grounds.  He  obferves, 
tihat  women,  who  ufed  no  fugar  in  their  tea,  had  equally  bad  teeth  as 
the  reft ;  that  the  men  in  general  were  lefs  liable  to  this  misfortune ; 
and  that  the  Indians,  living  in  the  fame  air  and  country,  were  re- 
markable for  good  teeth.  He  afcribes  the  decay  of  thetn  to  their 
drinking  tea  too  often,  fbmetimes  no  lefs  than  thrice  a  day,  and 
too  hot.  Some  females  may  titter  at  the  good  Dr.  Hales^s  experi- 
ment with  a  pig's  tail,  which  being  dipped  into  a  cup  of  tea, 
heated  to  the  degree  in  which  it  is  ufually  drank  (viz.  thirty  degrees 
above  the  blood-heat),  the  fkin  was  fcalded  in  a  minute,  fo  as  to 
make  the  hair  come  off  eafily.  But  he  jufUy  concludes  frova  hence, 
that^  the  frequent  drinking  of  fuch  hot  liquor  is  hurtful,  agreeably 
to  the  general  aiTertion  of  phyficians.  And  I  may  add,  that  the 
^ableft  dentifts  have  concurred  in  their  teflimony,  that  it  is  particu* 

[f]  The  fyrup  in  the  ta<fhe,  or  laft  dariiier,  adheres  in  a  thick  cruft  to  the  rim,  fomewhat  re- 
fembltng  brown  fugar-candy.  This  is  taken  off,  and  pailes  under  the  name  of  pan-fugar.  Cakes 
flit  alfb  made  by  mixing  a  little  powdered  ginger  and  cinnamon  with  the  dariiied  iyrup;  and,, 
after  pouring  it  on  a  plate^  it  hardens,  and  is  diced  into  little  fqua^res. 

larly 


BOOK  IL    CHAP.    XIII.  273 

tirly  deftru£lii^e  of  the  enamel  of  the  teeth.  No  people  in  the 
world  have  finer  teeth  than  the  native  Blacks  of  Jamaica ;  and 
none  devour  greater  quantities  of  fugar*  Few  of  the  Creole  ladies 
fip  their  tea  till  it  cools  to  about  milk-'Warmthy  nor  oftener  than 
once,  or  at  the  utmofl  twice,  a  day.  But  thej,  who  have  been 
brought  up  in  England,  where  they  were  accuftomed  to  drink  k 
almoft  boiling-hot,  and  to  debauch  in  it  too  « freely,  are  many  of 
them  fo  much  addicted  to,  and  confirmed  in  this  pra6iice,  that 
they  cannot  break  themfeives  of  it  here  without  much  relu(9:ance. 
And  hence  perhaps  it  happens,  that  the  natives  of  England,  and 
thofe  Creoles  who  have  been  educated  in  England,  have  not  in 
general  fuch  good  teeth,  as  others  who  have  never  been  out  of  the 
ifland  \u\. 

A  crooked  or  deformed  Creole  man  or  woman,  unlefs  foch  at  the 
time  of  their  birth,  or  diflorted  by  fome  mifchahce,  would  here  be 
a  rarity  to  be  gazed  at. 

The  method  ufed  here  in  rearing  children  fecures  the  graceful 
form  of  their  peribns,  and  is  a  certain  proof  of  maternal  good 
&nfe.  From  the  time  their  infants  are  a  month  old,  they  are  al* 
lowed  no  other  bed  than  a  hardmatrafs,  laid  upon  the  floor;  and^ 
inftead  of  a  (heet,  they  repofe  on  a  fmooth  (heep-ikin,  which  is  oc^ 
caiionally  fiiifted,  for  the  fake  of  cleanlinefs.  They  are  clad  Ibolj? 
and  light,  go  without  the  incumbrance  of  flockings,  are  batbei 
regularly  in  water  every  day,  and  expofed  freely  to  the  air  j  fo  that 
no  part  of  the  world  can  (hew  more  beautiful  children:  The  girls 
are  not  fufiered  to  wear  ftays  (thofe  abominable  machines  for  the 
definition  of  fhape  and  health) ;  but,  as  well  as  the  h6ys,  are 
indulged  in  fuch  a  cool  and  unconfined  attire,  as  admits  the  free 
exteniion  of  their  limbs  and  mufcles. 

[«]  Some  refhid  the  badeffe^^s  of  Aigar  eQtirely  to  what  is  refined,  w)iich  is  fuppofed  to  be 
impregnated  with  lime,  uieci  in  the  procefs;  and  the  corroiive  power  of  this  fubflance  npon  bones 
is  well  known.  But  it  is  fc^cely  probabfe,  that  eyed  a  flrong  d>liitioh  of  lime  in  water  could  pro- 
duce this  erofion  of  the  teeth,  unlefs  they  wiere  daily  rubbed  with  it ;  and  eren  then  it  is  farfrom 
being  certain.  But  combine  this  alkali  with  an  acid  (as  it  is  in  fugar),  and  furely  its  etfcf^  ibuJI  be 
greatly  altered.  We  may  remark,  howcTer,  the  inconfiilence  of  writers;  fome  of  whom^$lame 
die  acid  in  th^ifugur ;  others,  the  alkali  of  the  lime  j  thus  imputing  die  efted  to  two  contrary 
principles.  The  v^  fmall  quantity  of  lime,  that  can  remain  intermixed,  is  ceftainly  not  aa* 
fwerable  to  the  fufpicion  ;  but,  if  it  even  ihould  be  thought  to  deferv^  it,  the  mufcovado,  or  unre- 
fined, will  ftand  dear  of  it.  ••  '  .        •  ' 

Vol.  II.  N  n  Many 


274^  JAMAICA. 

Many  of  the  gocxi  folks  in  England  have  entertained  the  (irzxigp 
opinion,  that  the  children  born  in  Jamaica  of  white  parents  turn 
fwarthy,  through  the  effe£t.  of  the  climate ;  nay,  fome  have  not 
fcruplcdto  fuppofe,  that  they  are  converted  into  black-a- moors.  The 
truth  is,  that  the  children  born  in  Englaod  have  not,  in  genecaU 
lovelier  or  more  tranfparent  (kins,  than  the  offspring  of  white  pa*> 
rents  in  Jamaica.  In  the  Southern  parts  of  the  ifland,  they  have 
none  of  that  beautiful  vermeille^  fo  much  admired  in  England ; 
but,  though  expofed,  as  lively  children  neceffarily  muft  be,  very 
much  to  the  influence  of  fun-(hine,  their  fkins  do  not  acquire  the 
Knglifh  tan,  but  in  general  grow  pale,  and  of  a  fainter  white* 
The  genuine  tan  of  the  fun  here,  on  faces  of  healthy,  grown  perfons^ 
who  are  a  good  deal  in  the  open  air,  is  a  fufFuiion  of  red.  The  na^ 
tives  of  bpth  fexes  are  very  remarkable  for  tliis  kind  of  complexion ; 
and  it  gives  them  the  appearance  of  fanguine  habits,  and  vigorous 
health.  The  brunettes,  or  thofe  of  a  naturally  thick  and  unper- 
fpiring  Ikin,  frequently  become  browner,  as  they  advance  in  years, 
^nd  feem  to  be  tinged  with  a  bilious  fecretion,  which  circulates 
."With  thebtood,  and  lurks  in  the  fmaller  veflels,.  inftead  of  pailing 
dff,.  a«»it  does  in  other  habits,  by  the  outlets  of  :perfpiration.  The 
many  Mulatto,  Quateron,  and  other  illegitimate  children  fent  over 
|o  England  for  education,  have  probably  given  rife  to  the  opinion 
befbce-meptjoned ;  for,  .asthefe  children  are  often  ient  to  the  oiof^ 
;expevifive  public  fchools,  where  the  hiftory  of  their  birth  and  par 
rentage  is  entirely  unknown^  they  pafs  under  the  general  name  of 
\!^e^*IndAans ;  and  the  bronze  of  theic  complexion  is  ignoraqtly  af»- 
cribed  to  the  fervour  of  the  fun  in-  the  torrid  zone.  But  the  ge* 
Duine  Englifh  breed,  untainted  with  thefe  heterogeneous  mixtures^ 
is  obferved  to  be  equally  pure  and,  dclicatje  in  Jamaica  as  the  mother 
country. 

The  praftice  of  inoculation,  atcording  to  the  modern  improve- 
ment^ has  been  very  fucccfsfully  ufed  here.  I  fhall  be  forgiven, 
I  am  fure^  by  the  ladies,  for  a  fliort  digreffion  on  this  fubjed,  and 
for  introducing  the  following  fenfible  remarks  upon  it : 

«••  Of  thofe  who  take  the  fmall-pox  calually,  one  in  fevcn  is 
«  found  to  die.  But,  of  fifteen  hundred  patients  inoculated  in 
«  England  by  the  furgcons  Ranby,  Hawkins,  an^  Middleton,  three 

*•*  only 


BObl^  It.    'CtlAP.    IXiii.  i^^ 

^*  onl/ mifcarriedi  /.  e.  one  in  ffve  hundred.     Now,  not  to  inen- 
**  tion  that  the  hazard  is,  by  a  long  experience  fince,  reduced  aP 
«*  moft  to  nothing,  according  to  this  computation,  which  has  never 
**  been  invalidated ;  in  every  five  hundred  perfbns  inoculated,  fe*'- 
•*  venty  lives  are  preferved  to  fociety  !     Let  the  computation  he 
«*  extended  to  the  probable  number  inoculated  every  year,  from  the' 
««  time  when  the  praftice  began  to  obtain  generally,  and  to  thefe- 
"  add  the  pofterity  derived  from  the  marriage  of  thefe  redeemed^ 
**  pei-fons,   as  they  advance  to  maturity;  and  we  (hall  find  a  pofi- 
«♦  tive  and  happy   increafe  of  people,   continually  riifing -up,  and 
"  flaring  out    of  tountenance   all    declaimers  againft   the  prac*-' 

^  tice[w]/'  •  . :  :  .;  .- 

!  thought  I  might,  Without  impropriety,  give  this  quotation'  a?: 
large,  becaufe  Ihave  obierved  fome  tender  mothers  irf*theifland  led* 
away  by -vain  terrors,  or  influenced  by  predeftiriariah  fcruples ;  not' 
confidering,  that  the^himd  of  the  Alftyighty  has  pointed  out  thi^* 
eafy  method  of  pi-eferving  his  creatures  from  the  horrid  ravages  df^ 
this  difeafe,  the  feeds  of  which  arc  probably  congenial  to  our  vcry» 
frame,  and  from  whofe  infeftion  very  Jew  are  exempted  ;  nftr  pfei:'-- 
ceiving  the  force  of  pofitive  evidence,  which,  through  a  long  cotifrfe 
of  experience,  •  has  dernonftrated,  that  ihoculation  is  alm6ft  an  infal- 
lible means  of  rendering  it  harmlefs.     Nothing  can  be  more  mild 
than  the  dffoi-der  in  Jamaica,  received  in- this  manner.     Infailts,  of 
one  month  old',  have  gone  through  it  veryfafely. :   The  working 
Haves  followed  their  ufual  occupations  with  the  puftules  upon  their 
bodies,  without  inconvenience  ;  dnd  even  bathed  themfelves  in  the 
riverfe,'  withoOt  afty  ill  confequence.    When  a  preparation  was  ufed,' 
they  either  had  no  puftules,  or  at  leaft  fuch  aS' never  caftie  to  a  fup^-' 
puration.  •  Two  very  triodcrate  Jdofes  of  the  tnercurial  medicines, 
arnd  as  many  gentle  purgatives^  with  an  interval  of  three  or  four' 
dayi^  between  them,  were  found  fufficient.     With  refpeft  to  chil- 
dren at  the  breaft,  care  wafs  only  taken  to  keep  their  bodies  gently 
hx  duting  the  continuance  of  the  eruptive  fymptbms;  and,  after 
the-eVdption,  to  correft  any  gripings  with  daily  dofes  of  teftaceous 
powder,  atnd  a   kw  drops  of  tin£l.  ibhiaic.    at  night.    The  eruption 
generally  appeared,  on  thefe.  young  fubjeds,  about  the'  fixth  day  ; 

[w]  Critical  Review. 

N  n  2  and^ 


ty6  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

and»  in  grown  per(bns,  about  the  eighth  or  ninth.  They  were 
Gonftantly  in  a  free  air  in  the  (hade,  and  fuffered  no  confinement ; 
being  reftrained  only,  in  diet,  from  animal  food,  fait,  and  fpirituous 

liquors. 

Of  fifteen  hundred  Negroes,  of  all  ages  and  habits  of  body,  who 

were  inoculated  here  by  me  pra^hioner^  not  one  died.     Such  plain 

fa^s  (hould  weigh  more  than  argument  in  fuppreffing  groundlefs 

apprehenfions  ;  and  teach  every  mother^  that  the  wilful  confignment 

of  her  hclplefs  little  ones  to  almoft  certain  death,  when  (he  might 

i^ert  the  probable  means  of  faving  them,  is  abfblute  murder  in  ef« 

fcdii  and.littie  (hort  of  it  in  guilt.     The  infant  is  incapable  of 

judging  for  itfelf,  or  of  exercifing  a  freedom  of  choice.  *  But  to  the 

parents  God  has  imparted  rfeaibn  fufiScient  to  condu£k  their  unin« 

ftrufted  charge,  and  proted  it  from  impending  evils.   In  ufing  their 

beft  endeavours  for  this  purpofe, .  they  manifeft  a  truly  religious. 

obedience  to  their  Maker,  a  due  afiedion  for  their  offspring,  and  a 

^miffion  tci  the  rules  of  good  fenfe*    And,  whatever  the  event 

may;  prove,    they  are  confcious  of'  having  a6led  with  the  beft 

intentions,  which  will  furely   be  moft  acceptable  to  that  Being, 

who 

«<  Preferreth  the  upright  Heart,  and  pure." 
Whilft  I  render  all  due  praife  to  the  Creole  ladies  for  their  many 
dffiiable  qualities,  impartiality  forbids  me  to  fupprefs  what  is  highly 
t^  their  difcredit ; .  J  mean,  their  difdaiuing  to  fuckle  their  owa  help* 
lefs  offspring !  they  give  them  up  to  a  Negroc  or  Mulatto  wet  nur4, 
without  refleding  that  her  blood  may  be  corrupted,  or  confiderti^ 
X]it  influence  \yhich  the,  milk  may  have  with  refped  to  the  diipo- 
iitioD,  as  well  as  healtl)>  of  their  little  onc;$.  This  (hamefoi  and 
i^vage  custom  they  borrowed  from  England ;  and,  finding  it  relieve 
them  from  a  little  trouble,  itha$  gained  their  general  iandlion* 
Hqw  barbarous  the  q&ge,  which,  to  purchafe  a  refpite  from  that 
efidearing  employment  fo  agreeable  to  the  humanity  of  their  fex, 
fb  confonant  to  the  laws  of  nature,  at  once  fb  honourable  and  de« 
laghtful  to  a  real  parent,;  thus  facrificcs  the  well-being  of  a  child! 
Notwithftanding  every  precaution  they  take  to  examine  the  nurfe 
of  their  choice;  it  is  a  million  to  one  but  ihe  harbours  in  her  blood 
the  feeds  of  many  terrible  diflenipers.    There  is  fcarcely  one  of 

thefe 


BOOK    II.      CHAP.    :XIII.  377 

thefe  nurfes  whol$  not  a  common  proftitutei  or  at  leaft  who  has  not 
commerce  with  more  than  one  man ;  or  who  has  not  fbme  latent 
taint  of  the  venereal  diilemper,  or  fcrofa^  either  hereditary,  or  ac^ 
quired j|  and  ill-cured.  The  place  of  a  nurfe  is  anxioufly  coveted 
by  all  of  them,  as  it  is  ufually  productive  of  various  emoluments 
to  them ;  and  on  this  accouji^it  they  are  fure  to  keep  fecret  any  ail- 
ment they  labour  under,  however  detrimental  to  the  child^  rather 
than  be  tui^ed  off.  The  mothers  in  England  are  at  leaft  able  to 
find  fbme  healthy  labourer's  wife ;  and  none  of  them,  I  venture  to 

believe^  would  &nd.  their  infants  to  be  f\|ckled  in  any  of  the  brothels- 

.  .  ...     .  ■     «     •..->.■,.        »      .* 

of  London.  It  is  true^  the  Creole  ladies  have  not  the  fame  ad- 
vantage;  they  cap  ix^eet  with  non^  oth^r. than  uncbafte cuvrfes^ 
and  thi^  is  another  unanfwevable  a|:g.u)}i^pt  to  prove  the  neceility 
of  their  ^dminiftpring  their  own  breaft,  in  preference  to  one  that 
they  are  under  fb  many  reafbns  to  fufpe£t  is  not  equally  proper. 

Nuj»berlefs  have  been,  the  poor  lifetle  victims  to  this  pernicious 
c)i(]tom.  lyiany  innq^tepts  have  thus  been  murdered;  and  many 
more  have^cked  ip  difeafes,  which  reodlered  their  life  miierable. 
or  fuddenly  put  (hort  the  thread  of  it. 

A  misfortune  attending,  moft  of .  thefe  children  is,  that  they  are 
extremely  fubjeCl  to  worm-diibrders  .  irnbibed  with  the  milk ;  for  I 
h^ve  frequently  feeu.  thei^  vermin  djfcharged  from  babes  of  three 
months  age.,  l^ut  it  i»  more  ufual  Jto  fee.  thenji  looking  healthy  and 
well  till  they  reaoh. the  third  year ;  when,  they  frequently  decline 
all  at  once,  ancl  from  this  cauie.  They  are  often  too  much 
cranuned  with  the  fruits  and  root? ,  of  the  country,  which  at  this 
tender  age  are  apt  tp  generate  a  large  quantity  of  vifcid  (lime  in 
their  bqwels^  that  affords  a  nidus  for  the  Worms  to  depofite  their 
eggs.  The  more  'cpmmon  kinds  which  infeft  them  are  the  afca^ 
rides ^  and  tania  ox  tape  worm :  both  theie  forts  are  elfectually  ex- 
pelled with  a  decp£lion  of  the  tf«/A^/w^«//^/^  or  worm-grafs,  which 
grows  naturally  in  the  South  parts  of  Jamaica;  and  fometimes  the 
ideutn  ricifii,  or  put  oil,  js  adminiftered  in  fmall  and  frequent  dofes 
with  fuccets^     '       \         '  * 

The  down  of  the  cow-itch  pod^s,  given  in  the  proportion  of  one 
^art  to  three  parts  o£  hoiMjy  or.fyrup,  to  the  quantity  of  one  tea- 
ipoonful  morning  and  evening,  for  a  week,   has  been  found,    by 

repeated 


ayS  JAMAICA. 

repeated  trials  and  long  experience,  to  be  equally  deftruftive^to 
them ;  care  being  only  taken  to  give  a  proper  dofe  of  rhubarb,  or 
pther  mild  purgative,  in  order  to  carry  off  the  dead  worms. 

An  old  woman  here  formerly  performed  feveral  wonderful  cures 
of  this  kind,  with  ho  dther  remedy  than  fat  pork,  vvith  which  me 
fed  her  little  patients;  and,  po  doubt,  it  a(^e'd'  upoh  the'wbrms  in 
the  like  manner  as  the  oify  'goriipofitionsf  fr^'yently  prefcribed, 
which    are  found  to  deftroy  thefe    animalcules    by    flopping* \ip 

their  pores,  \  '  '*....-..• 

!Anothei:*trii^f6rtune  is,  thfepbfiftant  inteVcourfe  from  theif  birth 
With  Negroe  domeftics,  Whofe  drkwling,  diflbnant  gibberiA '  they 
hifeAiilily'  ap!(5p^i  and '  With  it  iid'TnlaUlinftd  of  .  their  .adkward 
cima^eancl  vulgar  Wbher^^^  they  do  iioteafll)f  ^get  't\A 

of,  eVeii  after  an  Englifti  education,  unlefs  fent  away  extremely 

"^ApUMcr  ol^  this'iflaiicl,  HVhd  had'feve/al  daughters,Vbeing'ap- 
^rplienliv^' of  ^^^  to\fengland,  and  procured  a 

tultdffefs' for  tllem;  '  After fidf  lai'riVal,  they  weris  never  fuffered  to 
converfe  wit;h  the  Blacks.  In  (tiorti  he  tiffed  ill  hi^  vigilance  to 
preferve  jtheir  language  ana  manners  from  this  infefl ion.  He  foe- 
ceeded  happily  m  the  de(igh;'and  fhefe  young  ladies  proved  fbmc 
of  the,m6rt  agreeable  arid*  'well- behkved  rn'tlle  ifl'iiidt  irbp'douM  ir 


iided  in  that  kingdom.  Until  a  proper  fert)inary  can  be  eftablrfffed, 
every  mafter  of  a  family  he^e  might  purfue  ,the*like  'method,  at 
leaft  with  his  daughters,,  who  are  generally  kept  ihoffc  '^t  iiome 
than  boys.  But  a  mother,  wlio  hqs  bee'n^tained'iii'tfii  adaiftomeif 
iiiode- among  a  herd' of 'NegfCe-cJotiieftics,' adopts  the  fdvtie  plan, 
for  the  moft  part,  withlier  own  children,  'hWinghq  idea  o^  the* 
impropriety  of  it,  becaufe  (he  does  not'difcern  thofe  (iiigularities^ 
in  fpcech  or  depbrtm'entV  wLIcK'  are'  to  apt  to  flfrike'  the  eai^s^  ?tnd^ 
^v,ebof  well-educated  perfons  on  a.firft  introdudtiqn  to  them. 

The  ladies,  howeverV!  who  Jive,  in  arid  about  the  to vvns^  being 
^ften  in  company 'with  jEuropearis;-  and  ot'hers  bfbugbt'up  in'  Great-^ 
Britain,  copy  impercepfibly  their  manners  and  addrefs';  iind  become 

better 


BO.OK    If.      CHAP.      XUI.  270. 

better  qualified ;t;o  fill  the  honourable ftation  of  <i  vyife^  and. to. head 
their  table  with  grac^  -a^qd  propriety.  Thofe,  who  have  been  bred, 
Vp  entirely  in  the.  fequeftered  country  parts*  and  had  no  oppor*. 
tunity  of  forming  themfelves  either  by  example  or  tuition,  are 
truly  to  be  pitied.  We  may  fee,  in  fome.pf  thefe  places,  a  very^ 
fine  young  woman  aukwardly .  dangling  her  arms  with  the  air  of  a 
JJegr^xe-fervant,  lolling  ^nioft  the  v^fhole  day  tipon  bedsor  fettces,: 
her  head  muffled  up  with  two,  or  thr^e  handkerchiefs,-  h^r  drefs 
loofe,  and.  without  flays-.  At  noon,,  we  find  her  employed  in^^gob- 
bling.  pepper-pot,,  feated  on  the  floor,  with  her  fable  hand-maids 
around  her.  In  the  afternoon,  (he  takes  her  Jie/Io  zs  ufual.;  while, 
two  of  t^efe  damfels  refrefh  her  face  with  the  gentle  breathings  of 
the  fan;  and  a  third  provokes  the  drowfy  powers  of  Morpheus  by. 
delicious  fcraichings  on  die  ,fqlc  of  either  foot.,  When  (he  rouzes^ 
from.flumber,  her  Ipeech  is  whining,  languid,  and  childi(h.  Whea 
arrived  at  maturer  ye^rs,  :the  confcioufnefs  of  her  ignorance  make^ 
her  abfcond  froip^  the  fight  or  cpnvcrfatipn  of' every  rational  crea- 
ture. Her  L^eas- are  -narrowe(^  to  tha  ordinary  fubjeifts  that  pafe, 
^fore  bcrv'the  bufiixefs  of.  thc-^  plantation,  the. tittle-tattle  of  the 
pari(h;,  the  tricks,  fuperftitio.is,  diver(ions,  and  profligate  dif-- 
courfes,,  of  black  fervants,  equally  illiterate  and  unpoli(hed. 
.  Wiw  is  tlij5r^,  that  does  not  fincerely  deplore  the  lot  of  this  un* 
happj  /rw72^«jftf«^,., and  blame  the  inattentipn  of  the  legi^fl^ture  ta 
that  iii}[ipj9i;tant  article,  Education  h  To  this  defeft  we  mu^  attri- 
bute ajl  that.cruej  ridicule  and  farc^fm,  fo  frequently  laviflied  upon 
thefe* unfortunate  females  by  others  of  their  fex,  who,  having  ex- 
perienced the  bleflings  of  a  r<^gular  courfe  of  inftru^ion  at  fchool,,' 
are  top  ofteut^tioufly  fond  of  holding  in  derifion  what  thej  ought 
to  look. upoiv /with  candour  and  concern.  What  ornaments  to  io^ 
ciety  njight  .xaot.  thefe  uegkiSed  women  have  proved,  if  they  could 
hjave .  r€!ceivje^,jthe  fame  degree  of  liberal  jpolifh !  On  the  other 
hapd,.depriyed  tbps  of  t^e  means  of  culture  da^d  refinement,  ilK 
furnifhed  as  they. are  with  .capacity  for  undertaking  the  province  oi 
managing  domettic  concerns,  uninformed  of  what  pertains  i;o  oeco- 
Doray,,  order,  and  dec^icyj  ^hpw  unfit  are  they  to  be;  the  corapa-* 
ijions  of  fenfible.,raep,, or  t;he  patterns  of  imitation  to  their  dauglv* 
te^sl.hpw  inca^ble  ^Qf   regelating  their   manners^  enlightening 

.    their 


a8o  J    A    M    A    I    G    A. 

their  undcrflanding,  6r  improving  their  morals  1  Can  the  wifdom 
of  legiflature  be  moreufefully  applied,,  than  to  the  attainment  of 
thefe  ends ;  which,  by  making  the  women  more  defirable  partners 
in  marriage,  would  render  the  ifland  more  populous,  and  refidence 
in  it  more  eligible ;  which  would  banifh  ignorance  from  the  riiing 
generation,  reft  rain  numbers  from  fecking  thefe  improvements,  at 
the  hazard  of  life,  in  other  countries;'  andfrom^  unnaturally  re- 
viling a  place  which  they  would  Ibve  and  prefer,  if  they  could  cn- 
jby  in  it  that  neceffary  culture,  without  which  life  and  property 
lofe  their  rclifli  to  thofe  who  are  born,  not  only  to  inherit,  but  to 
adorn,  a  fortune.  ... 

'  The  women  of  this  ifland  are  lively,  of  good  natural  genius, 
frank,  affable,  polite,  generous,  humane,  and  charitable ;  cleanly 
in  their  perfons  even  to  excefs ;  infbmuch  that  they  frequently 
bring  on  very  dangerous  complaints  by  the  too  free  u(c  of  bathing 
at  improper  periods.  They  arc  faithful  in  their  attachments; 
hearty  in  their  friend(hips  ;  and  fond,  to  a  fault,  of  their  children, 
except  in  the  fingle  inftance  which  I  am  grieved  to  have  been 
obliged  to  expatiate  upon.  They  are  temperate  and  abftemious  in 
their  diet,  rarely  drinking  any  other  liquor  than  water.  TKey  are 
remarkably  expert  at  their  needle,  and  indeed  every  other  female 
occupation  taught  them;  rdigious  in  their  lives  and  fentiments; 
and  chafte  without  prtidcry  in  their  converfation.  Ill  horieman- 
ihip,  dancing,  and  muiic,  they  are  in  general  very  accomplifhed : 
in  thefe  acquired  qualifications  they  cxcell,  more  br  IcfS^  according 
fo  the  opportunities  that  have  fallen  in  their  way  of  toM^ating 
their  natural  talents,  which  are  very  good,  and  fufceptibic  of  ex- 
tenfive  improvements.  As  a  foil  to  the  brilliant  part  of  their  cha- 
.  rafter,  I  muft  acknowledge,  although  with  great  reloftancej  that 
they  yield  too  much  to  the  influence  of  a  warrti  -  climate  iii'  their 
iiflled  indolence  of  life.  But  it  is  chiefly  the  fault  of  the  men,  if 
they  do  not  aflemble  till  dinner  is  ferved  up,  or  retire  from  it  withf 
the  cloth,  to  doze  away  an  hour  or  two,  or  enjoy  a  feparate  tete  a 
Ute  in  fbme  adjoining  chamber,  leaving  the  men  to  their  bottle.  I 
have  heard  it  reported  of  the  mafleroFa  family,  that,  regularly* 
after  dinner  and  one  circulation  of  the  bottle,  he  ufed  to  thtow  out 
broaid  bixits  that  it  was  time  for  all  females  in  company  tb  with- 
'  .6  draw; 


BOOK    IL      CHAP.    Xffl,  281 

draw ;  and,  wfaea  this  fignal  was  difregarded,  gave  fo  indecent 
a  toaft,  as  drove  them  immediately  out  of  the  room ;  a  praSice  fo 
brutal,  that  it  would  merit  the  baftinadoe  even  among  Hottentots. 
This  unfocial  cuftom,  however,  lofes  ground,  as  the  men  are  lefs 
attached  than  formerly  to  the  pleafures  of  getting  drunk.  In  the 
genteeler  families,  con  ver  fat  ion  between  the  two  parties  is  kept  up 
for  a  confiderable  time  after  dinner.  Tea,  coffee,  and  cards,  fup- 
ply  the  pajfetemps  of  jovial  fongs  and  voluptuous  bumpers.  They 
now  contrive,  for  the  moft  part,.,  to  have  a  fele<3:  apartment,  or 
drawing  room,  for  rejoining  the  ladies  after  a  (hort  feparation; 
and  the  cuftomary  intermixture  in  large  companies,  of  placing  the 
beaus  and  belles  alternately,  tends  much  to  promote  this  polite 
intercourfe  between  the  two  fexes.  Formerly  the  married  men 
and  bachelors  ufed  to  carouze  together  almoft  every  day  at  taverns ;- 
the  fpirit  of  gaming  then  prevailed  to  a  great  excefs ;  and  the  name 
of  a  family  man  was  held  in  the  utmoft  derifion. 

That  irregular  courfe  of  life  was  accompanied  with  innumerable 
evils.  Many  gentlemen  of  rank  in  the  country  impaired  their  for- 
tunes, and  reduced  their  families  to  the  brink  of  ruin.  It  was 
not  at  all  unufual  to  fee  one  of  them,  after  loiing  all  his  moneys 
proceed  to  ftake  his  carriage  and  horfes  that  were  waiting  to  carry 
him  home;  and,  after  lofing  thefe,  obliged  to  return  on  foot* 
Drunken  quarrels  happened  continually  between  intimate  friends ; 
which  generally  ended  in  duelling.  And  there  were  very  few  who 
did  not  (horten  their  lives  by  intemperance,  or  violence. 

The  prefent  flate  of  reformation  therefore  is  a  very  happy 
change ;  which,  by  re-uniting  the  fexes,  has  promoted  temperance^ 
urbanity,  and  concord.  A  want  of  proper  education  and  good 
maternal  examples  has  rendered  fome  women  here  extravagant  in 
their  expences,  and  very  indifferent  oeconomifts  in  their  houfeold 
affairs.  They  employ  too  numerous  a  tribe  of  domeftic  fervants, 
and  are  apt  to  truft  too  far  their  fidehty,  which  is  not  always  proof 
againft  ftrong  temptations.  .  From  twenty  to  forty  fervants  is  no- 
thing unufual.  Perhaps  it  may  not  be  unpleafant  to  the  reader,  to. 
fee  a  lift  of  one  of  thefe  houiehold  eftabliHiments.  I  (liall  there- 
fore prefent  him  with  the  following: 

I  Butler,  %  Footmen,  or  waiting-men. 

Vol.  II.  O  Q  z  Coach- 


i6s  JAMAICA. 

T  CoJichman,  i   Kcy^  or  ftore-keeper, 

1  Poftillion,  I   Waiting-maid, 

I  Helper,  3  Houfe-cleaners, 

I  Cook,  3  Wa flier- women, 

1   Affiftant,  ^  4  Sempftrefles. 

Thefe  amount  all  together  to  twenty.  If  there  are  children  in 
the  family,  each  child  has  its  nurfe ;  and  each  nurle,  her  afliftant 
boy  or  girl ;  who  make  a  large  addition  to  the  number.  Moft  of 
thefe  are  on  board-wages,  from  three  to  four  rials  per  week,  befides 
their  cloathing ;  with  which  they  fecm  to  live  very  comfortably. 
A  fpeculative  writer  fuppofes  it  very  feafiblc,  in  order  to  hicreafe 
the  number  of  white  inhabitants,  that  every  family  ihould  employ 
white  domeftics  uifl:cad  of  Negroes.  But  he  did  not  refleft,  that 
even  in  Britain  there  is  no  one  clafs  of  the  people  more  infblent  and 
vmaanageable  than  the  houfe-fervants.  Their  wages  are  enormous ; 
the  charge  of  maintaining  them,  their  wilful  wafte,  idlenefs, 
profligacy,  ingratitude  of  di(pofition,  and  ill  behaviour  in  general, 
are  fo  univerfally,  and  (I  believe)  with  good  rcafbn,  complained 
o^  that  moifl  families  ponfider  them  as  neceflary  evils,  and  would 
gladly  have  nothing  to  do  with  fuch  plagues,  if  their  rank  or  Na- 
tion in  life,  or  their  own  imbecillities,  could  poffibly  admit  of  their 
keeping  none.  What  then  muft  be  the  cafe  in  Jamaica,  if  thefe 
gentry  are  found  fo  ungovernable  and  troubleibme  in  Great  Britain? 
None  of  them  would  leave  home,  to  ferve  in  the  colony,  except  for 
very  extravagant  wages :  even  thofe  that  might  pafs  over  would 
foon  difcovcr,  that,  by  the  policy  of  the  country,  there  fubfifts  a 
material  diftinftion  between  them  and  the  Negroes.  If  they  fliould 
chance  to  meet  with  any  black  fervants  in  the  fame  family,  they 
would  impofe  every  part  of  the  drudgery  of  fervice  upon  thefe  poor 
creatures,  and  commence  ladies  and  gentlemen.  The  females 
would  attend  to  no  work,  except  pinning  their  lady^s  handkerchief; 
and  the  men,  to  no  other  than  laying  the  cloth  for  dinner,  and 
powdering  their  mafter's  hair..  The  governors  ufually  bring  over 
white  fervants  with  them ;  but  are  \tty  glad  to  get  quit  of  them, 
and  fall  into  the  modes  of  the  country.  The  Negroes  arc  certainly 
much  better  fervants  here,  becaufe  they  are  more  orderly  and  obe- 
^nt^  and  conceive  an  attachment  to  the  families  they  ferve,  far 

ilronger 


BOOK    II.      CHAP.    XIIi:  ^83 

ftronger  thah  may  be  expeded  from  the  ordinary  white  domeftics : 
at  leaft,  the  inhabitants  of  the  ifland  feem  to  be  of  this  opinion  ; 
for  thdfe  gentlemen,  whofe  ample  fortunes  admit  their  affording 
the  expence  of  importing  and  maintaining  white  fervants,  incline 
univerfally  to  prefer  the  Blacks ;  nor  will  they,  I  believe,  ever 
wi(h  to  increafe  population,  and  ftrengthen  their  fecurity,  by  the 
intfodudiion  of  Engli(h  valets  and  frifieurs  into  their  families;  the 
debauched  morals,  and  diflblute  pra£lices  of  this  race  of  men,, 
would  do  more  hurt  among  the  Blacks  by  the  force  of  example, 
than  their  ability  for  defending  the  country  could  do  good*  The 
fort  of  men,  beft  qualified  for  increafing  the  number  of  Whites,  pre 
the  ibber,  frugal,  and  induftrious  artificers;  together  with  the 
poorer  farmers  and  graziers,  a  hardy  ufeful  people,  and  moft  fit 
for  occupying  the  uufcttled  defarts,  and  changing  the  wo6ds  and 
wildernefles  into  flouri(hing  paftures  and  plantations. 

But  to  return  to  what  concerns  the  ladies.  Scandal  an^  gofiip-t 
ing  are  in  vogue  here  as  well  as  in  other  countries.  A  natural  vi- 
vacity and  opennefs  of  temper  are  apt  to  betray  the  unguarded 
into  little  indifcretions,  which  are  fometimes  diligently  aggravated 
and  blackened  with  the  tongue  of  malevolence  and  envy.  Yet  few 
are  more  irreproachable  in  their  adtions  than  the  Creole  women : 
they  err  more  in  trivial  follies,  and  caprices  unreftrained,  than  in 
the  guilt  of  real  vice.  And,  if  we  confider  how  forcibly  the  warmth 
of  this  climate  muft  co-operate  with  natural  inftinft  to  rouze  the 
paffions,  we  ought  to  regard  chaftity  here  as  no  mean  effort  of  fe*- 
male  fortitude ;  or,  at  leaft,  judge  not  too  rigidly  of  thofe  lapfea 
which  happen  through  the  venial  frailty  and  weaknefs  of  human 
nature.  They  have  not  yet  learned  thofe  artifices  and  difguifea 
which  women  of  the  world  can  afliime  when  they  pleafe  to  veil 
their  fentiments  and  conduct.  Their  gaiety  inclines  them  to  bo 
fond  of  drefs,  balls,  and  company  ;  and,  confidering  the  fmall  circle 
of  public  diverfions  in  this  ifland,  it  is  not  furprifing  that  they 
Ihould  feek  to  gratify  their  inclinations  by  every  lively  amufement 
of  this  fort  that  prefents  itfelf.  I  muft  add,  that  they  poflefs  fopw 
Ihare  of  vanity  and  pride ;  and  that  fome  few  join  to  the  l^itter  an 
high  and  over-bearing  fpirit,  which,  iK)t  having  been  duly  checked 
in  their  infancy,  is  apt  to  vent  itfelf  in  turbulent  fits  of  rage  and 

Oo  2  clamour, 


i84       .  J    A    M    A    I    C    A* 

clamour,  to  the  unfpeakable  difturbance  of  the  poor  animal,  whofe 
misfortune  it  may  be  to  be  linked  in  the  nuptial  bonds  with  fuch  a 
temper.  Fain  would  I  wi(h  to  relate,  that  the  more  gentle  and 
efteemable  fair-ones  apply  themfelves  to  repair  the  deficiencies  of 
an  imperfeft  education,  .by  giving  fome  leifure  hours  to  the  mod 
approved  authors,  by  whofe  help  they  might  add  the  delights  of  a 
rational  converfation  to  thofe  abundant  graces  which  nature  has 
beftawed  upon  them*  It  is  a  pity  that  fuch  excellent  talents  ihould 
lie  wafte,  or  mifemployed,  which  require  only  cultivation  to  make 
them  fhine  out  with  dignity  and  elegance.  To  pleafe  the  eye,  re* 
quires  only  the  Ikill  of  a  common  mercenary  harlot ;  but  to  capti- 
vate the  heart,  and  charm  the  mind,  a  woman  muft  divert  herfelf^ 
as  foon  aspoflible,  of  grofs  ignorance  (that  fofter- mother  of  pride)^ 
filly  prattle,  and  conceited  airs ;  (he  muft  endeavour,  by  diligent 
reading  and  obfervation,  to  enlarge  her  notions,  banifli  her  preju- 
dices, and  ftock  her  intelleA  with  fuch  improvements,  as  may  en- 
able her  to  bear  her  part  in  a  fenfible  converfation.  By  thefe  eafy 
means,  (he  may  fave  many  a  blufli,  when  common  fubje£ls  are  dif- 
cufled,  of  which  (he  ought  not  to  be  ignorant ;  (he  will  entertairv 
her  company  in  a  rational  manner,  and  with  corrcft  language,  and 
not  expofe  her  hu(band  to  be  hooted  at,  for  his  folly  in  tying  him- 
ielf  for  life  to  a  pretty  idioL  That  audacious  flanderer,  Df.  ^rowne, 
accufes  fome  of  the  ladies  here  of  flaying  their  faces  with  the 
cauftic  oil  of  the  ca(hew-nut,  in  order  to  acquire  a  new  (kin. 
"  Th«  procefs*'  (he- fays)  "  continues  fourteen  or  fifteen  daysj  du- 
**  ring  which  they  fuffer  the  moft  exquifite  torture,  which  their 
•*  vanity  enables  them  to  fupporr  with  Chriftian  patience."  And 
yet  it  (eems  to  be  to  very  little  purpofe  ;  *'  for*^  (he  adds)-  ««  all 
^  this  bliftering  leaves  the  countenance  much  more  defonued,  than 
^  any  fpots  or  freckles  could  have  made  it.  Happy,'*  (quoth  he) 
^  had  they  been  equally  attentive  to  the  improvement  of  their 
*'  min^,  which  they  too  frequently  negleiS  ;  while  they  bear  (a 
**  much  p;iin,  to  caft  their  (kins,  iii»  imitation  of  fnakes  and 
<<  adders.*" 

The  doctor,  like  many  other  old  batchefors,  had  ftrange  fancies 
about  the  operations  of  the  toilet,  or  (to  believe  the  beft  of  him) 
took  a  hint,  from  fome  girli(ft  freak  of  this  kiiid,  whkh  might 

have 


BOOK    II.      CHAP.    XIII.  zR5 

have  come  to  bis  knowledge  in  the  eourfe  of  his  medical  praftice, 
to  infinuate  that  this  cofmetic  was  in  general  ufe.  But  the  women 
here  fo  univerfally  underftand  the  cauftic  nature  of  this  oil,  that 
they  never  attempt  to  open  the  nuts  with  their  own  fingers,  for 
fear  of  burning  them*  All  families  have  the  kernels  ferved  up  at 
their  table  in  a  variety  of  different  preparations.  And  hence  I  judge 
it  impoilible,  that  any  woman,  pofleffing  two  grains  of  fenfe,  could 
think  of  befmearing  her  whole  face  with  fuch  a  liniment,  which 
erodes  like  aquafortis^  though  (he  might  ufe  the  kernels  in  emul- 
fion.  I  rather  fufpc<St  the  doSor*s  credulity  was  impofed  upon  by 
fome  wag ;  and  that  he  ieized  this  occafion  to  have  a  fling  at  the 
ladies,  who  are  therefore  much  obliged  to  him  for  fa  ingenious  a 
tale,  as  well  as  far  the  (ling  ait  the  end  of  it. 

It  is  remarked  here,  that  the  women  attain  earlier  to  maturity,, 
and  fooner  decline,  than  in  the  Northern  climates:  they  oftea 
marry  very  young,  and  are  mothers  at  twelve  years  of  age.  They 
confole  themfelves,  however,  that  they  can  enjoy  more  of  real  ex- 
iftencc  here  in  one  hour,  than  the  fair  inhabitants  of  the  frozen, 
foggy  regions  do  in  two.  The  temperance  of  their  life  carries 
them  on,  notwithftanding,  to  a  good  old  age;  it  being  no  un- 
common thing  to  fee  women  here  of  eighty  or  ninety  years^  and 
upwards.  A  few  years  fince,  a  venerable  matron  died  at  the  age 
of  one  hundred  and  eight ;  and  I  remember  one  of  ninety-fix,  who- 
enjoyed  all  her  faculties  unimpaired,  excepting  her  fight,  which 
truly  was  fomewhat  the  worfe  for  wear.  Many  of  the  other  (ex 
too,  who,  by  conftitution  or  from  prudence,  avoid  ftrong  liquors 
and  hurtful  exceflcs,  arrive  at  the  fame  periods  of  longevity  with 
fewer  infirmities  than  accompany  the  fame  ages-  in  England,  where 
old  folks  are  generally  Ihrrveled  with  cold',  and  overwhelmed  with 
catarrhous  deftuxions,  the  natural  fruits  of  a  raw,  wet  atmofphere. 
In  Jamaica,  the  warmth  and  equable  (late  of  the  air  is  friendly  to 
ao^e  ;  and  the  nutritious  quality  of  its^  foods  preferves  vigour  and  a 
lively  flow  of  fpirits. 

Intemperance  and  fenfuality  are  the  fatal  inftruraents  which,  in 
this  ifland,  have  committed  fuch  havoc,  and  fent  their  heedlefs  vo- 
taries, in  the  prime  of  manhood,  to  an  untimely  grave.  It  is 
owing  to  thefe  deftruftive  caufes,  that  we  perceive  here  fuch  a 

number 


a86  JAMAICA. 

number  of  young  widows,  who  are  greedily  fnapped  up  by  di- 
ftrefled  bachelors,  or  rapacious  widowers,  as  foon  as  the  weeds  are 
Jaid  afide.  Sir  Nicholas  Lawes^  formerly  governor  of  the  iflaadi, 
ufed  to  fay-,  that  the  female  art  of  growing  rich  here  in  a  fliort 
time  was  comprized  in  two  fignificant  words,  "  marry  and  bury^^ 

To  fum  up  the  charaflcr  of  the  Jamaica  ladies,  I  fliall  conclude 
with  this  remark  ;  that,  confidering  the  very  great  defcds-  in  their 
education,  and  other  local  difadvantages,  their  virtues  and  merits 
fcera  juftly  entitled  to  our  higheft  encomium ;  and  their  frailties  and 
failings  to  our  mildeft  cenfure. 

SECT.    II. 

THE  natives  of  Scotland  and  Ireland  feem  to  thrive  here  much 
better  than  the  European  Englifli.  They  bring  founder  conftitu* 
tions  with  them  in  general,  and  are  much  fboner  provided  fori 
The  national  partiality,  which  is  made  an  accufation  againft  the 
gentlemen  of  the  two  former  parts  of  the  Britifti  empire,  is  fo  far 
attended  here  with  very  good  confequences ;  for  their  young  coun- 
trymen, who  come  over  to  feek  their  fortunes,  are  often  beholden 
to  the  benevolence  of  thefe  patrons,  who  do  not  fuffer  them  to 
languifli  and  fall  into  defpondence  for  want  of  employment,  but 
take  them  under  friendly  protedtion ;  and,  if  they  are  welldi/pofed, 
they  are  foon  put  into  a  way  of  doing  fbmething  for  themfelves. 
The  gentlemen  are  therefore,  in  my  opinion,  very  often  unjuftly 
ccnfured  for  doing  what  humanity  requires.  This  hofpitable  ala^- 
crity  to  affift  and  befriend  their  countrymen,  in  a  place  where  they 
might  otherwife  become  deftitute  of  fupport,  and  fick  of  life,  pro- 
duces likewife  an  event  very  favourable  to  the  colony,  by  inviting 
into  it  frequent  recruits  of  very  able  hands,  who  add  not  a  little  to 
its  population  andftrength.  The  offspring  of  this  part  of  Britain  are  ex- 
tremely numerous  and  flourifhing  in  Jamaica.  Ihave  heard  a  computa- 
tion made  of  no  fewer  than  one  hundred  of  the  name  of  Campbelonly 
adually  refident  in  it,  all  claiming  alliance  with  the  Argyle  family. 
There  are  likewife  numbers,  who,  though  related  to  other  noble 
flocks  of  the  North,  deferve  much  more  refpeft  from  their  own  in- 
trinfic  worth,  than  from  their  illuftrious  confaDguinity«  Jamaica^ 
5  indeed 9 


BOOK    n.      CHAP.    XIII.  2^7 

indeed,  is  grfeatly  indebted  to  North -Britain,  as  very  near  one  third 
of  the  inhabitants  are  either  natives  of  that  country,  or  defendants 
from  tiiofe  who  v^rere.  Many  have  come  from  the  lame  quarter 
every  year,  lefs  in  queft  of  fame,  than  of  fortunes ;  and  fuch  is 
their  indudry  and  addrefs,  that  few  of  them  have  been  difappointed 
in  their  aim.  To  fay  the  truth,  they  are  fo  clever  and  prudent 
in  general,  as,  by  an  obliging  behaviour,  good  fenfe,  and  zealous 
fervices,  to  gain  efteem,  and  make  their  way  through  every  6b- 
ftacle.  The  English  were  never  charged  with  a  want  of  bene* 
volence;  but,  in  the  exercife  of  it,  they  referable  the  blind  god- 
defs  Fortune,  who  fcatters  her  favours  with  her  eyes  (hut  before 
all  that  happen  in  the  way  to  fcramble  for  them*  Abftra£led  fromi 
the  line  I  have  drawn,  the  extenfion  of  friendfliip  to  an  undeferving 
man,  for  no  other  reafbn  but  becaufe  it  was  his  lot  to  have  been 
bom  in  the  fame  pariCh,  and  in  preference  to  one  of  far  greater  merit 
who  chanced  to  be  born  two  or  three  hundred  miles  further  diftant^ 
is  illiberal  and  unipanly,  and  betrays  a  mind  enflaved,  in  the  moft 
contemptible  degree,  to  meannefs  and  ignorance.  In  this  ifland  no» 
diftinftiohs  ought  to  fubfift,  but  of  good  or  bad  citizens.  They 
who  would  feem  to  maintain  any  other  by  their  condufl^  however 
they  may  afFe£l  to  difdain  them  with  their  lips,  are  of  narrow  fouls> 
and  no  true  friends  to  the  intereft  and  peace  of  the  ifland. 

The  lower  order  of  white  people  (as  they  are  called  here)  are> 
for  the  moft  part,  compofed  of  artificers,  indented  fervants,  and  re- 
fugees. 

The  firft  live  well  here,  and  get  high  prices  for  their  work  [x]^ 
Of  the  fecond  clafs,  great  numbers  ufed  formerly  to  be  brought 

from 

{x]  I  feledl  a  kw  aiticleSf  fiioin>  which  fome  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  ezpenoe  of  buUdiiig  in. 
this  iiland;  and,  for  better  companion  with  the  London  prices,  the  fums  are  all  reduced  to 
ilerling,. 


Mafoniy,  per  perch,     ■ 
Reduced  brick-work,  per  rod. 
Bricks, /fr  milL  with  cacriage,. 
Laying  ditto,  per  mdL 


Paving  ditto  on  edgjc,  ptr  yard. 
Ditto  ditto  flat,  ditto,        ^^ 


Lime,  ^hogfhead,  »  ■  ■  o    3     aj^    to     956^ 

ScantliBg,  phoky  and  boaid,  per  mill,  ftet,         «*—  -— * 

Hardl 


i 

i. 

j: 

0 

4. 

si 

16 

X 

s 

X 

2 

XQ 

0 

H 

3i 

0 

3 

6| 

0 

z 

9i 

0 

3 

^i 

& 

IZ 

$ 

a«8  JAMAICA. 

from  Scotland^  where  they  were  a£tually  kidnapped  by  fome  man* 
traders^  in  or  near  Glafgow,  and  (hipped  for  this  iflandi  to  be  fold 
for  four  or  five  years  term  of  fervice.  On  their  arrival,  they  uled 
to  be  ranged  in  a  line,  like  new  Negroes,  for  the  planters  to  pick 
and  chufe.  But  this  traffic  has  ceafed  for  fome  years,  fince  the 
defpotifm  of  clanftiip  was  fubdued,  and  trade  and  induftry  drove 
out  lazincfs  and  tyranny  from  the  North  of  Scotland.  The  arti- 
ficers, particularly  flone-mafons  and  mili-wrights,  from  that  part 
of  Britain,  arc  remarkably  expert,  and  in  general  are  fober,  frugal, 
and  civil ;  the  good  education,  which  the  pooreft  of  them  receive, 
having  great  influence  on  their  morals  and  behaviour.  I  do  not 
know  whether  the  overfeers  of  plantations  fhould  be  confidcred  ia 
a  feparate  clafs :  they  are,  for  the  mofl:  part,  fuch  as  have  pafled 
through  a  regular  courfe  of  fervice  in  the  agriculture  of  this  coun- 
try ;  and,  if  they  are  fenfible  and  thrifty,  they  enjoy  very  com- 
fortable lives,  and  fave  enough  out  of  their  falaries  to  buy  a  fettle- 
ment  of  their  own :  fome  of  them  have  even  become  pofleflbrs,  iii 
time,  of  very  large  properties,*  and  made  a  very  refpeclable  figure 
here.  Subordinate  to  the  overfeers  are  the  plantation  book-keepers^ 
warehoufe  or  ftore-keepers,  diftillers,  tradefmen,  and  drivers,  or 
fub-overfeers  ;  but  for  this  laft  office  Negroes  are  moftly  employed* 
The  crimp's  office  has  fupplied  no  fmall. number  of  inferior  (er- 
vants.  This  office  has  the  Angular  faculty  of  qualifying  any  mau 
whatev:er  for  any  art  or  myftery  he  inclines  to  follow  in  the  co- 
lonies,  and  by  no  other  magic  than  a  common  indenture ;  car- 
penters, who  never  Jiaudled  a  tool ;  bricklayers,  who  fcarcely 
ki\ow  a  brick  from  a  ftoue ;  and  book-keepers,  who  can  neither 

Hard  timber, /rr  hundred  f^y            ■«  —    —       in     ij    to     i   i^    8^ 

Bell  Carolina  ihingles, /rr  m/7/. .  about  .«— .  217  \\     *       ju     ji 

Roofing,  boarding,  and  (hiogling, per  fquare,     ■  ■■                3     4  jI 

Door-frames,  each,             ■                        —  .                  2  17  i| 

Window  ditto,               ■                           ——  ■                  \  \^  8| 

Framing,  lathing,  and  ihingUng  roofs, /trr  iquare,  ■           ■■                 a  17  i^ 

Iron  work,/^  pound,              — — .                .i-—  —      o    o  8f 

Flat  and  fquare  hxn^per  pound,       -*-*-             .  .■■      o    o  8f 

Tiventy-penny  nails,  ^2»/jy.                    ■    ^^         ■  ——.      o  17  o 

Ten-penny  nails,  ditto,            —^i.....          ■i  ,     ,  .       q 


10     3 


Six-penny  nails,  ditto,    —        ^_  _      o     5    4f 

Spike  naib^/drpound,      «*—  «— ^  «.  ...^      q 


o  10^ 


write 


BOOK     iL     CHAP.    XIIL  »8^ 

^write  noc.read*  Many  of  thefe  menial  fervants,  who  are  retained 
for  the  fake  of  faving  a  deficiency,  are  the  very  dregs  of  the  three 
kingdoms.  Tliey  have  commonly  more  vices,  and  much  fewer 
^ood  qualities,  than  the  flaves  over  whom  they  are  fet  in  authority ; 
the  better  fort  of  which  heartily  defpife  them,  perceiving  httle  or 
no  difference  from  themielves,  except  in  ikin,  and  blacker  de- 
pravity. By  their  bafe  familiarity  with  the  worft-difpofed  among 
jhe  flaves,  thay  do  a  very  great  injury  to  the  plantations ;  caufing 
diflurbances,  by  fcduciiig  the  Negroes  wives,  and  bringing  an 
oJium  }ip6n  the  white  people  in  general,  by  their  drunkenuefs  and 
profligate  aftions.  In  fad,  the  better  fort  of  Creole  Blacks  difdaia 
to  adbciate  with  them,  holding  them  in  too  much  contempt,  or 
abhorrence. 

Although  the  gaol-delivery  of  Newgate  is  not  poured  in  upon 
this  ifland ;  yet  it  is  an  occafional  afylum  for  many  who  have  de- 
ferved the  gallows.  Thefe  fellows  are  no  fooner  arrived,  than  they 
cheat  away  to  the  right  and  left,  and  off  again  they  flart;  carrying 
all  away  with  them,  except  the  infamy  of  their  proceedings, 
which  they  leave  behind,  as  a  mementOy  to  fhew  the  impropriety  of 
admitting  any  other  than  honeft  men  to  be  members  of  an  in- 
du  ft  rious  colony. 

Formerly  convid-felons  were  tranfported  hither  ;  but  the  in« 
conven^ience  attending  the  admiflion  of  fuch  mifcreants  obtained  the 
inhabitants  a  relief  from  them.  While  the  traffic  for  Scotch  lervants 
lafted,  the  legiflature  of  the  ifland  lent  their  helping  hand  to  give  it 
encouragement;  and,  in  1703,  it  was  enaded,  that  a  matter  of 
any  fhip,  importing  thirty  white  men  fervants  at  one  time,  fliould 
be  for  that  voyage  exempted  from  paying  all  port-charges.  If  any 
of  the  fervants  fo  brought  in  fliould  happen  to  remain  undilpofed  of 
at  the  expiration  of  thirteen  days  after  their  arrival,  the  receiver- 
general  was  direfted  to  take  charge  of  them,  upon  paying  to  the 
importer  a  certain  fum  per  head.  He  was  then  to  fend  them  to 
the  cu/ios  of  that  pariih,  where  the  greateft  deficiencies  were ;  and 
the  treafury  was  reimburfed  by  the  perfon,  or  planter,  on  whoni 
they  were  quartered.  It  is  curious  to  remark  the  prices  which  at 
that  time  were  fet  upon  thefe  fervants,  and  to  compare  them  with 
what  are  paid  at  prefent. 

VoL.IL  Pp  Evtny 


290  J    A    M    A    I    C    A« 

Every  fervant,  Englifli,  Scotch,   Wclfli,  or  of  the  iflauds 
of  Jcrfcy*  Guernfey,  or  Man,  if  in  time  of  war,  ^r 

head,        . *        —    Currency,      ^  iS 

If  in  time  of  peace,         '  ■     ■■  14. 

Iri(h  fcrvants,  in  time  of  war,     — —  ■  — •  1 5 

Ditto,  in  time  of  peace,  ■  ■    ■■  —  iz 

Convifts  are  excepted  out  of  this  a£k;  and  none  have  of  late 
years  been  fent  over,  unleis  to  the  regiments,  whole  fervice  here 
is  not  much  advanced  by  fuch  recruits.  The  caufe  of  this  depre^* 
eiation  of  the  Irifli  I  am  not  informed  of;  but  poflibly  they  were 
more  turbulent,  or  lefs  ikillful  in  work,  than  the  others.  They 
are  in  very  different  eftimation  in  South  Carolina;  where  what 
are  denominated  bog-trotters,  or  fuch  as  have  been  accuilomed  to* 
the  boggy  grounds  of  Ireland,  are  in  great  requeft  for  cultivating 
their  rice-fwamps,  for  which  work  they  are  particularly  excellent^ 
and  generally  turn  out  very  induftrious. 

But  to  compare  the  different  expence  of  indented  fervants  in 
1 703  and  now.     At  that  time  they  were  obliged,  by  a  law  of  the 
ifland,  to  ferve  feven  years,  if  under  eighteen  years  of  age;  and,, 
if  above  that  age,  the  term  of  four. 
The  fervice  therefore  of  a  man,  above  eighteen 
years  old,  might  then  be  purchafed  for  a  term 
of  four  years,  in  time  of  peace,  for  —     —  j^    14 

Such  a  fervant,  at  the  prefent  time,  would  cen- 
tral only  for  four  years,  at  from  ^5/.  to  40/. 
per  atmum^  befides  his  paifage.  He  therefore 
cofts  the  importer,  for  his  paflage,     ■  —  ^    14 

His  wages  for  four  years,    at  the  lowefl  rate  of 

^^f.  per  annufttf        — —         ■  140  154 

The  difference  is,        ■  ■  — —  140 

A  planter  therefore  could,  at  that  time,  hire  eleven  fervants  at 
no  greater  charge,  for  importation  and  fervice,  than  is  now  given  foe 
one.     The  proportion  of  deficiency  will  ftand  as  follows : 
1703,  A  proprietor  of  300  Negroes,   120  head  of  flock, 

quota  of  fervants  17;  charge,     — ^  ■    n  —  ^^    238 

1770,  A  proprietor  of  30a  Negroes,   120  liead  of  flock, 
quota  of  fervants  1 1 ;  charge,     ■  '  .^^     •«.        ..^       \^^ 

k 


BOOK,    IL     CHAR     XIIL  i^i 

It  is  no  wonder,  therefore,  that  the  planters  do  not  fupply  their 
deficiencies  as  formerly,  by  importing  indented  (ervants,  but  rather 
pay  the  penalty,  which  was  fixed,  in  the  year  1715,  at  13  A  per 
annum,  and  rarely  exceeds  that  fum  now,  it  being,  feldom  doubled  ; 
or  elfe  pickup  any  tran^Ie^t  vagabonds  that  chance  to  fall  in  their 
way,  and  will  lerve  for  15/.  or  20/.  a  year. 

,  The  firft  deficiency-law,  palTed  in  1681,  required  a  greater  pro* 
portion.  According  to  this,  the  fame  proprietor  muft  have  kept 
thirty-three.  This  may  account  for  the  greater  proportion  of 
white  inhabitants  in  thole  days,  when  fuch  fervants  were  to  be  pro« 
cured  at  the  nooft  trifling  expence,  and  maintained  at  a  very  cheap 
rate.  In  their  condition,  they  were  little  better  than  flaves  during 
their  term  of  fervice.  They  were  allowed  yearly  three  (hirts,  as 
many  pair  of  drawers,  (hoes  and  ftockings,  and  a  hat  or  cap; 
which  were  probably  of  very  wretched  fluff,  as  the  penalty  for  not 
making  fuch  an  allowance  was  no  more  than  forty  (hillings.  Their 
fubiiftence  was  direded  to  be  four  pound  weight  of  good  fle(h  or 
fi(h^rweek,  with  a  fulficientquantity  of  plantation  provifion,  fuch 
as  yems,  &c. ;  and  they  were  fubjefted  to  various  penalties  for 
jnifdemeanour ;  viz. 

For  laying  violent  hands  on  their  employer;  a  twelvemonth^s 
extra  fervice. — ^Embezzling  or  wafting  goods,  of  above  40/. 
value ;  .  two  years  extra  fervice. — Getting  a  fellow-fervant  with 
child ;  a  iervice  of  double  the  time  the  woman  had  to  ferve,— -^ 
Marrying  without  the  confent  of  their  mafler  or  miftrefs ;  two  years 
<»/r^  fervice. — Abfenting  from  fervice  without  leave ;  one  week's 
fervice  for  every  day's  abfence.— fi^/y/a/^  catching  the  venereal, 
or  other  difeafe ;  or  w //fully  getting  broken  bones,  bruifes,  &c.; 
to  ferve  double  the  time  thereby  loft,  and  for  all  charges  thereby 
occafioned,  at  10s.  a  month,  after  the  expiration  of  their  in- 
deatures.---Concealing  a  fervant,  or  ilave;  one  year's  iervice,  or 
a  whipping  of  thirty- nine  lafhes,  at  the  option  of  the  injured  party, 
on  conviAion  before  a juftice. — Stealing  timber,  or  tanning-bark; 
3/.  penalty,  upon  convi<Si;ion. — Forging  a  certificate  of  freedom  j 
on  conviction,  to  be  pilloried,  and  lofe  both  ears. 

The  only  material  provifions  in  their  favour  were,  that  they 
(hould  not  be  whipped   nakedj  withput  order  of  a  juftice  of  the 

P  p  2  peace ; 


tnz  X   AW  AV  C  A.. 

peace ; .  nor  be  turned  off,  wheti  grown  infirm,  under  pretence^  of 
giving  them-  freedom;  nor  be  buried  until  the  body  had  been 
viewed  by  a  juftice  of  tht  peace^  conftable,  ty  thing,  man ^  or^  twa 
neighbours. 

Butthe  penal  clauies  of  thefe  a£ls  have  long  ftice  been  extFnft^ 
and  at  nrelent  the  white  indented  fervantsarie  laid  under  few  re- 
ftri6libn«,  except  fb  fara»  refpefts  their  ferving  out  their  term. 
And  by  a  later  Irfw,  pnfled  in  1736^,  the  mrfbehawour  of  fervants 
during  their -contraft,  and  ali  differences  between  them  and  their 
matters  (overfeers  of  fugar-plaintations  excepted)  are  to  be  lieard 
and  determined  before  two  juftices  of  the  peace,  according  to  tha 
nature  of  the  cafe»  and  without  appeal,  fave  that  they  are  to  infli£l 
no  punifliment  extettdiitg  to  life  or  limb.  Where  they  -have  not 
frefh  meat,  tliey  are  allowed  four  barrels  of'  beef  per  annum j  with 
fl<Jtir,  or  bread-kind  in  proportion ;  but,- in' general,  their  allowance 
is  not  limited;  and  the  tiadefiTien  and  better  fort  mefs  with  the 
overfcer  of  the  refpeftive  plantations,-  unlefs  he  thinlcs  proper  to  •• 
keep  a  fcparate  table  for  them,  which  is  fometiraes  the  cuftom  on 
very  large  eft ates,  where  they  rarely- eat  aay-falt-moat^ -except  foF  * 
a  forenoon  luncheon. 

Any  mafter  of  a  (hip  attempting  to  carry»ofF'the  'ifland,^'  or  run   j 
away  with  another  perfon-s"  white  indented  fervant,  without  a  dif^ 
charge  from  the  employer,  is,  on  conviction,  to  be  adjudged  guilty   . 
of  felony,  without  benefitof  clergy,  and  to  fiiffer  accordingly** 

Many  of  the  artificers  who  have  come  under-  thefe  contrafts/  fF 
they  were  fobcr  and  diligent^  have  fettled  afterwards  -in  the  ifland^  \ 
and  acquired  very   handfome    fortunes,    particularly '  the   Scotch^    . 
That  part  of  Britain  has  likewife  furniftied  fome  of  the  ableft  fur-* 
veyors  known  here.-    Th^e  arc  general!/  twelve  of  thefe,  who    • 
are  commiffiohed  by  the  govenior,  give  bond   in  300/.:^  for  the 
faithful  Execution  of  their  office,  and  are  put  under  feveraWegula*    > 
tions  by  law.     This  bufinefo  was  formerly  very^  profitable ;  and  ftill    ! 
is-fo  in  the  hands  of -able  draughtfmen,  the  charges  of  making 
plans  being^xtremely -high  rbefides",  the  ignorance  and  knavery. of    • 
fufveyors,  formerly   employed  to  run  out  the  wcod-^Iands,  have 
caufed-  fuch  'errors  as  to  breed  numberlefs  disputes  concerning  the 
tcue  ftxin^and  boundaries  eveh'tp  this  day;  and  the  adjuftmeot 

^  of.. 


BOOK    II.      CH  A'P.    XIIL  29^ 

o("theie  cofitentions  is  a  perpetual  fund  for  employing  and  fup« 
porting  the  profeflfors  of  the  geometric  art* 

The  Jews  were  very  early  fettled  ia  this  ifland,  attra(fled  no  lefs 
by  the  quantity  of  gold  and  filver  brought  into  circulation  bere^ 
than  tlie  naild  difpofition  of  the  government  towards  them.  In 
fome  of  the' other  fugar-ifiands  they  were  profcribed,  by  admitting 
the  evidence-  of  p.igan  flaves  againft  them  in  the  courts  of  juftice. 
Yet,  although  this  government  was  comparatively  lenient,  they 
were  opprefled,  in  fome  inAanceSf  conforntKibly  to  that  perfecuting 
Iplrit  which  zealous  Chriftians  ufed  autiently  to  manifeft  towards 
all  thofe  who  differed  from  them  in  matters  of  faith>  particularly 
Jews,  Turks,  and  Infidels,.  But  it  muft  be  owned,  that  the  raf- 
cally  tricks,  for  which  both  antient  and  modern  Je.ws  have  always 
been  didinguifhed,  niay  have  ferved  not  a  little  to  embitter  the  po- 
pular hatred  againft  them.  In  1681^  a  law  paiTed  in  Jamaica  to 
prevent  clipping,  and  falfifying  of<oin,  and  debafing  pf  gold  and 
lilver  wares.  The  Jews  were,  at  that  time,  the  principal  workers 
in^gold  and '  fdwr.  .Their  foiidnefe  for-this  craft  in  all  ages  is  re-^ 
markable,  and  prpves  the  gainfulnefs  of  it ;  and  it  is  flill  more  fo, 
that  pcrhaps'therefeldomhas  been  fucha  law  enabled  in  any  poun»- 
try,  which. did  not  abound  with  thefe  Jewilh  artifts,    • 

I  think  it  was  in  the  ^eign. of -William  III,  that  the  council  of 
this  ifland  addrefled  the  crown  to  expel  all  the  Jews  from  this  part 
of  the  BritiHi  dominions,  not  for  the  fubftantial  reafon  above  ai- 
iigned,  but  for  a  very  whimfical  one,  viz.  becaufe  <*  they  were  dc- 
"  -fcended  from  the  crucifiers  of  the  blefled  Jefus/^  I  need  not 
mention,  that  his  majefty  did  not  think  fit  to  comply  \vith  their  re- 
quef^*.  The  gentlemen  were  not  <leep  enough  read  in  hiflofy  to 
difcover,  that  the  Romans,  and  not  the  J«ws,  puniihed  by  cruci-^ 
fixiori.  But,  if  they  fuppofed  the  Jews  of  Jamaica  to  betheii- 
neal  dcfcendents  from  «that  part  of  the  Jerufalem  mob  which  ac*. 
cufed  our  Saviour  before  the  Roman  governor,  and,  by  importuning 
for  his  execution,  heczmt  par Ucipes  criminis^  and  fo  tranfmitted  the 
guilt  down  to  their  third  and  fourth  i  generations  r  we  muft  admire 
their  Ikill  in  pedigfees,  who' could"  thus  trace  the  line  of  defceht 
through  a  courfe  of  near  feventeen  centuries.  In  thefe  days  of  ig- 
norance^ and  long  after,  they  were  not  taxed  like  other  fubje£lsv 

but 


-t^  JAMAICA. 

but  obliged  to  ratfe  among  them  a  certaiti  annual  tribute,  which 
the  aflembly  varied  at  pleafure.  During  the  government  of  Sir 
Thomas  Lynch,  they  were  affeflcd  the  annual  fumof  750/.,  be- 
fides  one  (hilling  in  the  pound  on  their  rents.  In  governor  Molef- 
\vorth*s  time,  they  began  to  make  a  confiderable  figut-e,  and  were 
permitted  to  ereft  fynagogues,  and  perform  divine  worfhip  according 
to  their  own  rituaL  And  from  this  period  we  begirt  to  date  their 
deliverance  out  of  bondage  in  the  ifland. 

It  is  uncertain,  whether  at  the  fame  period  they  purchafed  the 
intereft  i)f  a  commander  in  chief  to  obtain  the  royal  inftruftion, 
forbidding  the  governor  for  the  time  being  to  give  aflent  to  any  bill 
impoiing  this  partial  taxation  ;  but  it  was  probably  from  this  origin 
their  cuftom  began  of  prefenting  every  new  governor,  upon  his  ar- 
rival, with  a  peace-offering,  confifting  of  a  purfe  of  doubloons,  I 
have  heard,  that  the  firft  oblation  of  this  fort  was,  for  decency-fake, 
conveyed  in  a  pye ;  whence  it  has  obtained  this  nick-name.  The 
fmaller  douceur,  prefented  to  a  lieutenant-governor,  is  ftyled  a  tarti 
land  the  ftill  fmaller  perquifitft,  to  the  fecretary,  a  tartlet  \^y\  Op- 
preffion  had  taught  them,  that  no  argument  was  fo  powerful  as 
this  in  foliciting  for  prote<5tion.  It  mufl  be  acknowledged,  how- 
ever, that  thele  people  have  (hewn  themfelves  very  good  and 
ufeful  fubje<Ss  upon  many  occafions.     When  the  French  invaded 

PUloIcs. 

[y]  Their  prcfcnt  to  a  new  governor  in  chief  has  generally  been,  as  I  am  told,  about       joo 

To  a  lieutenant-goTcrnor,  ■  i  *  ■  '    '  ■      m       t^o 

To  a  prefidenty  I  fuppofe  the  fame. 

To  the  governor's,  &c.  fecretary,  ■■    ■  ■  ■  ■  ■   ■  ■  — -         ^o 

I  (hall  take  the  opportunity  of  mentioning  here,  what  I  omitted  in  the  proper  phice,  that  ihc 
^vernoi's  fecretary  has  no  fixed  (alary  j  nor  any  fees  allowed  by  law,  excei>t  a  trifling  fum  on  cer- 
tificates of  ireetlom  taken  out,  whidi  are  renewable  only  once  in  feveu  years :  but  hts  iticorae  is 
rated  by  fome  at.  about  lOooL  flerling  per  annwii^  and  by  others  much  higher.  It  arifes  from 
the  gratuitres  he  receives  on  all  civil  and  milkary  commillions  and  warrants  ifllied  by  the  governor, 
efpecially  upon  entrance  of  the  latter  into  offiob ;  at  which  time  It  has  been  often  the  pt^adice  to 
renew  fuch  comihitiTiohs,  &c.  merely  to  put  money  into  the  fecretary 'spocket,  Atid  (bme  go- 
vernors have  condefcended  to  take  a  (hare  in  the  profits  ;  for  they  arc  fametimes  confiderable,  fifty 
p'lftoles  having  often  been  given  for  an  honorary  poft  in  the  militia.  Other  emoluments  accrUe 
from  let-pnfiVs,  granted  to  foreign  vei&ls  entering  Port  Royal  harbour  (whidi'  mny  be  reckoned 
aiiiong  the  number  of  impolitic  rellridions'  laid  upon  the  trade  of  the  iiland) ;  likewife  fixim 
orders  for  furvcj'ing  crown-Linds,  ViXi^  fats  \  and,  in  fhorr,  from  every  other  inftrumcnt  vefling 
any  oHice,  preferment,  or  comnnflTon,  within  the  goverrtor*s  girt  or  appointment.  But  the  prin- 
cipal harveft  is  g^e^ned,  in  time  of  ivar/from  the  grant  of  letters  of  ^marque,  aadBsgkof  truce. 

this 


BOOK    IL      CHAP.    XIII.  295 

this  ifland  doriag  the  government  of  Sir  William  Beeflon,  they 
oppoied  the  enemy  with  great  courage.  Their  knowledge  of  fo« 
reign- languages,  and  intercourfe  with  their  brethren,  diiperfed  over 
the  Spanilh  and  other  Weft*India  colonies,  have  contributed 
greatly  to  extend  the  trade,  and  increafe  the  wealth,  of  the  ifland  ; 
for  they  have  always  been  the  chief  importers  of  bullion :  and  the 
riches  they  acquire  to  themfelves  are  expanded  in  eifcGt  to  the 
public  welfare ;  for  they  are  not  mere  brokers  and  money -^holders 
that  may  remove  ad  ltbitufn\  they  are  allowed  to  purchafe  lands  and' 
tenements,  and  adually  poflefs  a  large  (hare  of  both.  This  give* 
them  a  folid  attachment  to  the  interefl  and  fecurity  of  Jamaica ;. 
which  they  confider  as  their  home.  Their  afiedion  is  ftill  further 
ftrengthened  by  the  afl'urance,  that,  under  other  governments^  they 
would  not  be  indulged  with  the  enjoyment  of  the  fame  riglits^ 
privileges,  and  immunities,  which  they  now  hold  undifl:urbed. 
The  provincial  laws,  it  is  true,  lay  them  under  fbme  few  rc^na^ 
tions  (if  they  can  be  properly  called  fuch,  for  they  rather  feem  ex- 
emptions from  burthen,    than  privations  of  any  benefit).. 

They  may  not  officiate,  nor  write,  in  any  of  the  public  offices*. 
They  muft  fupply  their  deficiencies  out  of  their  own  nation,  and^ 
not  by  indented  Ghriftian  fenrauts ;  but  they  are  allowed  to^  hire 
Chriilians  for  this  purpofe. 

Their  religion  necefiarily  excludes  fhem  from  exercifing  any  poi^ 
under  the  government  above  the  rank  of  conflable ;  but  the  policy 
€#  the  ifland  requires  aU  of  them,  without  diflinftion,.  to  bear  arms 
in  the  militia.    If  they  cannot,  on  account  of  their  religion,  hold^ 
pofts  of  profit,  they  are  neverthelefs  excufed,  for  the  fame  reafon,- 
from  troublefome  offices,   that  have  no  profit  amiexed  to  tbem,^ 
which  are  here  exceedingly  numerous:  fo  that  the  balance,  tipoiv 
the  whole,  feems  much  in  their  favour.     The  lenity  of  the  lawSf 
which  tolerate  them  in  the  free  exercife  of  their  religion  and  cu* 
ftoms,  permit  tliem  toehold  landed  property,  protect  them  equally 
with  other  fubjedts^  in  the  pofieffion  and  etijoyment  of  it,  and  load^ 
them^  with  no  partial  or  oppreflive  taxations,  altogether  forms  a 
very  ample  compenfation  for  the  want  of  a  voice  in  the  legiflaturcr 
or  courts  of  jufticc.^    They. are  canfcquently  contented  and  happy^ 
under  this  gavernoaent ;.  and  would  be  more^  fo,  if  it  was  not  tor 

tlicir 


2p6  J    A  ^M  >A     I    G    A. 

.their  own  little,  fchifrns  ia   religious  matters  ;  for  they  are  divided 

I  iHto  two  factions,  or  fedts  ;  .one  of  Avliich,  called  the  Smoufejews^ 
are  Mot^  acknowledged  orthodox  by  the  reft,  on  account  of  their 

:  Having,  through  the  vigours  of  the-inquKition  in  xhe  Portuguefe  and- 

:  Spanifh  dominions,  relaxed  in  fome  indifpenfable  rituals,  or  inter- 
married with  Ghriftiaiis;  by  which  abomination,  they  have  pol- 
luted  the  pure  irraeUtilh    blood    with    the  corrupt  dream  of  the 

»  Gentiles.     The  Smoufes  have   therefore   a  diftin£l   conventicle,  or 

;  meeting,  of  their :own,  at  a  private  houfe,  where  they  vociferate,  to 

:  the  great  di ft uirbance  of  the  neighbourhood. 

The  chief  men  among  the  Jews  are  very  worthy  perfons,  and 

»  ought  not  to  be  reproached  for  the  vices  and  villainies  of  the  lower 
rabble,  iince  they  ftrive  all  in  their  power  to  put  them  in  the  way 

.  of  earning  their  livelihood  honeftly :  and,  although  fome  fraudu- 
lent bankruptcies  .now  and  then  happen  among  the  poorer  and 
more  knavifli  tribe  ;  yet  there  are  no  common  beggars  of  their 
nation,  the  elders  having  an  eftabliflied  fund  for  the  relief  of  all 
their  poor.  They  traffic  among  the  Negroes  chiefly  in  falt-fifli, 
butter,  and  a  fort  of  cheap  pedlary  wares,  manufadured  by  their 
brethren  in  England.  But  among  the  chief  men  are  feveral  very 
opulent  planters,  and  capital  merchants,  who  are  connefted  with 
great  houfes  in  the  city  of  London.  It.  has  been  a  very  ftriking 
remark,    that  the  multitude  of  them   fettled   in   this  ifland,  the 

.  purchafes  they  are  continually  making  both  of  houfes  and  lands, 
and  the  vaft  wealth  they  coUedlively  have  flaked  here,  arc  fure  in- 
dications that  they  are  delighted  with  the  mildnefs  and  equity  of 
the  government,  and  reft  fatisfied,  that  their  property  is  entirely 

:  fafe,  and  fecurely  held ;  from  a  convidion,  *^  that  a  place  of  fuch 
**  great  importance  to  the  mother- country  will  never  be  negle£ted, 
*^  nor  fail  of  receiving  all  due  care  and  protedion."  Some  perfbns 
have  affirmed,  that  the  Jews  of  this  ifland  are  not  fuch  rigid  ob- 
fervers  of  the  Mofaic  ritual  as  their  brethren  of  other  countries^ 
Many  of  them  have  been  charged  with  the  heavy  accufation  of 
gratifying  their  appetites  now  and  then  with  a  pork  dinner  without 
licence;  and  others  are  laid  to  purthafea  difpenfation  for  it  of  the 

^  rabbi,  after  the  mariner  of  Roman  catholic  epicures  in  the  Lent 
feafon.     Indeed,  the  Weft-Iadia  pork   is  of  lb  exquifite  a  flavour, 

that» 


BOOK   IL    CHAP.    XIIL  ip; 

that,  if  Mofes  had  ever  taftcd  it,  he  certainly  would  not  hiave  been 
fo  unkind  towards  his  followers  as  to  include  it  in  his  catalogue  of 
non*eatables ;  for  I  do  not  know  any  thing  more  likely  to  converf 
a  Jew  who  wavers  in  faith  in  this  part  of  the  world,  than  the  temp* 
tation  of  this  delicious  food  ;  and  it  may  be  owing  to  the  juft  con- 
fideration  of  human  frailty,  that  the  rabbis  here  are  too  politic  to. 
interdidl  abfolutely  the  moderate  ufe  of  it  to  the  members  of  their 
congregation,  or  perhaps  to  abftain  wholly  from  it  themfelves*  In 
regard  to  other  lefts,  Ibme  quakers  were  formerly  fettled  here, 
•  who  came  principally  from  Barbadoes.  They  had  a  meeting-houfe 
in  Kingfton  and  a  burial  ground,  fituate  Weft  from  the  town, 
the  walls  of  which  are  ftill  remaining.  They  afterwards  difperfed, 
and  the  greater  part  retired  to  New-England  and  Philadelphia. 
Very  few 'here  at  this  time  openly  profefs  themfelves  of  this  order. 
The  chief  inducement  for  their  quitting  Jamaica  probably  was  no 
other  than  the  indiipenfable  obligation  impofed  by  its  laws,  on 
every  man  in  the  ifland,  to  bear  carnal  weapons  in  the  militia.  This 
ordi'iiance  was  incompatible  with  their  non-refifting  tenets ;  and  all 
fuch  as  adhere  to  them  fo  rigidly,  are  doubtlefs  very  unfit  inhabi- 
tants for  a  fugar-colony,  which  cannot  be  defended  either  from 
foreign  or  inteftine  enemies  by  a  flock  of  (heep.  In  1732,  there 
appears  to  have  been  a  remnant  of  them  in  the  ifland ;  for  a  law, 
palled  in  that  year,  entitles  them  to  vote  ateleftions,  proving  their 
qualification  by  affirmation,  inftead  of  oath. 

A  party  of  Moravians  are  fettled  here,  who  in  ibme  particulars  . 
feem  to  hold  refemblance  to  the  quakers.  They  are  chiefly,  I 
believe,  confined  to  an  eftate  in  the  parlfli  of  St.  Elizabeth,  hi 
the  year  1763,  the  freeholders  of  that  parifli  prefented  a  petition  to 
the  aflembly^  fet ting  forth,  «*  that,  for  fome  years  paft,  many  per- 
**  fons,  who  called  themfelves  Moravians,  had  arrived  there ;  that 
<*  they  always  refufed  to  do  military  duty,  pleading  an  exemption 
"  by  aft  of  parliament,  of  which  they  had  particularly  availed 
"  themfelves  during  the  late  rebellions  j  that  it  was  conceived  fuch 
*«  a  pretext  entirely  fruft rated  the  ends  of  the  deficiency-law,  and 
**  prevented  a  number  of  white  perfons,  capable  of  bearing  arms, 
**  from  being  employed  upon  the  eftates  where  thefe  drones  had 
"  met  with  encouragement."     It  does  not  appear  that  the  aflembly 

Vol.  11.  Q  q  i  interfered 


300  JAMAICA. 

might  admintfler  to  the  pradical  performance  of  thofe  rapturous 
carcfles,  ravifhing  extafies,  thrilling  tranfports,  with  all  the  kiiCng^^ 
pantings,  fighings,  dyings,  which  fill  up  the  lufcious  meafure  of 
their  pfalmody,  might  doubtlefs  be  apt  to  ftrike  the  imaginations 
of  the  prophane,  and  incline  them  to  fufpeft,  that  the  faints  behind 
the  curtain  voluptuoufly  mingle  a  liltle  of  the  (enfual  with  their 
Ipiritual  feelings. 

Thefe  which  I  have  mentioned  are  all  the  fchifmatics  publickly 
avowed  in  Jamaica :  not  but  there  are  many  Roman  catholics, 
and  diflenters,  who  enjoy  their  refpedive  opinions  in  private,  withf- 
out  feeking  to  form  themfelves  into  diftin£t  congregations,  or  to  put 
themfelves  to  the  expence  of  maintaining  preachers  or  paftors.^ 

The  laws  of  the  ifland  are  favourable  to-  the  admiifion  of  fo* 
reigners.  They  empower  the  governor,  by  inftrument  under  the 
broad  feal,  to  naturalize  any  alien  who  may.  come  to  fettle  in  the 
ifland,  having  firft  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance :  but  they  are  re- 
quiredv  within  thirty  days  after  their  arrival,  to  give  in  their 
names,  trades,  vocations,  &c.  to  any  cifios^  or  chief  magiftrate,  and 
apply  for  their  letter  of  naturalization. 

They  are  then  declared  entitled  to  the  fame  immunities,  rights^ 
laws^  and  privileges,  of  the  ifland,  and-  in  as  full  and  ample  maar 
rfer,  as  any  of  the  king's  natural- born  fufeje^ls,  or  as  if  they  themr 
lelves  had  been  born  within  any  of  his  majefty's  realms  or  domi- 
tiioiis.  And,  in  order  that  fuch  patents  may  be  obtained  at  little 
charge,  the  governor  is  to  receive  five  pounds  currency,,  and  his 
fccretary  ten  fliillings,  each,  and  no  mofe,  for  pafllng  them. 

This  matter  is  further  regulated  by  a6l  of  parliament,  pafled 
1 J  George  H. ;  the  objeft  whereof  feems  to  be,  that  aliens,  tranf- 
porting  themfelves  into*  any  of  the  Britifh  coJonies,  flhould  become 
entitled  to  the  rights  of  natural-born  fubje£ts,  on  condition  that 
they  remain  and  refide  therein  for  a  certain  term  of  years:  for 
a  multitude  of  tranfient  perfbns,  transferring  their  cffeds,,  per^ 
haps  for  the  fake  of  traffic,  and  having  no  fixed  abode,,  nor  making 
any  fettlement,  would  add  nothing  to  the  fccurity  of  a  colony ; 
but,  on  the  contrary,  might  do-it  hurt,  by  carrying  off  the  profits, 
gained  on  their  trade,  to  be  fpent  in  a  foreign  dominion^  and  by 
excluding  many  real  Britifli  merchants  and  traders,  who  would 

otherwife 


BOOK    IL      CHAR      XIII.  sar 

efherwife  have  fettled  in  the  colony.     It  enafts,  that  all  perfons, 
born  out  of  his  majefty's  liegeance^  who  (hall  refide  for  the  fpace 
of  fevcn  ycars^  or  more,  in  any  of  his  American  colonies ;  and 
that  (hall  not  have  been  abfent  from  thence  above  two  months  at 
any  one  tiipe;.  and  that   (hall  take  and  fubfcribe  the  oaths  of  alle- 
giance; or,  if  qjaakers,  fubfcribe  the  declaration  ;  or,  if  Jews,  with 
the  omiilion  of  fome  Ghriflian  expredions)  ;  and  (hall  alfb  fubfcribe 
the  profeffion  of  theic  Chriftian  belief  (Jews  excepted),  as  direfled 
by  the  flatute,    i  William  and  Mary,  before  any  judge  pf  the  co- 
lony they  fhall  refide  in  ;  and-  (hall,  have  received  the  facrament  of 
the  Lord's-fupper  in.  feme  proreftant  or  reformed  congregation  in 
Great- Britain,     or    in  the  faid    colonies  (quakers  arid  Jews  ex- 
cepted))   within  three,  months  of  his   or   hen  fo  qualifying^,  and 
producing,  a  certificate  thereof,  figned  by  the  minifter  of  the  con*- 
gregation,  and  attefted  by  two  witnefles ;  a  certificate  of  all  thefe 
pj-eliminarieS)  having  been  complied   with    under    the  refpedlive 
ct>lony  ftal,  (hall  be  a  fufiicient  proof  of  his  or  her  being  thereby 
became  a  natural-born  fubjedl  of  Great- Britain  to  all  intents  and^ 
purpofes  wlwtfoever :  and  the  fecretary  of  the  colony  (hall  annu- 
ally tranfmit,  to  the  board  of  trade  and  plantations,  lifts-  of  the 
faid  peifons  fo  nati^ralized,  to  be  regiftered-  in  their  office:  pro- 
vided that-  fuch  perfons  (hall  not  thereby  be  enabled  to  be  a  privy- 
counfellor,  or  a  member  of  either  houfe  of  parliament,  or  capable 
of  taking,  having,  or  enjoying,  any  office,  or  place  of  truft,  within 
the  kingdoms  of  Great-Britain  or  Ireland,  either  civil  or  military  ; 
oc  taking  any  grant  from  the  crown  of  any  lands,,  tenements,  &c» 
within,  the  faid  kingdoms. 

In  the  conftruftion  of  this  a£t,  I  do  not  apprehend,  that  the  ab- 
fence  of  two  months  implies  any  thing  more  than  a  removal  to 
ibmf  other  dominion,  or  territory^  of  Ibme  foreign  prince*  An 
alien,  qualified  as  the  law  direfts,  may  have  his  domicile^  or  fixed 
habitation,  in  one  of  the  "Britilh  colonies,  and  neverthelefs,  by 
reafon  of  his  vocation^,  either  ot  a  merchant  or  (eaman,  be  obliged,, 
from  time,  to  time,  to  pafs  to  and  fro  between  that  and  fome  other 
Britifh  colony,,  (o  as  to  be  abfent  neceflarify  above  two  months  at 
one  time.  But,  where  his  freehold  and  family  are  located,,  there 
k  (properly  fpeaking)  his  dojnkile^  or  home.     And  it  would  be  in*-- 

confiftent. 


.  corififtent  wfththe  liberal  fptrit  and  meaning  of  the  aft  to  fay,  that 

an  alien, '  haviog  qualified,  in  Jamaica,  and  purchafed  .a  fcttlement 

.  in  that  ifland,  but  making  av  voyage  erery  year  to  the  North- Ame- 

rican,  continent,  Jn  the  way  of  trade,  or  for  health,  which  might 

caule  him  to  be  abfent  from  Jamaica  fomewhat  more  thai>  two 

/months,  fliQuld  therefore  forfeit  his  acquired  right  of  a  natural-bora 

fubjefl:.     It  is  more  reafonable  to  conclude,  that  a  refidence  in  any 

^of  the.Britifli  American  colonies  for  the  term  of  feven  years,  with- 

^  out  having  been  abfent  above  two  months  from  Britifh  territory 

,  during  that  fpace,  efFeftually  meets,  the  intention  of  the  adl. 

Foreign  proteftants,  naturalized  under  the  Jamaica  law,  pofiefs 
.  all  the  rights  of  natural-born  fubje£ls  quoad  that  ifland.  They  may 
;  purchafe  lands,  or  inherit,  or  take  grants  from  the  crown  j  have  a 
i  right  to.  reprefent,  and  be  reprefented,  in  the  aflembly,  if  they  en- 
joy; the  neceflary  qualification  in  eftate;  and  may  hold  and  exercife 
places  of  truft  in  the  military  and  civil  departments;  for  fome  of 
.themJbave  afted  under  commiflion  as  field-officers  in -the  militia, 
judges  in  the  fupreme  court  and  common-pleas,  juftices  of  the 
:peace,  &c. ;  and  the  late  fecretary,  Mr.  Ballaguire,  was  a  naturi- 
lized  German.     But  I  do  not  remembier  any  in  the  privy^council. 

The  claufe,  7  and  8  William  111.  §  12,  enading,  "  that  all 
V**  places  of  truft,  or  what  relates  to  the  treafury  of  the  Britifli 
v<«  Weft-India  iflands,  (hall  be  in  the  hands  of  native-born  fubjefts 
•**  of  England  or  Ireland,  or  of  the  faid  iflands,'*  feems  not  to  ex- 
^clude  thofe  who  by  naturalization' are  made  natural-born. 
•  The  foreigners,  who  have  taken  the  benefit  of  thefe  a<^s,'arc 
\r\Qt  very  numerous  in  Jamaica ;  but,  if  any  townfliips  (hould  be 
formed  in  the  central  parts  of  the  ifland,  perhaps  none  wolild  be 
rifitter  for  the  purpofe  of  inhabiting  them  than  French  profeftints. 

I  fliall  next  confider  the  ftate  of  the  foldiers  quartered  here. 
'The  ifland  flood  but  little  in  need  of  regular  forces,  for  its  defence, 
till  about  the  year  1730;  when  the  depredations  and.outrages, 
committed  by  the  Maroons  (or  wild  Negroes,  as  they  were  called) 
Jiad  gone  on  to  fuch  a  length,  that  the  fettlemeiits  were  in  .many 
jparts  deferted,  and  the  inhabitants  thrown  under  the, oppreffioii  of 
very  heavy  taxes.,  for  fupporting  a' continual  intcftine  war,  which 
jgreatly  interrupted  the  bufinefs  of  their  plantations.^  Thefe  mo- 
tives 


BOOK    ir.  •  CHAP.      Xlll.  303 

tives  engaged  governor  Hunter  to  folicit  the  duke  of  Newcaftle 
(then  at  the  head   of  the  miuiftry)  for.  two  regiments  of  foot ; 
which  were  accordingly  detached  from  the  garrifon  of  Gibraltar 
to  their  affiftance.     The  peof)le  wer6  told,  that  thefe  troops  would  • 
be  no  burthen  to  them,  for  that  they  Were  to  be  viftiialed  and  paid 
at  the    national   expence,    as  they   had  before' been   at  Gibraltar. 
However,    the  viftuale'rs  hot  arriving  in    due  time,  the  affembly 
ivere  called  upon  to  make  fome  pfcivifion  for  thenl  iii  xht interim  i  ■ 
to  which  they  confented,  and  pafled  a  bill  for  thispurpofe,  to  have 
a  duration  for  fix  months  only.     The  governor  had  allured  them,  ^ 
that,  fo  foon  as  the  viftualers  fliould  arrive,^,  the  provifions  they  ' 
brought  (hould  be  diftributed  inflantly  among  the  troops,  that  the  * 
ifland  might  not- be  unneceffarily  put  to  any  further  expence  for 
their  fubfiftence.     Buf  no  (boner  were  they  arrived,  than  he  caufcd  • 
the  provifions  to  be  fold,  and  retained  the  proceeds  in  his  own  ^ 
hands,  'meanly  taking  advantage  of  the  preffing  neceflSty. which  the  ' 
inhabitants  were  under  of  keeping  the  regiments,  at  any  rate,  for  * 
their   defence.  -  This  proceeding,  fo  d^fhonourable  on  the  govern 
nor's  part,  firft  gave  rife  to  the  country-pay,  or  allowance,  which  » 
issnow  granted  by  annual  bill.     Thefe  troops  were,,  foon  aftewards,  * 
diibanded  here  ;    and  fuch  of  the  men  as   inclined  to  ftay  were  * 
formed  into  eight  independent  companies,  and  kept  in  pay  by  the  • 
ifland  until  the  Negroes  were  brought  to  fubmiflion  ;  which  hap-  • 
pened  in  the  adminiftratioh  of  governor  Trelawny,  about  the  year 
1739.  .  In  the  year  1745,-  they  were  incorporated  into  a  regiment,  » 
and  the  command  given  to  that  governor.     They  then  became  in-- 
titled  to  receive  pay  from  the  crown  j  but,  neverthelefs,  the  af- 
fembly made  an  additional  provifion  of  twenty  (hillings ^^r  week  . 
to  eaich  officer,  and  five  (hillings  to  each  private.  .  This  pay  has  fince  * 
received  confiderable  augmentation;  and  it  is  at  pr,efent  upon  the  • 
following  cftablifhment :  , 

Per  Week.' 

£  .  s.    d. 
T6:  every    lieutenant-colonel,- '  major,  1 
captain,  lieutenant,  or  enfign,  —  —  J    ^    \ 

0^tain?8  lod^ng,    — *—  ■■  ■  25  J.i,i6    o    o    IVLuricd  olFidtt. 

Hie  wife,  '  -  ■    -      — —     ■  10     o 

Child,     *— — .       .—   .—    _-,        ^  .0. 

Serjeant,  corpora],  drum,  or  private,  —'-50         13  ^  ^  #•  Non-commif- 

Wttc,  — —  '      — ^-         ^' ■    ^-  '      3**9^        91?    ^>'9    5    ^  \        lioned  tind 

ChiJd|    .  ■  ■'      —*-.-*.         ■    z -^b  ^'       6  10  .0  J  ^  L       private. 


For 


304  J  .  A    M    A  .  f    C     A.   ' 

For  Lodgings.  FcrA^num. 

X/icvitenant- colonel,  "  -  •""■"        A  5^ 

"Major          **                           --"^  —"^  IIT^  ^^ 

Lieutenant,  cnfign,  or  furgeon,  — —        — ^  ^ 

They  are  likewife  allowed  to  buy  their  rum  free  of  the  ifland 
duty,  which  is  a  faving  of  from  i  j.  to  is.  6d. per  gallon;  an  ad- 
vantage purpofely  given  them  by  the  legiflature,  that  they  might 
be  enabled  to  buy  it  of  the  beft  quality,  inftead  of  debauching;  with 
the  balderdafh  liquor,  ibid  under  the  name  of  rum  by  the  keepers 

of  retail  (hops. 

The  fubfiftence  is.,  in  the  three  towns  of  St.  Jago,  Kingfton, 
and  Port  Royal,  paid  into  the  hands  of  the  men;  but,  m 
the  country-quarters,  to  their  commanding  officers,  for  the  ufe 
of  the  foldiers.  A  diverfity  of  opinion  has  prevailed  in  regard 
to  this  raiode  of  payment ;  as  the  foldiers  in  forae  of  the 
country  quarters  have,  in  one  or  two  iiiftances,  appeared  to 
have  been  defrauded  of  their  dues,  or  fupplied  with  putrid  and  un- 
whole&meprovifions,  which  were  fold  to  them  much  alcove  their 
prime- cofl:.  It  was  argued,  that,  with  money  in  their  hands,  the 
men  might  purchafe  much  better  in  quality,  and  more  in  quantity, 
of  fre(h  meat  and  whole/bme  victuals;  and  that  every  country- 
barrack  would  attradl:  a  market  for  the  fale  of  hogs,  poultry,  frefh 
.fi(h,  fruits,  and  roots,  which  are  articles  produced  and  vended   by 

almoft  all  ^i^^  Negroes. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  w.a6  alledged,  that,  by  paying  the  al- 
lowance in  money  to  the  common  Ibldiers,  they  would  become, 
in  fome  degree,  independent  of  their  officers ;  that  they  would 
•diffipate  it  in  fpirituous  liquors,  grow  enervated  with  tipling,  re- 
laxed  in  their  difcipllne,  and  impaired  in  their  vigour  and  health. 

I  do  not  take  upon  me  to-  reconcile  tbeie  different  opinions  ;  but 
certain  it  is,  that  all  the  men  are  not  prone  to  drunkennefs^  in  par- 
ticular thofe  who  have  wives  and  children  ;  that  they  prefer  frefii 
meat  to  fait,  and  the  many  excellent  roots,  pulfe,  and  herbs,*of  the 
ifland  produce,  to  bifcuit,  which  will  not  keep  any  long  time 
undecayed  in  this  climate  ;  that  a  pound  of  frefh  meat  is  far  more 
-nutritive,  and  will  go  much  further  in  fatisfying  hunger,  thaji  a 
pound  of  beef  hardened  with  fait ;  that  falt-beef  creates  an  arti- 
iicial  thirft;  and  that  this  produces  a  xonftant  appetite  for  drink, 

and 


BOOK    II.      C,H  A  P.    XIIL  ^05 

and  thetefof e  mpft  likelys  eitlier  to  make  fbt$  of  thofe  men  who 
were  not  fuch  before,  or  to  confirm  others  more  inveterately,  m 
their  drunken  habits;  and,  laftly,  that  money  and  a  demand  are 
the,  only  things  requifite  to  procure  a  regular  and  well-fupplied 
market  in  a  country  which  abounds  with  provifion*  There  is, 
moreover,  a  very  great  difference  in  the  air  and  fituation  of  the 
different  barracks ;  fo.  that,  in  fome  of  them,  a  diet  on  fait  pro- 
vifibn,  concurring  with  any  local  depravity  of  the  atmofphere^ 
may  difpofethe  body  to  very  malignant  diflempers ;  while,  in  other 
barracks,  the  fame  diet  may  prove  much  lefs  injurious  to  a  fbldier*^ 
health.  Thus,  of  fifty  unfeafoned  men,  quartered  at  an  inland 
barrack  for  three  years,  not  one  died  of  any  diftemper;  thotigh 
other  companies  of  the  fame  regiment,  quartered  off  unhealthy 
fpots  near  the  coaft,  were  fickly,  and  buried  feveral  of  their  men. 
I  would  not  mean  to  infinuate  any  thing  to  the  difadvantage  of  fo 
refpedtable  a  body  as  the  officers  in  general  are ;  but  fome  among 
them  are  not  immaculate;  nor  is  it  to  be  fuppofed  but  they  arq 
fubjeft,  like  other  men,  to  human  frailties.  The  worthier  part  of  , 
them,  I  am  convinced,  upon  a  due  confideration  of  the  fubjed^, 
might  fall  on  fome  plan  of  regulation,  to  the  end  that  thefe  bene- 
volent aids,  which  the  inhabitants  grant  to  the  poor  foldlers  and 
their  families,  may  not  be  mifapplied ;  that  their  health  (hould  bg 
>efie£l:ually  confulted,  as  well  by  feeding  them  with  wholefome  pro- 
vifions,  as  by  reftraining  them  from  the  immoderate  ufe  of  ipi- 
rituous  liquors. 

An  officer,  who  attends  ftriftly  to  the  health  of  hismen  in  both 
cafes,  certainly  renders  the  moft  efl'ential  fervice  to  the  king  and  to 
the  public,  and  makes  the  beft  return  to  the  good  intentions  of  the 
people,-  by  thus  fupporting  the  ability  of  the  troops,  to  give  that 
proteftion  in  time  of  need,  which,  I  conceive,  is  the  chief  defign  of 
their  being  flationed  in  this  ifland. 

By  the  encouragements  given  to  the  troops,  the  fervice  here  is 
become  far  lefs  difagreeable  than  in  mofl  other  parts  of  tlie  Weft- 
Indies.  The  private  men,  who  are  married,  are,  by  living  in  a 
regular  manner,  more  healthy  than  the  unmarried.  The  children 
are  very  little  burthenfome to  their  parents;  and,  when  a  woman 
has  the  misfortune  of  loiing  her  huiband,  fhe  continues  but  a  lliort 
Vol.  IL         •  R  r  tinicj 


3od  JAMAICA. 

time  ;n  a  ftate  of  viduity :  the  fame  reafon,  which  in  England 
might  deter  any  fuitors  from  addrefling  her^  namely  a  crowd  of 
children,  is  here  the  certain  recommendation  to  a  number  of  can^ 
didates  for  the  honour  of  her  hand  j  and  happy  is  he>  who  fucceeds, 
and  gains  her  in  marriage ;  for  he  enters  into  preftnt  pofleiHbn  of 
her  children's  pay,  which  continues  even  though  feme  of  them 
may  be  capable  of  earning  an  income  with  their  own  hands.  And 
from  this  fource,  for  every  able-bodied  foldier  thus  fent  abroad 
from  Great-Britain,  that  kingdom  may  poffibly  receive  back,  at 
the  time  the  forces  are  recalled,  a  large  flock  of  young  recruits,  to 
fupply  the  loffes  occafionedby  death  during  the "^  abode  of  the  re- 
giments in  Jamaica.  But,  if  any  flay  behind,  they  probably  ac- 
quire more  riches  to  the  nation  by  exerting  their  induflry  in  the 
colony,  than  they  could  have  done  had  they  returned  to  the  mo- 
ther country. 

The  author  of  a  pamphlet,  entitled,  ^«  Confederations  upon  the 
♦*  Military  Eflablifhments  of  Great-Britain  and  her  Colonies/*  re- 
commends to  government,  ^^  that  the  troops,  intended  for  garri- 
**  fbning  the  Wefl-Indies,  fhould,  after  pafling  three  years  at  NeWf 
<*  Yorki  be  removed  to  the  Wefl-Indies ;  and,  after  three  years 
^<  longer  flay  to  garrifon  thofe  parts,  fhould  be  recalled  home, 
«<  being  firfl  compleated  to  their  full  numbers  before  their  return  to 
«<  Britain  ;  and  fuch  numbers  to  be  fupplied  by  the  refpe6live  iflands 
^^  and  colonies/*  The  former  part  of  this  fcheme  feems  phufible 
enoqghj  becaufe  the  vicinity  of  New- York  to  the  Wefl-Indies 
may  admit  of  fuch  a  remove  with  great  expedition  and  facility ; 
and  becaufe  the  troops,  after  enduring  three  North-American  fum- 
mejs,  which  are  even  hotter  than  the  fame  feafbn  of  the  year  in 
our  Wefl-lndia  iflands,  may  be  fuppofed  tolerably  well  feafbned  to 
the  change.  But  their  cloathing  fhould  be  very  different  for  the 
Wefl*India  fervice  i&om  what  might  be  thought  neceflary  in  North- 
America  ;  and  they  ought  to  arrive  at  their  Wefl-India  deflination 
in  December,  January,  February,  or  March,  that  they  might  not, 
in  feparating  to  their  country-quarters,  be  expofed  to  either  the  in- 
clemency of  the  rainy  feafbns,  or  the  great  heats  of  the  fummer 
months.  The  author's  propofition  about  rc^cruiting  the  regiments 
on  the  fpot  is  by  no  means  admiflible  with  refpeA  to  the  Weft-In- 
dia 


BOOK    n.      CHAP.    XIU,  007 

dia  i (lands ;  for^  if  it  was  praAicable  to  make  fuch  drains  from 
thefe  iflands,  already  in  want  of  white  men,  ^r  fiich  a  purpote, 
they  would  occafion  a  very  great  infecurity,  by  wafting  the  (ubilan- 
tial  ftrength  of  every  colony  every  third  year,  and  by  that  means 
endanger  our  fettlements  in  them,  without  efFe£ling  any  collateral 
benefit  either  to  the  army  or  nation;  for  fuch  recruits  would  be  of 
very  little  fervice  after  their  emigration  to  Europe  ;  the  change  to 
a  damp,  cold  climate^  and  hard  duty,  would  foon  render  them  in- 
valids. Befides,  their  inlifting  of  hired  and  indented  fervants  (for 
none  other  are  likely  to  offer)  would  inevitably  obftrudl:  the  planting 
bufinefs,  and  occafion  continunl  quarrels  and  law-fuits  between  the 
planters  and  the  military ;  which,  in  their  confequences,  might 
prove  extremely  embarraffing  to  government  both  abroad  and  at 
home. 

The  laws,  for  inf^ance,  of  Jamaica  inflift  a  penalty  of  200/.  on 
any  captain,  or  commander,  of  any  (hip,  attempting  to  carry  away 
a  hired  or  indented  fervant  as  a  failor  or  pafl'enger.  They  make 
the  carrying  off  any  fuch  fervant,  by  any  perfon,  felony,  without 
benefit  of  clergy;  and  impofe  a  penalty  likewife  of  20A  on  every 
perfon  hiding,  hiring,  or  employing,  a  hired  Or  indented  fervant 
without  a  difcharge  from  his  lad  mailer  or  employer,  attefled  by  a 
juftice  of  the  peace.  The  parliament,  no  lefs  attentive  to  the  fe- 
curity  and  welfare  of  the  Weft-r India  iflands,  in  1746,  pafled  am 
z€t  to  prevent  the  imprefling  of  mariners  in  thofe  parts ^  and,  in' 
1756,  when  the  defence  of  the  North- American  provinces  required 
that  indented  fervants  fhould  be  inlifled,  they  took  care  to  reflraia 
the  permifSon,  by  the  mofl  exprefs  words,  to  "  the  Britifh  colo- 
««  nies  upon  the  continent  of  America  ;'•  which  evinces  their  cau- 
tion, that  no  pretence  might  be  made  for  extending  this  a£t  to  the 
Wefl-India  colonies. 

The  North-American  recruits  are,  in  general,  unfit  for  the 
Wefl-lndia  fervice;  for  which  reafon  (unlefs  there  appears  any  in- 
vincible neceffity  to  juflify  fuch  an  expedient),  it  might  be  more  ad- 
vifeable  to  recrait  from  Europe  than  from  that  continent ;  for  the 
North-Americans  are  far  lefs  hardy  than  the  Europeans,  and, 
during  the  laft  ai;id  former  war,  died  in  numbers  whenever  they 
were  removed  to  a  diftaiice  from  home.    It  is  very  difficult  for 

R  r  2  them 


Vol  «         JAMAICA. 

•  •      • 

Aem  to  inure  thimfclves  to  a  climate  different  from  their  own; 
nor  do  they  bear  tranfplanting  into  the  Southern  colonies  fo  well 
as  the  Britifli,  Iri(h,  Germans,  or  Swifs.  I  cannot  therefore  but 
furmife,  that  fuch  a  project,  if  carried  into  execution,  would  prove 
in  the  iflue  no  better  than  a  plan  for  facrificing  triennially  fo  many 
hundred  poor  viftims,  and  effentially  diftreffing  the  fervice.  In  the 
expeftation  of  two  thoufand  efFedive  foldiers  to  be  conftantly  kept 
here,  the  inhabitants  expended  near  1 00,000 /•  in  building  barracks 
for  their  accommodation  ;  which  are  fo  difpofed  among  the  different 
parifhes,  that  they  are  calculated  to  afford  a  general  protection  to 
the  internal  parts,  and  capable  of  holding  more  than  that  number 
of  men,  beiides  their  officers.  But,  in  1 764,  when  the  49th  and 
74th  regiments  were  relieved,  the  people  had  the  mortification  to 
find,  that,  inftead  of  two  regiments  of  one  thoufand  men  each, 
they  were  to  be  protefted  by  two  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  each ; 
which  was  lefs  than  one  half  the  complement  they  expefled ;  and 
confequently  their  barracks,  on  which  they  had  laid  out  fuch  large 
fums  of  money,  raifed  by  taxes,  which  fell  very  heavily  on  the 
planters,  for  three  years,  were  left  to  moulder  into  decay,  for  want 
of  being  tenanted. 

The  fmalleft  number  that  ought  be  cantoned  here,  for  the  in- 
ternal fecurity  of  the  ifland  in  time  of  peace,  is  an  eflablifhment 
of  one  thoufand  and  thirty-five  efFedlives,  to  be  diftributed  ac- 
cording tcf  the  plan  hereafter  defcribed  ;  by  which,  every  one  of  the 
new  barracks  would  be  garrifoned,  and  kept  from  going  to  decay ; 
and  the  guard  fo  well  balanced  in  the  refpeftive  counties  and  pa- 
rifhes, in  proportion  to  the  danger  they  may  feverally  be  expofed  to 
from  fudden  infurreflions,  as  would  probably  be  an  effe^ual  curb 
upon  the  mutinous  and  difafFeded*  But,  to  form  a  body  for  this 
eflablifhment,  either  two  reduced  regiments  fhould  be  raifed  to  five 
hundred  and  twenty-five  men  each;  or  one  regiment,  under  the 
name  of  the  Royal  American,  be  compleated  to  one  thoufand  and 
thirty- five  men.  In  time  of  war,  if  government  (hould  judge  two 
regiments  neceflfary  for  the  better  defence  of  the  ifland  againft  fo- 
reign enemies,  it  will  appear  from  the  following  ftate  of  the  bar- 
racks, that,  they  are  in  a  condition  to  accommodate  between  two 
and  three  thoufand  men  excluiive  of  their  officers^ 

4  Prefent 


BOOK  n.    CHAP,  xni; 

Prefent  State  of  the  difierent  Barracks : 


309 


CountjTi 


Mlddlefex,  «< 


Pariih. 

Su  CatbarinCy 
Ditto, 

St.  Dorothy, 
St.  John, 
St.  Mar/, 
Ditto, 
Ditto, 
Ditto, 
St.  Anne, 
Clarendon, 
.Vcre, 

Port  Royal, 
'  Kingflon, 
Ditto* 
St.  Andrew, 


Situation  of  larracks* 

St.  Jago  de  la  Vega, 
Fort  Augufla, 
Old  Harbour, 
Point  HiU, 
Bagnals, 
Port  Maria, 
AuracabefTa, 
Anoito  Bay,. 
Port  St.  Anne, 
Chapel, 
Carlifle  Bay, 

Fort  Charles, 
Kingflon, 
Rock  Fort, 
Stony  Hill, 


Number  of  Troops  tbey  con  re« 
ceive,  exdufive  of  Officen« 

■  300 
— -  300 

70 

■  70 

■  70 

60 

"^;      "    ■  60 

—  70 

■         '      *  7^ 

——  ICO 

SO 


Surryi.        <  St. Thomas  ia  theEaft,    Monint  Bay, 


Cornwall^ 


Ditto, 
Ditto, 
Ponland, 
^St.  George, 


rSt.  Elizabeth, 
I  Weflmoreland,. 
J  Ditto, 
'  Hanover, 
St.  Janies,- 


Port  Morant, 
Bath, 
Fort  Geo 


rge, 
rPoi 


Gibraltar  Point, 

Black  River, 
Savann^  la  Mar, 
Delve,    . 
St.  Lucia, 
Montego  Bay, 
Marthabrae, 


1220 


300 

200 

70 

120 

^5 
^5 
^S 
70 
70 

30 

70 

100 

47 
100 

100 


^5 


447, 
Total  in  the  three  counties,  2§jz 

Befides  thefe,   there  are  fcveralold  barracks^  which  were  buik 
during  the  war  with  the  Marons,  and  areftill  kept  in  repair;  viz^^ 
in  Middlefex  fix;    Surry  two;   Cornwall   three;    in  alJ,    eleven ;. 
which  are  capable  of  holding  a   confiderable  body  of  men,  if  oc- 
cafion  fhould  ever  require  their  being  garrifoned  [a].     A  governor^ 
once  replied,  when  he  was  folicited  for  a  party  to  be  quartered  at 
one  of  the  inland  barracks,  "  that  his  raajefty*s  troops  were  fent 
<<  hither  to  guard  the  coads,  not  to  prote£t  the  internal  diftrifts 
t*  from  Negroe  infurgents."     But  it  is  hoped  that  every  admini* 
f|ration  will  not  be  guided  by  fo  abfurd  a  policy*    The  noen  of  pro* 
perty  inthis  ifland  pay  an  ample  contribution,,  in  order  that  it  may 
be  protefted,   not  fo  much  from  French  or  Spaniards,  as   againft 
the  machinations  of  the  many  thoufand  flaves,  which,  in  proportion:- 
as  the  fettlements  advance  further  and  further  into  the  heart  of  the 

[a}  Thefe  would  be  moft  conyenient  for  receiving  the  corps  of  rangera  propoied,  undecv  the^ 
head  of  «  Militia;* 

country, 


JAMAICA. 

country^  grow  tlie  more  formidable  from  their  multitude :  I  fpeak 
chiefly  of  imported  Africans,  who  are  the  moft  to  be  feared.  Men 
ihuft  firft  believe  their  life  and  fortune  tolerably  fecure,  before  they 
will  venture  to  fettle.  But  if  the  troops,  inftead  of  being  gar- 
rifoned  in  the  internal  parts,  where  the  greateft  danger  lies,  where 
the  fettlements  are  few  and  fcattered,  and  incapable  of  defending 
themfelves,  are  ranged  along  the  coafts,  which  in  time  of  peace 
require  no  fuch  guards,  and  at  any  time  are  leaft  healthy,  and  too 
remote  from  the  centre  to  aflbrd  a  feafonable  relief;  can  the  in- 
« habitants  be  faid  to  receive  that  degree  of  proteflkion  from  them, 
to  which  they  are  entitled?  It  msiy  perhaps  be  never  prudent  to 
.leave  the  maritime  forts  without  ibme  garrifon,  to  prevent  fur- 
prizes;  and  the  larger  towns  require  a  fufficiently  flrong  guard, 
for  many  obvious  jrealbns.  To  anfwcr  therefore  every  one  of  thefe 
purpofes,  we  may  fuppofe  the  following  eftablifliment  of  a  corps, 
:for  this  fervice,  to  confifl  of 

Twenty  companies,  of  fifty  privates  each,        — -     —    looo 
Two  field-ofHcers, 
Twenty  captains. 
Twenty  lieutenants, 
'Thirty  fuigeoos  mates. 
Two  fiirgeons  in  chie^ 
Forty  ferjeants. 
Twenty  corporals*       -^     ■  — —        — —  — i..      134 

The  complement  total,     1054 
The  offices  of -barrack-mafters  and  adjutants  might  be  executed 
by  ibme  of  the  cour  of  officers. 

Fortheir  cantonment  in  time  of  peace,  I  propolfe  the  fbllowmg 
fcheme;  by  which  it  will  appear,  that  the  principal  towns  and 
port  are  [well  guarded,  and  the  mofl  unfettled  di{lri£ts  as  well  de- 
ffended,  as  the  number  can  admit  on  the  fcale  of  an  equal  proteAton. 


Head« 


/ 


BOOK    IT.      CHAP.    Xm. 


County. 


Middle&X}  4 


Parift. 

Su  Catharine^ 

Ditto, 

'St^  Doro^t 

St.  John, 

Sti  Maiy, 

Ditto, 

Ditto, 

St;  Anne, 

Clarendoni 

Vcne, 


Head-quarters^  St.  Jago  de  k  Vega. 

Situation* 

Si.  Jago, 
Fort  Augufla, 
Old  Harbour, 
Point  HU], 
Port  Maria, 
Auracabefla, 
Anotta  Bay, 
Pbrt  St.  Annei 
Chnpcl, 
Carfiae  Ray, 


rPort  Royal, 
-  kingilott, 

t.Ai 


Sooyi 


fidrew, 
Thomas  in  the  £aft, 


I  Ditto, 
I  Ponland, 
tSu  George, 


Port  Royal, 

Kingdon  and  Rock  Fort, 

Stony  Hill, 

Morant  Bay, 

Port  Morant^ 

Bath, 

Fort  George, 

Gibraltar, 


N*  of  each 
Garrtfon. 
200 

la 

12 

50 

2J 

~o 
75 
50 

12 
It 

^5 

i^ 

so 


311 

Total  in  each 
Countj. 


456 


C6nkwaS, 


fSt.  £lizabeth;N. 

Weftmoreland, 

Ditto, 
1  HanoYer, , 

St.  James,* 


^5 
^5 


4H' 


Bburk  River, 

Savannah  la  Mar, 
Delve, 
Lucea, 

Montego  Bsly,  - 
Matthabrac^ , 

Total,        1035 

The^additionare3cpence  tothe  iflhnd  for  their  maintenance  would ' 
(by  the  heft  calculation  I  can  make)  not  exceed  the  prefent  annual 
fripply  more  than*  7000/.,  even   allowing  one  third  of  mcrf  and' 
officers  td  be  married,  and  to  have  one  child  each  at  an  averagi^;' 
which  is  certainly  a  very  large  reckoning;  fbthat  the  ifland,  if  it 
be  thought  neceiiary,  is  -  capable  of  fupporting  fuch^  an  laugmen* 
tation;  much  more  fo  (it  may  be  imagined)  -at  this  time  than  fooii^ 
years  ago^  when-  the  aflembly  petitioned  for  a  conilant  eftabli(h« 
ment  of  two  thbufand  men,  which  would  have  brought  upon^  them 
^n  additional  charge,  of  at  lead:  18,000/.  pef  annum.* 

In  regard  to  the  ilate  of  health  of  the-'ibldiers  here,  the  ibll6wing> 
table  will  convey  fome  idea  of  it.  I  have  already  noticed  i^eral  > 
cauies  of  their  ill  health  in  particular  cantonments,  which  may 
admit  of  fome  fit  regulations  for  their  remedy.  The  complement^ 
of  the  two  regiments,  landed  here  in  June,  1 764,  and  lately  re- 
Keved*  confided,  as  I  am  informed  (at  four  huadred  and  fifty  each" 
irtduced  eftabli(hment),  of  nine  hundred  efTe^ives  j  and  it  is  proper 

to 


I77I 


3x4  JAMAICA. 

to  remark,  that  the  36th  was  kept  at  head-quarters  and  neighbour* 
hood;  and  the  66th  at  the  out-pofts. 

Deaths. 
Regiment  36th.  Regiment  66th. 

1764,  ■  30  ■  —     102 

5,  53 n _      32 

6,  30  ' —      30 

7,  22  ~      30 

8,  ■   ■     —    27  — —        " —      41 

9,  29  32 

1770,  4^  —      43 

-.    ■    I        28  ■  —      23 

Totals,     261  ■'"  ■    "        —    ^23 

Aver  age  f  per  annum  f    324.  »  ■  —      414. 

According  to  this  table,  of  the  36th  there  died,  per  annum^  one 
in  every  fourteen  ;  and,  of  the  66th,  one  in  every  eleven.  The 
fmalleft  lofs  of  the  36th  was  about  one  in  twenty ;  and,  of  the 
66th,  about  one  in  nineteen.  The  havoc  among  the  66th,  on 
the  firft  year  of  their  arrival,  I  have  accounted  for,  in  fpeaking  of 
the  quarters  of  Black  River  and  fome  other  out-pofts.  In  that 
year  a  detachment  was  fent  on  the  Havannah  fervice ;  and  the  ftate 
of  the  troops  appeared,  from  the  return  then  laid  before  the  af- 
fembly,  as  follows;  viz. 

Detachment,  .  ■    ■   >■         500  Men 

EfFedives  remaining,       ■        — —  30 1 

In  the  hofpital,      ■  ■  104 

905 
Of  thofe  in  hofpital,  the  governor  mentioned  that  ievemltwere  re*, 

covered  fit  for  duty  finCe  the  1  aft  returns  had  been  made  j  and  that 
others  were  in  a  fair  way. 

The  calculations,  which  Dr.  Price  has  made,  are; 
Deaths,  —  1  in  20 J,  London ;  —  i  in  19I,  Vienna ;  — pfr  anrnnu^ . 

Now,  it  is  worthy  experiment,  whether,  by  proper  die^  of  frefli 
tQeat,    a  moderate  allowance  of  the  beft  rum,  and  care  in  re»i 
moving  all  nuifances,  and  fdurces  of  putrid  diftempers,  from  thA. 
feveral  barracks  in  this  ifland,  the  deaths  might  not  be  reduced  to 

the 


BOO.K   n-   TCHAF.    Xllt  ^tg 

the  fiauditd  of  London  ot  VienkYa*  Let  tsts  however  compare  the 
aboyfiiaccoant  (bad  as  it  may  iieem)  with  two  examples,  one  takht 
IrDm  the  £aft^  atid  the  other  &om  the  Weflr-Indies.  It  was  aot  loo^ 
fmce  given  in  evideoceiy  before  the  flouie  of  Commons,  that  the 
climate  of  the  Eaft-ladics  deftroyed  700  out  df  40(Do  meii,  in  one 
campaign  after  their  arriral.  On  the  expedition  to  St.  Vincenit,  one 
r^ment  btined  112  in  oneyoar,  and  309  in  three  ;  the  average  of 
which  is  about  i  in  every  4.  The  truth  is,  as  I>r.  Lind  has  well 
obfer ved,  that  every  iiland  in  the  Wed-Indies^  and^ther  parts  of  the 
world,  has  its  healthy  and  Unhealthy  Ipots*  The  Mature  and  exigen- 
cies of  tiie.  fcrvke  prevent  tlie  troops,  fent  oter  to  garrilbn  our 
hrger  iilands,  from  being  kept  on  any  one  paf tUular  fpot^  which 
might  be  ieled^d  oil  Account  of  its  good  air ;  in  fbme  ca&s^neceflity, 
in  others  inattentioi)  to  the  important  evils,  which  originate  from 
ieemingly  trifling  caufes,  have  occaiiobed  the  eir&llion  of  barracks  hi 
very .  improper  ^tuations ;  n^r  fwainps,  the  oozy  banks'oF  rivers^ 
and  {linking  lagoon  waters.  Sometimes  an  injudicious  pofition  of 
the  frck  vTards  and  offices^  has  thrown  a  cdtrftaW' aiinoyianoe  of' an 
impurc^air  Bpoa  ihe  beaithy  ;  and  fometimes-'a  tendency  to  ficknefs/ 
and  bad  fevers,  has  arifen  from  the  very  materials  with  which  the 
barracks  ha^e  been  built.  Thusf,  the  bafi'acks  in  Clareildon  and  at 
Bath,  being  of  ftoAo,  were  fmttd  inialutary  to  the  men  lodged  in 
them,'  until  the  waiU  Wer6  lin^d  with  plaiAer.  Some  fpecies  of 
fione  are  extremely  poro<us,  ia:nbibing  and  ^ranluding  moifture  free* 
ly;  others  are  £0  firm  aid  cSKkipa^  in  their  texture^  that  they  con-^ 
dcnfe  the  watery  partlclei^ttt  damp  breather  upon  their  furfacc,  which 
trickle  dpWn  the  fidi^s  of  walls,  or  pafs  off  again  in  a  reek.  Stone 
boildingB,  itithotM  fomfe  precautions,  are  not  wholefome  habitations 
in  the  Weft-*Ii^ies.  tUey  dught  to  be  furrounded  with  a  lived,  or 
piazza,  to  keep  off  thebeatiag  of  heavy  ihoUrers;  the  walls  within' 
jhoald  eltiitt  be  litftd  witti  a  facing  of  brickwork^  plaiftered,  or  of 
boards,/fet  off  about  I  or  st  inches,  leaving  a'  fpace  behind  for  the 
fiee  cicculntioD  of*  air  between'^  in  order  to  prevent  their  becoming 
damp*  The  ill  contrivance  of  the  barrack  at  Lucea,  I  have  noticed 
in  the  aoceuiit  of  Han6ferpati&;  if  the  hofpital  thdre,.  the  fterco- 
rary^  atdl^ittfaen,  \we  chat^^dto  leeivard  of  the^wellihg,  this 
barrackijsi Air  other  jre^beb'  nbt'ilJ'fituated. for, health*  The  fkmtf 
Vol*  II.  S  f  remark 


314  J    A    M    A    I    C    A.: 

.remark  maybe  applied iikewife,  tofbmeotherbarradcsldtheiflaiul^ 
which  require  more  windows  for  admitting  the  air,  proper  remedies 
£ar  damp  walls,  the  draining  away  of  fiagnaot  water,,  and  removal 
of  the  fick  wards  and  offenfive  fmells,  to  a  quarter .  where  they 
may  not  incommode  the  men  who  are  in  healths 

Reaibn  and  experience  point  out,  that  men,  coming  from  a  jcold 
into  a  hot  climate,  ihouid  make  the  change  at  that  feaibn  of  the 
year,  when  the  degree  of  heat  is  leaft  at  the  place  of  their  de- 
clination ;  by  which  means,  the  tranfition  will  be  more  gradual, 
and  therefore  produdlive  of  a  lefs  violent  (hock  to  the  confllcution. 
On  their  firft  arrival,  the  change  of  climate  moft  commonly  brings 
on  a  diarrhoea.  If  the  men  at  this  time,  and  during  the  fucceeding 
4^  twelve  months,  are  not  hindered  from  befbtting  thenifelves  with 
new  rum,  or  from  dieting  too  conftantly  upon  fait  fi(h,  fait  beef  or 
jK^rk,  and  rancid  butter  ;  they  will  probably  be  £eized  with  violent 
fevers  of  the  putrid  clafs,  audit  may  be  expected  that  many  of  them 
wiH  die. 

The  moft  wholefbme  beverage  for  them  would  be  fugiir  and 
water,  with  or  without  a  moderate  allowance  of  old  rum ;  what  is 
ftill  preferable,  is  the  coof  drinks  prepared  here  by  many  of  the  free 
>Negroe  and  Mulatta  women,  who  vend  it  cheap  to  the  ibldiers.  It 
is  made  with  a  mixture  of  fugar,  guaicumr  chips^  and  gingec,  infbfed 
together  in  hot  water,  ;and  afterwards,  worked  into  a  fi^rment,  with 
a  piece  of  fre(h  gathered  chaw-llick ;  wht^h,  by  the  quantity  of 
iixed  air  contained  in.  if,  fbon  eiceites  a  confiderahle  froth,,  and 
imparts  a  flight  bitter,  of  a  very  agreeable  flavour.  This  drink, 
when  cool  and  depurated,  is  racy  and  pleaiant,  extremely L whole- 
ibme,  and,  if  taken  in  too  large '  quantities,  intoxicates  in  ibme 
degree,  but  without  caufing  any  ill  effeft  to  the  :Confiitution. 
This  liquor  might  eafily  be  breWed  twice  or  oftener  in  the  week, 
at  the  barracks,  and  drank  by  way  of  a  change^  .*  The  pladtains, 
yams,  and  cafiava  bread,  are  nutritious,  wholefbme,  and,,  after 
a  little  ufe,  preferred  by  moft  of  the  ibldiers  to  flour  bread  or 
bifcuit  at  their  principal  meal,  and  are  :far.  cheaper.  The  potatoes  and 
cocos  arc  not  lefs  hourifliing.  rHalf  a  pouiid  of 'what  is  called  in 
England  make-weight  beef,  coniiiliug  df  the  coarfer.  parts,  with 
tome  of  theie!rooti,  the  efculent  herbs  of  thp.coxmb?yiiiiidLas.the 

i  '  .!    .colklU) 


BQ0K,ll4    CHAP.    XIIL  315. 

colaliii  OCM,  .Sa'cevery  whore  to  be  had  in  ahundaiifc,  with  a 
fmall  feafonihg  of  the  country  pepper  to  correA  their  flatuknce, 
would  make  a  ]XU)ft  wholefome  and  ftrengthening  mefs  for  one  or 
two  ment  and  at  no  greater  charge  thap  about  6^«  or  at  moft 
7 1  i»  currency. 

Particular  attention  ought  likewife  to  be  given  to  the  quality  of 
the  watery  with  which  the  men  are  fupplied.  The.  barracks  at  Port 
Royal  and  Fort  Augufta.  are  ferved  from  the  Rio  Cobre^  a  perfon 
being  paid  about  400  L  per  annum  for  this  purpofe :  it  would  pro- 
perly be  the  furgeon's  duty  to  examine  this  water  from  time  to 
time,  left,  to  fave  a  little  trouble,  it  (hould  be.  taken  up  too  near 
the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  fo  be  impcegnated  with  rhe  fait  water 
in  the  harbour:  it  ought  likewife  to  b/&  fufFered  to. fettle  for  fome 
time  in  calks  or  jars,  that  it  may  not  be  drank  in  a  turbid  ftatCj 
which  would  probably  occafion  fluxes, 

It  was  intended,  fome  time  (ince,  to  form  a  ciftern  at  Port  Royal, 
to  be  lin^d  with  lead,  for  holdiug  \frater  for  the  ufe  of  the  troops 
quartered  there  :  but  it  may  nbt.bd  improper  to  remark  here,  by  the 
way,  that  "Vv^ter,  ftanding  for  any  time  in  a  leaded  veffel,  becomes 
imprtgnated  with  the  poifonous  qualities  of  that  metal ;;  apd  from  late 
difcoverics,  and  many  well-attefted  fafts,  has  been  found  to  produce 
obftinate  conftipations,  and  cholicky  diforders  in  the  bowels,  and  not 
unfrequently  paralytic  complaints.  The  water  at  Rock  Fort  is 
brackiflx  and  unwholefomfi ;  hut  the  officer  commanding  there,  being 
allowed  a  boat,  and  (ix  Negroes  to  navigate  it,  might  eafily  fupply 
that  fmall  garrifon  frotp  Kiogfton.  At  thofe  places  (if  any  fuch 
there  are  in  this  ifland)  where  none  other  than  brackifli  water  can 
poffibly  be  pi^ocured,  it  may  be  rendered  potable  and  wholefome  by 
diftillatipnfiJ];  or  by  fyffibring  it  to  percolate  through  fand,  with  which 
ieveral  puncheons,  open  at  oneisnd,  might  be  filled  toone  third  of 
their  depth. 

.  Coolnefs  of  drefs  is  another  qilential  article,  whenever  they  arc 
on  a  march  in  the  country.    When  lieutenant  colonel  Spragge 

\h]  Cit|>ltti&  Walls,  ofhU  inajcity'sifbip  Dolphin,  mentions,  that  in  5  hours  and  a  quarto's  diftil- 
latipn^  %t  obfiuned  from  ^  gallosis  of  fiba  water  fix ,  and  ^thiny  gallons  of  f)nc(h|  •  at  |in  ^xpcnce  6E 
ninepounds  weight  of  wood,  and,  fixty-nine,  pound*  )veigl|t  of  coals.  Thirteen  gaUons  and  two 
quarts  remai^  in.the  fltll ;  and  that  which 'came  iXl  had  no  in  tafte^  nor  "(as  he  had  oitai 
experienced)  any  hurtful  quality. 

Voyage  round  the  World,  toX.  I.  p,  5 1  j, 

S  r  2  commanded 


3i6  J    A    M    A    li  C    A. 

eommanded  a  parfy  of  the  forty-ninth  rjegimettt^  .againft  tiio 
Maroiv  Negroe^^  he  provideid  hb:  men  wish  flannel  jackets^  lined 
with  linen ;  this  was  their  o&Jy  covering  overthe  Qxixt^  lii  the  dayv 
times  they  wore  the  linen  next  their  bodies^  and  at.  night  tha 
woollen  :  in  this  drefs,  they  were  cool  by  day,  fufficieutly^  warm  at 
night,  aiid  went  fihtiough  uii  aftoniftiiug  courfe  of  £aiigQe^;  without 
injury  to  their  healths-;  not  0ne  of  the  party  haying  £3iUm>  (kh 
during  the  whole  time  of  their  being  on  tiiat  ferviee  j      I  ' 

The  laws  of  the  ifland  contain  very  few  particulars  relative  to 
the  regular  troops^  The  hiring^  conaeaUng,  employing^  entiertatU'* 
ing9  or  carrying  4llfiP  any  ioddier.  belonging  to  any  regitntni^quarteired 
here,  or  feaman  belonging  to  any  of  his  majefty's  fhipaan  this  fta- 
tion,  without  a  difcharge  ftcat  their  commanding  oifioer^.  fubje(^ 
tl^e  offender,  upon  conviftion,  to  the  peiwlty  of  50/.;  andtbeperfow 
fo  hired,  &c.  is  admitted  an  evidence,  and  entitled,  to  oaa:  half  the 
fine  for  informing. 

A  ibldier,  maimed  or>  wounded  Jn  MJy^  publicly  lecvice,.  is:  ta  be 
cured  and  maintained  at  the  publick  charge  [c]. 

A  lot  of  land  at  Bath  is  referved^  for  eredliug  an  infirmairy  for 
fick  fdldiers^  l&bouring  under  complaints  rcmqdiable  by  tbe^iyaters; 
ai>d  another  lot  for  a  burial-ground. 

Contiguous  to  all  the  old  country  barracks,,  one  hundred  acres  are 
allotted  for  the  ufe  of  the  foldiers,  who.  may  be  poftcd'  in^them  ;  \mt 
as  tliey  have,  received  no- garrifbnfr  ftnce  the-pacificatton  with  the 
Marons,  the  mod  part  of  thefe.  lands  have  been  given  np^to^the 
gentlemen  poiTefled  of  plantationsinear  them,  oh  condkionlof  keep* 
ing  thebuildings^  in  couHrant  good  nepair. 

I  (hall  clofe  this  account  of  the  white  inhabitants,  by  obferving 
Oi>  the  very  capital  errors  which  feeift  to  have  been  committed  by 
difFereut  w^riter»  ii>  rdfpe<^  of  their  number;;  fc^r  fomt  have  not 
fcrupled  to  aflert  that,  in  1750,  the  ifland  contained  6o,ooo  Whites*; 
and  that,  in  1740^  the  number  was  but  httlei  reduced^  It  is  impoffible 
to.  reQoncile  thefe  accounts  with  the  reprefentation  made  by^tKe 
bofSirdof  tradp  tQ:  the:  houfe  of  lordp.ip/ 1734,  when  7,644 .  wa$ 
ilated  as  the  whole  number  of  White*  at  that  time  upon  the  ifland. 
I  have  fupfjofed  the  Jrefeiit  ^number  (iiv  the  'prece.d4»g;^arts,:  of,  tlais. 

wojik^ 


BOOK    11.     CHAP.  :  XIII.  :^^ 

work)  about  1 7,000  exclufive,  of  tranfiehtSyfoldietSyaiid Teamen:  At 
the  very  loweft  I  could  not  deduft  more  thai4  rdOOr  from  this  culeu^ 
lation  ;  for  the  towns,  villages,  and  feamteeS'  ceittaidly  doiitain  attoge^ 
tber  not  lefsthan  9000  ;  and  7000  will  not  bethought  too  many  to 
allow  for  the  fugar  plantations,  penns,  and-  fmaller  fettlement^.  In 
1750,  a  gentleman  of  ability  141  the  ifland  made  the  computation, 
fhat  it  contained  10,000  planters,  merchants,  Shopkeepers,  hired, 
and  indentured  fervants,  and  artificers ;  or  upwardS'V  To  fuppofe 
therefore  an  advance  of  fix  tlioulandor  more,  (incethat  period,  con- 
lidering  the  vaft  multiplication  of  houfcs  and' fettleraents,  both  in  the 
towns  and  country  parts,  leems  not  at  all  extravagant.  The  account 
of  its  population  about  tl>e  time  of  the  great  earthquake  at  Port 
Royal,  a^  cited  by  Dr.  Browne,  and  put  at  17,507,  is  evidfently  er- 
roneous, having  been  copied  from  the  eftimatc  taken  when  Sir 
Thomas  Modifbrd  was- gorvernor,  atoourtheytar  1670;  which  con- 
founds the  Whites  with  the  Blacks,  and  cfafles  the  whole  unddr  the 
general  title  of  the  inhabitants!  A  more'accurate  lift  was  given,,  du- 
ring the  government  of  SnrTRomaa  Lynch,  in  1673,  ^vhich  I  have 
quoted  at  length,'  This*  rtfekes^  the  Whites.  8,564,.  and  the  whole 
number  X)f  inhabitants,  of  alt  complexions,  iS;cJ68.  We  find  by 
Sir  William  Beefton's  paper(in  the  firftbook,)  that 'in  16^64  the  num- 
ber of  regimented  Whites  was  no  rAore  than  about  3000  ;  which, 
being  fuppofed  one  half  of  the  whole,  niakes  6qoo,  befides  thofc 
employed  in  privateerings  which  niay  be  reckoned  about  800;: 
total  6,800. 

in  1670  they  muftered  for  (he  militia,  2,720 
And  on  board  privateers,         ^         2,500 

Allowing  two  fourths  of  that  number 

for  women  and  children,  or        — j-        2,'6&o 

The  whole^ftoek  of  Whites  amounted  to  7^"©;  or  only  764  lefi  than. 

m  the  year  1675,  which  gives  an  increafe  of  abotit  r^o  per  anniwu 

In  the  year    1678^  according  to    the  fame  accourit,  the  militiai 

muttered  4>546- 

Allowance  for  feamefi,  who  were- 
replaced  very  mu oh  in  ntimbet  in 
Qooiibque&cd  of  tfoer  American- 


3vS  J    A    M    A    I    C:  A.. 

treatjr;  and  betook  tbcmfclycs, 

fome  to  planting,  and  fo  incorr 

porated  with  the  land-men  ;  and  • 

fome  to  piracy  in  other  parts  of 

the  Weft -Indies,        —  5^^ 

5,Qz6 

Women  and  children         —       2>5^3 
and  the  whole  number  appears 

to  have  been  about        —  7,539;  by  fome,  computed  10,000. 

Several  dcfertions  happened  about  this  time  and  afterwards,  in  con* 
fequence  of  fpme  arbitrary  meafuresof  government;  which  doubt- 
lefs  reduced  the  nunU^er,  and  retarded  the  increafe  of  the  colony; 
the  number  which  left  the  ifland  was  computed  at  five  hundred  or 
upwards. 

About  the  year  1702,  the  Negroes  imported  were  843,  exported 
327;  fo  that  no  more  than  516  remained  to  fupply  all  the  planta- 
tions in  the  ifland.     Even  in   17^0,  their  confumption  amounted  to 
no  more  than  2,249;  and  in  1734,  to  2,904.  If  therefore  we  con- 
fider  the  demand  for  Negroes,  as  one  fure  teft  to  judge  of  the  in- 
creafii)g  population  of  a  Weft-India  colony,  which  it  manjfeftly  is; 
and  that  the  inhabitants'wepeall  this  while  kept  almoft  perpetually 
in  arms,  to  opppfe  the  Marons,  who  deftroyed  many  infant  fettle* 
ments,  and  hindered  others  from  being  formed;  I  do  not  think,  that 
the  number  of  Whites  can  be  fuppofed  to  have  rifen  at  any  time 
tnuch  above  8,  or  9,000,  until  the  pacification  with  thofe  difturbers. 
The  author  of  an   ingenious  tradt  (entitled   "Account  of  ^  the 
European  fettlements  in  America'*)  allots  25,000  Whites  to  Jamaica. 
If  he  had  meant  all  the  refident  Whites,  and  thofe  of  white  extrac- 
tion, he  would  not  probably  have  been  very  wide  of  the  true  ftate ; 
but,  if  his  eflimate  includes  none,  other  than  the  unmixed  Whites, 
I  judge  it  much  too  high  an  allowance,  and  the  rather,  as  he  has 
not  favoured  us  with  any  data^  or  grounds  whereby  we  might  exa- 
mine how  far  it  ifhould  be  relied  on. 

For  a  general  rule  of  loofe  calculation,  perhaps  allowing  nine 
Whites  to  everyone  hundred  Blacks,  will  come  neareft  toexa^nefs. 
To  take  one  example,  the  board  of  trade  reprefented  the  numb^ 
<o  be  79644  in  the  year  x  734.    In  that  year,  Ahe  number  of  Negroe 

flaves 


BOOK    n.      CHAR.  XHL  jr^ 

flaves  in  the  ifland  amounted  to  86^546.    Multiplying  therefore  865 

(the  number  of  hundreds)  by  9;  the  produft  is  JyJ^Sj  or  only 

141  difference. 

Agreeably  to  the  famerule^we  may  try  whatmaybe  fuppofed  thepre* 

fent  number,  allowing  the  flaves  to  be  at  this  time  increafed  to  170,000, 

and  they  probably  exceed »  becaufe  many  new  fugar  works  have  been 

formed  fince  the  year  1 768 ;  therefore,  1 700  > 

X  Ogives  1 5,300  Whites, or 

9j 

700  only  different  from  the  loweft  number  I  have  prefumed  them* 

It  would  be  more  agreeable  to  go  upon  fure  grounds ;  but  where 

information  is  defe£tive,  a$  in  this  cafe,  we  can  only  take  fome. 

fpeculative  line  for  our  guide;  and  this  appears  to  me  to  draw  as 

near  to  precifion,  as  may  be  reafbnably  expe^ed  \d\ . 

{i)  The  many  naudcal,  or  iea&riiig  terms  of  earpreffion,  in  u(c  here  among  the  planten  from^timc 
out  of  mmd^  were  probably  introdoced  by  die  firfb  Engltfli  fettlen ;  who^  for  fome  years,  alternately 
followed  ptirateering,  and  plantbg.    I  (hall  enumerate  a  few  of  them,  with  their  explanation  ;• 
QHik-roouu   Kitchen* 

LtiwattL    Every  place  fituated  to  th^  Weftward.  -'  -       « 
WituhkarJ.    The  contrary-^ 
Store^rpmn.    Warehoufe  for  goods* 
Stoakir.  The  Neg^  appointed  to  fluff  fuel. into  the  hdes  under  the  beilcrs.  Probably  fipcpi  the 

word^«tf/ir^  or  flopped  aa  a  fhipli  pump. 
Bcatfvxdn.  rftbe  miiL  The  Negroe  who  attends  the  miU^gang,  or  fiteders. 
T#  rtg  the  milL   To  get  it  ready  for  putting  about. 
MiU-tackling.    The  mule-traces,  &r. 
Sweifi*   The  arms  or  levers  belonging  to  the  main  roller. 
Sluds.  Pdes,'  or  levers  ufed  for  putting  caiks  into  a  boat  from  the  fliore. 
Stanchioiu.  Upright  pieces  of  dmber  in  the  curing-houle. 
^G4tHgway.   Interval  or  fpace  left  for  paffiige  through  the  midtUc  of  the  cttring*hou&». 

Ort.  Afcttee. 

AuMung*  *  e  •      ' 

Xread-ktmi.    Such  roots  and  fruits  of  the  country  as  arc  ufed  inftead  of  bread, 

Tajirk,  Tofsiltmcat,  and  finoak-dty  it. 

Birth.    An  office,  pUce,  or  employment 

Jtdi^.       >  I^iquon,  whofe  choicefl  ingredient  is  rum. 

jpB'ikvAJ  

HaadAemg.    Carry  or  bring  the  mug. 

BmniL  Inflead  of  cup.— As  **a  bowl  of  tea,"  of  chocoktc,  or  both ;  wlu«h  term  expreflet  tht 

large  moming-potatioiis  of  our  aiK:efk>rs  here. 
Cm*  It  the  b«catfcer  temi,  lafigpify  alLfortt  of  homed  cattle,  &r« 


ft, 

SECT    HI.  .       . 

FillSED  Bl-ACKS  tfflrf  JVJVLATTDSi 

t 

THBRE  «re.re  three  clafles  of  freed  perfons  here.  The  lowcSt 
comprehended  thofe  who  were  released  frpm  flave^y  by  thek. owner's 
iiaanumifliow,  either  by  ivill  or  an  iuftrument  fealed  and  deli- 
vered,  and  regiftered  either  in  the  toll-book  or  the  fecretary's  office. 
They  were  allowed  no6tlier  nnode  of  trial,  than  the  common  flaves, 
^(t*e.)  **  by  two  juftices  and  three  freeliolders  ;**  for  they  were  not 
fuppofed  to  have  acquired'  any  .fenfe  of  morality  by  the  mere  adt 
'of  manumiffion ;  fo  likewife  they  were  not  admitted  evidences 
againft  white  or  ether  free-born  perfons,  in  the  courts  of  juftice, 
jior  tp  vote  at  parochial  nor  gex^ral  ekdions* 

The  i^cood  clafs  confiiled  of  iiich  as  wete  free-borm  Theie  wcfe 
allowed  a  trial  by  jury,  and  might  give  evidence  hi  controverfies  at 
law  with  one  another,  and  in  ciuijaituii  caies ;  \mt  only  in  civil 
cafes  againft  white  perfons,  or  againft  freed -perfons,  particularly 
endowed  with  fuperior  privileges. 

The  third  contained  fuch  as,  by  private  aifs.  oS  aflembly,  became 
entitled  to  the  fame  rights  an4  privileges  with7«her  Englifh  fubjefts 
born  of  white  parents,  except  that  they  might  not  be  of  the  coun- 
cil nor  aflerribly  ;  nor  judges  m  any  of  the  ooatta,  iioc  in  the  pub* 
lie  offices,  nor  jurynnen.  Some  of  them  are  likewife  precluded  from 
voting  at  ei€ftiottfi,  of  aflembly'memhers.  There  are  not  any  con- 
iiderable  numbers  who  have  enjoyed  the  privileges  annexed  to- this 
latter  clafs ;  they  h^ve  chiefly  been  granted  to  liich,  who  .were  in- 
heritors of  large  eftates  in  the  ifland,  bequcajthed  to  tlwm  by  their, 
white  ancedor. 

The  freedom  of  the  two  former  clafles  was  much  enlarged  in 
i748,Avhen  a  law  pafled,  allowing  the  manumitted,  as  wdl  as 
fr^e-bor^ij  tQ  §ive  evidence  againft  any  free^-perfons  enjoying  the 
liberty  of  white  fubjefts,  provides!,  in  xg^Qc.  to  the  manumitted, 
they  have  received  their  fpeedom  fix  mc^thft  ae  ifeaft  ^«»eedfetit  to 
the  time  of  their  ofieriug  fuch  evidence ;  and  if  they  (hould  be 

7  convi^led 


BOOK  IL    CHAP.  XIH.  j« 

comriiEfaed  of  icHrilful  ^md  corrupt  peijurjr,  they  are  made  liable  lo  tile 
f^nod*  puniflifflent^  as  the  laWs  of  Englaad  mflidfc  ou  thk  offi^ncc. 

Thiis  it  a|)peafSy  that  the/  hold  a  limited  freedom^  firtiilar  to 
that  of  the  Jews ;  and  it  has  been  often  iuggefled  by  very  ^lifible 
men*  that  it  is  too  drcumfcrtbed*  more  efpecially  in  reference  to 
tfaofe  who  hafre  large  patrimonies  kk  the  ifland  ;  who,  without  any 
probable  ill  caniequencei  Tiiight  be  permitted  to  have  a  vote  iii  tHe 
veftry,  and  at  the  ek£kion  of  Inembfers  to  ferve  in  the  aflemhljr ;  to 
wiJte  as  clerks  in  feme  of  the  offices  {  and  hoid  inilitat|r  boist^ 
miffiotis  ia  the  Black  and  Malatto  companies  of  miliitia,}  wjitch 
priTilega  I  will  not  dilputec  hot,  for  many  xe^ibn^j  it  were  better 
to  confer  them  on  particular  or  £ele£t  perfims,  t^f  good  edmratbh 
and  morality^  than  to  extend  them  by  a  general  law  to  many,  ifkrho^ 
it  muft  be  confeiied,  are  not  iitly  qualified  for  this  enkigemcttt. 

The  defcendants  of  the  Negroe  blood ,  entitled  to  all  the  rig^ta 
and  liberties  of  white  fobjeds,  in  the  fall  cxteiit^  are  fuch,  wh6 
are  above  three  fteps  removed  in  the  lineal  digreflion  from  theN^roe 
wnter  e«cltiih^e ;  ^hat  is  to  ^fay^  real  fumtemsy  for  all  belovkr  this 
degree  are  reputed  by  law  MulatiK. 

The  law  requires  likewife,  in  all  thefe  cafes,  die  ikrnamentof 
baptifm,  before  they  can  be  admitted  to  theie  privileges.  Some  fow 
other  rdftriftions  are  laid  on  the  firii  and  &cond  clafs*  No  dtie  of 
themf  except  he  poiTeiTes  a  fettlement  with  ten  (hves  upon  it^  may 
keep  atiy  horles«  mares,  mules,  aiSes,  or  neat  cattle,  on  penalty  of 
forfeiture.  This  was  calculated  to  pttt  a  ftop  to  the  practice  of 
flaugh<ei^if»g  4fhe  ^Id  breed  oti  cothmoos,  and  putcmg  then-  own 
maAs  upon  the  young. 

But  two  juflices  may  licenie  any  fuch  fifeed^pedm  to  keep  &ch 
iftock,  during  good  behaviour. 

They  who  have  not  a  fettlem^t,^  ai  )uft  ftmiricned,  fnuftfoiniih 
tbemielves  with  certificates  of  their  freodoin^  ttnder  the  hand  and 
f^lof  ajuftic^,  and  wear  a  blueeroB  «n  th«  right  ftckuld^r,  oti 
pain  of  iniprifermiettt. 

•    IfcbnviflJetf  of  conceaflng,-  enticing,  eiUertainittg)  or  fending  o^ 
the  iffiindi  any  fugitive,  reibeffiou*,  er  ot?her  flate^f  Ibey  a^e  to  for* 
ieit-ftidiViVeedom,  be  fblJ,ind  bariifhed. 
Vox.  IL  T  t  Thcfe 


32z:  J  AM   A'  I  'C  :a:      ' 

'  Thefe  are  the  principal  ordinances  of  the  laws  aiFei9iiig  thecom- 
mon  freed -perfons  ;  whence  the  policy  of  the  cDuntfj  maybe  eafily 
nueafiired.  The  reftraints,  fo  far  as  th^y  are  laid  upon  theloweft 
or-der  juft  emerged  from  fervitude,  and  who  have  no  property  of; 
any  confequence,  fcem  very  juftifiable  and  proper;  bat  in  tefpcStto 
the  few  who  have  received  a  moral  and  Ghriflian  education,  and* 
who  inherit  fortunes  coniiderable  enough  to  make  them  independ- 
ant,  they  may  be  thought  capable  of  fome  relaxation,  without  any 
prejudice  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  colony ;  for  it  defci-ves  (erious 
reflection,  that  moft  of  the  fuperior  order  (for  thefe  reaibns)  pte- 
jfer  living  in  England^  where  they  are  refpeded,  at  leaH  for  their 
fortunes;  and  know  that  their  children  can. enjoy  vf  rights  aU thofe 
privileges,  which  in  Jamaica  are  withheld  from  their  pofleffiont 

The  ilaves  that  mod  commonly  gain  a  manumifliou  here  from 
their  owners,  are 

I .  Domefticks,  in  reward  for  a.  long  and  faithful  courfe  of 
fervice. 

c^2,  Thofe,  who  have  been  permitted  to  work  :  for .  themfelves^ 
only  paying  a  certain  weekly  or  monthly  fum  ;  many  of  them  find 
means  to  fave  fufficient  from  their  earnings,  to  purchafe  their 
freedom. 

3.  Thofe  who  have  effedled  fome  effentigl  fervice  to  the  public, 
fuch  as  revealing  a  confpiracy,  or  fighting  valiantly  againft  riebcls 
and  invaders.  They  have  likewife  generally  been  j-equited  with  an 
annuity,  from  the  publick  treafury,  for  life* 

:  Some  regulation  feems  expedient,  toi  give  thefirft  meotiooed  the 
means  of  acquiring  their  freedom,  without  the  temptation  of  con- 
verting it  into  licentidufnefs» 

In  Antigua,  every  white  perfon  who  beftows  this  boon  upon 
his  ilave,  accompanies  k  with  fo;ne.  further  grants  enabling  him  to 
enjoy  his  new  ftation  with  advantage  to  himfelf  and  the  comnaunity* 
The  law  there  compels  all  thefe  freed-men,  who  have  not  lands  I 

wherewith  to  form  a  fettlement,  to  enter  themfelves  into  the  ier- 
vice  of  fome.  family.  In  Jamaica^,  where  land  is  a  cheap  com- 
modity^ this  is  not  the  cafe.  The  N^roe  receives  his  manumiffioa, 
but  not  always  a  provifion  for  his.  future  fubfiftence  ;  this  defbdt 
.therefore  impels  many  of  them  to  thefts  and  other  illegal  pradiqes^ 

for 


BO.O.K;H{    ©HiAP,    XIII.  3^3 

fi>r.a!j3QtiUBateiti»tWte;  A;  litey.Of.thfis  ,  fpecies  ia  bftueful  tp-fp* 
ciety  ;  andil'feemato:  be;th€:prQperohjedt.  of  legiflature,  ;to  makj^ 
thefc  a£ls  of  private  bounty  fub(«vienttQ>  iaftead  ,.of  le^ing  .  tbem^ 
fubvcp&ve  o^  the.  publick  good.    ;      i    .       , 

From- five  .to  tojl  acr^s  of  ground  jnightyery  well  be  fpfired  upoa 
aay  planter's  eiftate.,  Fiye'^cres  of  good  fpil  are  abundantly  fuifici-) 
eBtfefffOne.fuch  freed- I^egroe.  It  may  be  faid,  thatfuch  a  condU. 
tion,  tacked  to  thefe  grants,  .would  hinder  men  from  rewarding  their, 
^thfol  flave$  with  liberty  ;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  in  apublick, 
view,  it  is  better  that;  thi^  Negroe  ihould  coutinuean  honeft  and  in-»j 
dniirioAifl  flayc,  than  to  be  turned  into  an  idle  an»d  prpflig^te  free-. 
man;  All  however  that  is  here  meant  is,  that,  in  imitation  of  the. 
Antigua  law,  all  thofe  freed-men,  who  have  neither  lands  to  culti-v 
v^te,  nor  trade  to.  fpUow,  ihould  be  obliged  to  enrol  themfelves 
in  fome  white  family,  as  domefticks ;  a  lift  fliould  annually.be  taken,/ 
»id  fegiftered^  pf  all  the  claflfes,  and  their  .occupations   annexed  to 

tfaeir;names.    .      .      ;   :  ,  : 

J  come  now; to  fpeak  of  the  Mulattoes  and  other  cafts,  who  (ia- 
cbnunon  parlance)  all  pafs  under  that  appellation.     Upqn  enquiry  of 
the  affembly,  in  the  year  1762,  into  the  devifes  made  by Jaft  wills  to^ 
MulaiCto  childreii!,  the  amount  in  reality  and  perfonalty  was  found  in  j 
value  between  two  and  thf ee  hundred  thoufand  pound,  T^^  included , 
four  fugar  eftat^s,,  feven  penns,  thirteen  houfcs,  befides  other  lari^ls  un-  j 
fpdcified.  After  duly  weighing  the  ill  confequence^  that  naight  befall ; 
tl*e. colony,  byfuffering  real  eftates  to  pafs  into  fuch  hands,  a  bill 
was  pafled,  **  to  prevent  the  inconveniencitfs  aHfing  from  exorbi-', 
•V  tant  grants.and  djBvifes  m^de  by  whit-e  perfpns  to  Negroes  4ind . the  * 
«V  jflUeof  Negroes,  and  to  reftrain.anjl limit  jfuch  grants  ahd.  devi- 
«f;ies;'*  this  bill  cnaSed,  that  a  deviie  flora  a  white  pcrfon,' to  a^ 
Negroe  pr  Mulatto,  of.  real  and  perfpnal  eftate,  exceeding  in  value'. 
:iooq/.  currency,  fhould  be  void*     It  has  been  objeded  by  many,  ^ 
and  with  great  warmth,   to  ttiis  la^f  }'  that  it.  is  opprefliye  in  it's  "^ 
^^^fl^&s   tendingio  depr^ye  rjieh  of'  tlieir  right  to  difpofe' of  their  ^ 
*^ own •  effe£ls  and  acquifitions,  nrtlie  manner  moft  agreeable  to; 
^\  their/inqiination3*%y.-It.may  not  be  .improper,  therefore,  to  exa- 
xnine  a  littie  into  the  fair  ft  ate  qf  the  queftion.    ,That  it'is  repug- * 
nanttothefpirit  of  theEnglifli  laws,  is  readily  granted,  and  fois 

Ttz  -  Nfgro^ 


iH  J    A    M    A    I    C    A* 

^riflf  Ikev  la  th«iNior  net  a^  kfeal  fffmffivf  fw  ki]fk^  mmf  mS^mtlB^ 
m  this  i^otMy,  wheve^^  ila«tt4l»idin^  is  kgdljriAa^ 
reflraints  do  not  exift,  nor  are  po^ieqJily  Mpqiiwt,  m  FifliwtiL 
wfiivt^  fla^ry^is^ct  ttolierated?'  It  fs^a^ftiA  prksai)>l«^  and  ttotto  be 
convravected',  m  polkiealand'mil  as^  wel^as  in  ODtrai  gcKmwoeipii^ 
that  if  one peffon^ deesitfrrf  aft^  which •  i# «9«ry  ocher  w  euointaigr 
others. of  the  fknie  feeieff  were  ttvdo,  muftber  aet<»dbd  wiilk  iojmi* 
cm^  confequenees  to  that  fociety*,  fiich  aii  a^  canDWC  ki  iBe  Battue: 
()f  things'  be  l^al  nor  warrantable.  Ml  fdcie^M  est  inet^  wbOTe»>. 
ever  cohiiitutedy  csm  ftibfrfl:  together  only  by  cartakv  ab)kgatidB8> 
an(f  reftri\£liofls,  to  wfifth  all  tftc  incfividual  members^  t&oSt  neoA 
farify  yield  obedience  for  the  genendf  good  ;  w^aj^  caii;  ban  n0^ 
juft  chim  to  ttiofe  rights^  and  that  pretedion,  which  af»  heidiby,  s^I^ 
under  thrs  common  fenfftoti* 

In  countries  where  rational  iVeedom  i^  moft  enjoyed^  as:  in  En^^i 
land*  the  laws  have  affixed  certain  bounds  to  mens  oaffions  aad: 
incliiiadbns;  mntnnberlefs  examples ;  ib  a  fuccdfion- to  eftacea^chare 
is  reg^iiatbd  more  according  to  the  rules  of  policy,  ami  the  good 
of  the  coimminhy,  th^an  tO'  the*  fitw  of  nature^,  fimpty  Cimfidbnd^ 
therefore,  alttioogh  a  mait  may  be^defirou^,  nay  thinks  he  has  a  na^ 
turat  right,  rp  determine  who  iha&  enjoy  that  property  fwi»  time 
tp  time  qfter  his  deattf,  which  he  acquired  by  his^  i^uftir^  while 
Hying,  the  law*  of  England,  abftorrmg^  perpetuities  a^  hurtful*  to  the 
fociety,  defeat^  thrs  purpofe,  ahd  teadiiy  gtvct>  it's  a^ffiftance  to  bav 
fuch' entails* 

The  right  of  making  deyiles  by^  wiH  was  eftabliAed  ia  fome 
countries  much,  later  thafi  in  Qthers.  In  England,  till  modenr ' 
times,  a  man  could  only  difpofe  of  one  third  of  his  moveables  Irom 
his  wife  and  legitimate  children  $  ai>d,  in  general,  no  will  was  per* 
mitted  of  lands  till  the  reign  of  Henry  the  firghth,  and  then  oni^  a. 
certain  portion ;  for  it  was  not  till  aftrer  the  Reftoration,  that  the 
power  of  deviiing  real  property  became  (b  univerfel  as  at  prefent. 
The  antient  law  of  the  Athenians  diredled  that  the  ftatc  of  the  de- 
ceafed  (hould  always  deftrend  to  hia  legitimate  children  ;  or,  on  fai* 
lure  of  fuch  lineal  deicendants,  ihould  go  to  the  collateral  relations. 
In  inaqy  other  parts  of  Greece  they  were  totally^  difcountenanced. 

3  B^ 


B  O  O  ICIL   CH  A  P.  XHL  p^ 

Im  Bmiic  thsf  were  vtokxMsn,  tSR  die  laws  of  thtsr  twolv«  ts^et 
vmtc  compiled,  wfeieb  iwfi:  gave  die  right  of  be^eathmg ;:  acnd 
abKnq^t&e  KvtttSlietitiiadi^  p6u;ttci]rarly  tke  Oermaiis,^  teftaoKaki^ 
wttmoot  MtxtKi^kaa  ufe;  By  the  consaiofl  law  <sf  Etij^s^sPd^  fiti<n9 
thecMM:|tfeft;n0<»fkatet^i^€^ey  than  fbr  tei^m^of  years,  <%ii  be  diA' 
po&d  ii£  by  cfcftsnffitetilr  ttfffft  Mfy  itv  Ketw  du«t  4«  fomtf  anek^nP 
burghs^  aimdlr  afcN^  parttculap  mdfio^  wt)€tr<r  th^irSacsiM  kinbi>tiiVf€i$i 
byipmicoA^T  kidwlgeiice  fubfifi^d  Aud^dWgh  the  fei5dal  i^eftr^nt 
o&  aiittiKicioiYS^  by  de«t  vaMilhed  ^ery  ea^Iy^  yet  this  tiis  wilk  c<)a^ 
tHraed  fair ibme  cetHUrle^  afteif,  fVuMtt  aiti  tfpffretieiiilei)  ef  inJipiiitty 
attd  hli^^aiimv  «»  die  teftifttfr^  whi^b  uiads^  ^ck  dbvi^^ 

(piifitw  to^fiMfee  at  wiif  ddtnpleaHlly  valid;  and^hia  v^rie^  isiay  fypiFt^^ 
tiftvixKa,  that  the  right  <^  makmg  wiOs  and  di%e(iHg  of  property 
a&wdeadii  U^  merely  a  creature  of  tfhe  civif  or  mimiaipel  fai^,  whitfc 
hin«^  pennitosd  it^  in  fefAo  cou4itfier$^  and-  d*ei%ied^  it  m  others ;  ah^ 
cfHM  #httre  it  i«  perraitted  by  law,  k  is  ftibjtf£ted^  fa  different  re- 
ikvfiionsy  it%^  aknoft  every  natiea  under  Heaven.     In  Englimd^  pai*- 
tttmlax^ly,  thitfdiverlity  is  carried  to  fuch  a  leiagjfh^  a^  if  it  had  beert 
iMeantIM  pottle  out  th^e  power  of  the  Tawd  m  regu>a«ir>g'th6  fbcceflie^^ 
t^  pr4^rty ;  and  how  Ibtiile  evi^ry  claim  muA  be^  tfeaC^  im&  ndc  if s 
f<Mfidarioi(t^  10^  the  pdfieive  rutes^  ©f  the  ftate  [#»].  -in-  fh^  ISrae  Riijg- 
doon,  the  iaftwupion-of  marriage  ie  i^egarded  as^O^Ye^  of  eho  mdin^iKnks- 
of  fecieey,  becaufeit  is^fourtdftabe  the  beft  fiipport  of  ii*.'    A't)i>o*-' 
nsifcuoiis  inferQOisrfe  and  att  uncertaitt  pareiitage,  if  they  T(?«pe  uni- 
veffbl,  would  foon  diffotvc  tlVc  frame  of  the  conOitutionV  fi^nl  the 
iDAoity  o^clttitxOi  aod^oritefted  pigh*frof  fucceffioh  :•  for  this  reifon, 
tHe  beget^g  att'  i)Ij$gitimat^child  is  reputed 'a^ violation  of  the  t^M^ 
compa£)ssy  ^  and  die  tratifgreffex^  are  punifliable  wltH  cotpor&l  cor- ' 
reftiod  [  /]i     T?he  civil  codes  were  fa  rigorows^  that  they  even  made 
baftardfe  incapable,  ih  fome  cafes,  of  a  gift  from'  their  parents.  The. 
di^teftattoa  in  which  they  have  bieen  held  by  the  Englilh  laws  is 
vevy appaieiits  and'  maybe  inferreti'  from  the  fpirit-bf their ievera! 
ina»ims :  as;  ^  JSmes  legksnim  eff  qttctn  wjJ/wir  deteonfflratt^  *^*[^]-*' 


f^]  Blackftdne; 

[/]  iSEliz.  rjac.  I.. 

^] ,  A  ieg^tiixate  chitd  is  he  that  it  liom  after  Wedlock. . 

^^  Ciii 


I  • 


it6  .\j:;:asmpa)  inc^a/)r[ 

*i^Cur  pater  ^populut^  noii  habet  iatepaticiA:§i]V^-^Oui!ex'>ii^^ 
^  coitu  tiafcuntur,    inter'  liberosi  non .  cbmputentur-V'     So  they^icw 
likejvifeftyled  ^'JiliJ nullius\iy  becaufe  their  real  fothcr/is  fuppofcA: 
tjo^J^a  qAcertaib;  \or  unknowo.:   The  lenity  howev.eir  of  the  En^fe/ 
in«r  rifnrftfenr.  IS  fatisficd  onlv  wkhiexcluiiins:.  tfajem  frtimwioheifirf: 


-I 


i 


tance,  and  with  ex^dlin^'  a  icoitipeiteiit  :pfoyifiqn:  Aw:/ tbeir '  mailiite 
iiance,  that  they  way  pot  bt^omeghargQahlc;^! pop '*be|>Ub^^ 

The  inftitution  of  majrUgej  is  doubtlefspfas  much  concern  in  the: 
colony,  ajs  it  is  in  the. mother  country :  .perhaps  liiore  fb;  becaufe  a.i 
life  of  Gfjibacy  is  not  equally  hyrtful  ,i4i;tbe  ..Uttpr, .  who.  may  draw  i 
ripp;uitfst6  keep  up  be/  populatiQlV'fwnftJth^^pfighb9^r«lg:ifta^^ 
EufOpe.  But  the  civil  policy  of  the  two.  couft^iesij  in  i^f^tci^iJEi^  iiic^:  i 
oeffidns  topropertyj  differ  very  materially;  fothaty  if  tllrce^ fourths bfi> 
the  nation  were  flaves,  there  can  be  uo.qHeftipn  but  that  the  law*; 
of  laft  vvills  would  .be  modified  to  a  different  frame,  perhaps  card^.% 
back  again  to  the  antient  feodal  do(5trine  of  non-.ali?nqtiori,i5»^j«htmti 
CDnfent;Of  the  lord;  which  reftraint  was  fuitedttp  the  policy  fif^hfiS^  > 
times,;  when  villeinage  prevailed.  A  mat>'?  right,  of  devifing  hi«i 
property  by  will  ought  juftly,  therefore,  from  the  conftitutiOq!,o£j 
our  Weft  India  colonies,-  to  be  more  circumfcribed  in  them,  than  n . 
fitting  in  the  mother  ftate.  A  fubjedj:  (fpr  example)  in  Jamaica  i 
ought  not  to  bequeath  his  whole. perfonal  ^ftate  which  miay  bje  very.: 
oonfiderable,  to  a  flavp ;  and,  if  he  (Ijiould  do  foi  it;  is  eafy'to  qonceiveii 
that  it  would  be  utterly  repugns^it  to  the  civil  policy  of  tl^at  iBand.  > 
The  Jamaica  law  permits  the  putative  father  to  leave,,  what  will  be  . 
though t,  a  jiJcry  ample  provifiony  in  order  to  fet  hi^s  baftardtfbrwai'd  in  / 
the  world;  and  in  all  cafe$  where  the  father,  havipg  no:  jegilimate  : 
kin  to.i??hoiiihema)r;bp'wilIipg  to  give  l>is,  property*  ;wjbfii5e  ttiat; 
propprry  is  lacge^  and.his*  illegitimate  child  may  kit%  :by>  tl?^  ppltife  i 
of  a  good, educa^ioni:aivi  jDaoral principles,  foujid  wqll  4f  farting  ftt: 
poffefs  it  J  there  can  be  noqueftion,  but  he  might  be  made  legitimate  . 
axid  capable  of  inheritingi  by  the  power  of  ait  aft;  of  aflembly ;. . 
fmce  the  fame  tl^i^ig  lia?  b?en  done  in  fimilar  cafes  ip;  J&p^jUmlf v 
by  aft  of  the  parliament.,  ,itis,plain^  therefore, .  tfe?  poligy-^.itjb.i 

[A]  The  offspring  of  promifciious  coujun£Hons  has    no    father.    Marriage^^fi^ertaii^itHe 
Til  Baftaitb  ait  not  cndoi^'ed  with  the  privilege  of  chiUreiw    No  man's  chiktreu... 

law 


B  OiO  YCj  IL     C  H  a  F.     XIII.  327 

}gw;ionly  ft2iiida,'lfa/'.obviate  the  detriment  refultiiig  to  the  fociety, 
from  foolifl),  aad    indifcriminate  devifes ;   leaving  in  the  brreaft  of 
the  legiflabwe  to  ratify  others    particularly     circumilanced,     and 
wbieh.imig^t^^otbe  fo  likely  to  .produce  the  £ime  inconveniences. 
lt;is.?i  qtieftiiCHitteafilyfanCwered,  whether  (TuppofiDg  ail  natural  im- 
pediments tof  climate  out  of  the  way)  it  would  be^more  for  the  in- 
tefefl  of ^B^itatn,  tliat  Jamaica'ftiwld  be  poffefled'and  peopled  by 
white  inhabitants,  or  by  Negroes  and  Mulattos? — Let  any  maa 
turn  his  eyes  to  the  Spanifli  American  dominions,  and  behold  what 
a  vicious,'  brujtali  and  dege^r^ate  breed  of  mongrels  has  been  there 
.produced^;  bfet ween  Spaoivds^BiacfcSi  Indians,  and  their  mixed  pro- 
geny.^ aiid- he  rouft  h6  of  opinion,   that  1%  might  be  much  be  better 
forBritiio,  aud  Jamtiica  too,  ifthe  whitdmen  in  that  colony. would 
abate  of  their  infatuated  attachments  to  black  wonien,  and,  inftead 
pf  being: ''  graced  with  2i  yellow  offspring  not  their  own  \k'\  ,'*  perform 
thi5  duty  incumbent  oh  tsftty  good  cittizen,  by  railing  in  honourable 
wedlock:  a  race  of  unadulterated  beings.  The  trite  pretence  of  moft 
men  here,  formot  entering  into-  that  ftate,  is.  <«  the  heavy  and  in* 
"tolerable  expehces  it  will  bring  upon  them/*      This,  in  plain 
Englilh,  is  nothing  more  than  expreffing  their  opinion,  that  fociety 
(hall  do  every  thing  for  them,  and  that  they  ought  to  do  nothing 
fpr.fofciety;  and.  the rfolly;  of  thfe! means. they. purlbe,  tp  attain  this 
felfi(h^  uograteful  purpofe,  rij  well  expofed;   by  the  profufion  and 
^Cnifery.  into,  which., their   difoflderly   conniixions  often  infenfibly 
.plunge  thc-m.'  Can  wb  podiWy  admit  any  force  in  their  excufe, 
when  we  obferve  them  ]|avi(hing  their  fortune  with  unbounded  libe^ 
.  rality  \x^\x  a  commou  p^roftitute  ?  wbw  we  fee  one  of  thefe  yota- 
ties  of  cdit^aty  grow  the  ,abj^A.   paflWe  flave  to, all  her  infiihs,. 
thefts,  atid  iiilideUties,;  apd.^iiperfe  biis  eftate  between  her  and  her 
brats,   whom  he  bJ45dlyr'i»ck.nQv«le4g«s  fof  his  (children,  when  in 
truth  they  are  entided  to  clairia  t\*enty  other  fathers  ^  It  is  true,  the^ 
,iffueof  a '  marriage  may  fometimes  lie  under  fulpicion,  through. 
'  the  Ipofe  carriage  of  ^  the  mother ;  b\it  on  which,  fide  does  thfe  weight 
of  probability  reft, :  on  thwe  virtue  i©fj!4.wiie,;of  tfte  continence  of  i  a 
/proilitutei  ...  .  :.      •::!  .    ...  t.  ;.  ^     .  *  .  ? 


^•n 


328  '   J   A  m:  a  I  c  a. 

Vory  mdigent  men  may  indeed,  with  more  colottf  of  propriety, 
urge  fuch  an  argument  in  their  defence ;  but  the  «wner  ^  t  l^i^e 
fortune  poiiedles  what  is  a  vifible  deoionft ration,  t0  prove  the 
fallacy  of  his  pretence.  Stich  a  man  is  doubtlefs  as  able  to  maintaih 
a  wife,  as  a  mif^refs  of  all  the  vices  reigning  here ;  nooe  are  ib  fla* 
grant  as  tius  of  concubinage  with  white  women,  or  cohabiting  with 
Negrefies  ^nd  Mulattas,  free  or  flaves.  In  coniequence  of  this 
pradice  we  have  not  only  in&ce  fpiafiers  in  comparifon  to  the  num- 
ber of  women  among  the  natives  (whole  brothers  or  male  relations 
poflefs  the  greateft  part  of  their  father^s  patrtmooy)  in  this  finall 
community,  than  in  .moft  other  pacts  of  his  majefty's  donUnions, 
proporttonably  inhabited ;  bur  alio,  a  vaft  addition  of  fpurious 
offsprings  of  different  complexions  :  in  a  place  where,  by  cuftom,  (b 
jiittle  reftraint  is  laid  on  the  paflions,  the  Europeans,  who  at  home 
have  always  been  ufed  to  greater  purity  and  ftridnefs  of  manners, 
are  too  eafily  led  afide  to  give  a  loofe  to  every  kind  of  ienfiial  delight : 
on  this  account  fbme  black  or  yellow  qtu^iba  is  fought  for,  by  whom 
a  tawoey  breed  is  produced.  Many  are  the  men,  of  every  rank, 
quality,  and  degree  here,  who  would  mnch  rather  riot  in  thele 
goatiOi  embraces,  than  fhare  the  pure  and  lawful  Uifs  derived  from 
matrimoiiial,  mutual  love.  Modefty,  in  this  reipeft,  has  but  very 
little  footing  here.  He  who  ihould  preiiime  tofliew  any  di^eafure 
agaii>ft  iuch  a  thing  as  iimple  fornication,  would  fi>r  his  pttins  be  ac* 
counted  ^  fimplc  blookbeo^ ;  (ince  not  one  id  twenty  can  be  perfuaded, 
fJi=^  there  is  either  fin ;  or  (hame  in  coli^biting  with  his  flav^» 
Of  the£b  men,  by  far  the  greateft  part  never  marry  after  (hey  have 
.^Keqwired  a  ibrtune;  but  u(her  into  the  world  a  tarniO>e4  train  <if 
Mw^&^  amoi^  whmBr  air  their  decea(e,  they  generally  divide  their 
ii^0:<a9ccu  .fa  is  not  a  Hctle  c\|riou$,  Co  coniider  the  Grange 
xnAener  in  which  fome  of  them  » e  educated>  inftead  of  belong 
'  fought  any  mtckanic  arty  whereby  they  might  b^csme  nfeful  to  the 
^ftodv  ^4  cnahfed  ta  fuppoit  themfeives  3  young  Fujtus^  m  whom 
.<h^  father  fondly  imagines  he  fees  th^  reflefted  dawn  of  paternal 
gepiu9,  and  Mifs  Fuhfay  who  ma^mma  proteftsh^a  moft  delicate 
ear  for  mufic  and  French,  are  both  of  them  fent  early  to  Enghtnd, 
to  cultivate  and  improve  the  valuable  taletjts  which  nature  is  fuppofed 
to  have  fo  wantonly  bellowed,  and  the  parents,  blind  with  folly, 

think 


BOOK    II.     CHAP.     Xm.  329 

think  they  have  difcovered.  To  accompli(h  this  end,  no  expence 
nor  pahis  are  fpared;  the  hidulgent  father^  big  with  expectation 
of  the  future  eclat  of  his  hopeful  progeny, 

**  difdains 
'*  The  vulgar  tutor,  and  the  ruftic  fchool, 
<*  To  which  the  dull  cit*  fends  his  low-born  fool. 
<*  By  our  wife  fire  to  London  are  they  brought, 
"  To  learn  thofe  arts  that  high*bred  youths  are  taught ; 
^  Attended,  dreft,  and  trainM,  with  coft  and  care, 
««  Juft  like  fome  wealthy  duke's  apparent-heir.'* 
'     Mafter  is  fent  to  Weft  minder,  or  Eaton,  to  be  mftruded  in  the 
elements  of  learning,  among  ftudents  of  the  firft  rank  that  wealth 
and  family  can  give :  whilft  Mifs  is  placed  at  Chelfea,  or  fome  other 
famed   feminary;  where  (he  learns   mufic,  dancing,  French^  and 
the  whole  circle  of  female  bon  ton^  proper  for  the  accompli(hment 
of  fine  women.     After  much  time  and  money  beftowed  on  their 
education,  and  great  encomiums,  year  after  year^  tranftnitted  (by 
thofe  whoie  intereft  it  is  to  make  them)  on  their  wery  uncommon 
genius  and  proficiency,   at  length  they  return  to  vifit  their  rela* 
tions.      From   this  period,  much  of  their  future  mifery  may  be 
dated.     Mifs  faints  at  the  fight  of  her  relations,  efpecially  when 
papa  tells  her  that  black  ^ajheba  is  her  own  mother.     The  young 
gentleman  too,  after  his  introdudion,  begins  to  difcover  that  the 
knowledge  he  has  gained  has  only  contributed  to  make  him  more 
fufceptible  of  keen  reflections,  arifing  from  his  unfortunate  birth. 
He  is  fbon,  parhaps,  left  to  herd   among  his  black  kindred,  and 
converfc  with  ^ajljee  and   Mingo^    inftead  of  his  fchool-fellows. 
Sir  George^  or  My  Lord  i  while  mademoifelle,    inftead  of  modifli 
French,   muft  learn   to  prattle  gibberiih  with  her  coufins  Mimba 
and  Cbloe:  for,  however  well  this  yellow  brood  may  be  received  in 
England,    yet  here  (b  great  is  the  diftin£Uon  kept  up  between 
white  and  mixed  complexions,  that  very  feldom  are  they  feen  to- 
gether in  a  familiar  way,  though  every  advantage  of  drefs  or  for* 
tune  (hould  centre  with  the  latter.     Under  this  diftin&ion,  it  id 
impoflible  but  that  a  well-educated  Mulatta  muft   lead  a  very  un* 
pleafant  kind   of  a  life  here;  and  juftly  may  apply  to  her   reputed 
father  what  Iphicrates  faid  of  his,  "  After  all  your  pains,  you  have 
Vol.  11.     .  Uu  « njadc 


^330  J    A    M    A    I    C    A^ 

<*  made  me  no  better  than  a  flave ;  on  the  other  hand,  my  mother 
'*«  did  everything  in  her  power  to  render  me  free/*  On  firft  arriving 
here,  a  civilized  European  may  be  apt  to  thiiik  it  impudent  and 
(hameful,  that  even  bachelors  (hould  publickly  avow  their  keeping 
Negroe  or  Mulatto  miftrefles ;  but  they  are  ftill  more  (hocked  at 
feeing  a  group  of  white  legitimate,  and  Mulatto  iilegitimate, 
children,  all  claimed  by  the  fame  married  father,  and  all  bred  up 
togetlier  under  the  fame  roof  [/;/].  Habit,  however,  and  the  pre- 
vailing fafhion,  reconcile  fuch  fceaes,  and  leffen  the  abhorrence 
excited  by  their  firft  impreffion. 

To  aUure  men  from  thefc  illicit  connexions,  we  ought  to  re- 
move  the  principal  obftacles  which  deter  them   from  marriage* 
This  will  be  chiefly  effefted  by  rendering   women  of  their  own 
complexion  more  agreeable  companions,   more  frugal,  trufty,  and 
•faithful  friends,  than  can  be  met  with  among   the  African  ladies. 
Of  fome  probable  meafures  to  efFe£l  this  defireable  purpofe,    and 
'make  the  fair  natives  of  this  illand  more  amiable  in  the  eyes  of  the 
«men,  and  more  eligible  partners  in  the  nuptial  ftate,  I  have  already- 
ventured   my   fentiments.     A   proper  education  is   the   firft  great 
•point.     A   modeft  demeanour,    a  mind   diverted  of  falle  pride,  a 
very  moderate  zeal  for  expenfive  pleafures,*  a  Ikill  in  oeconomj^ 
and  a  conduft  which  indicates  plain  tokens  of  good   humour,  fide- 
lity, and   difcretion,    can  never  fail  of  making  converts.     Mucli, 
indeed,  depends  on  the   ladies  themfelves  to  refcue  this  truly  ho- 
nourable union  from  that  faftiionable  deteftatjon  in  which  it  feemjs 

• 

[/»]  Reafon  requires,  that  the  mailer's  power  (hould  not  extend  to  what  does  not  appertain  to 
his  fervice.  Slavery  ihould  be  calculated  for  utility,  not  for  pleafure.  The  laws  of  challity  aVife 
from  thofe  of  nature,  and  ought  in  all  nations  to  be  refpecied.  1(  a  law,  which  preferves  the 
'chafUty  of  flaves^  be  good  in  thofe  flates  where  an  aTbitrary  power  bears  down  all  before  it,  how 
xnuch  iT)ore  fo  will  it  be  in  monarchies  !  and  how  much  more  Hill  in  republics !  The  law  of  the 
Lombards  has  a  regulation  which  ought  to  be  adopted  by  all  governments.  "  If  a  mailer  debauches 
^  his  flave's  wife,  the  Have  and  his  wife  (hall  be  free  ;"  an  admirable  expedient,  whichy  without 
ricrerity,  lays  a  powerful  reHraint  on  the  incontinency  of  mailers.  The  Romans  erred  on  this 
head ;  they  allowed  an  unlimited  fcope  to  the  mailer's  lull ;  and,  in  fome  meafure,  denied  their 
Haves  the  privilege' of  marrying.  It  is  true,  they  were  the  loweil  part  of  the  nation;  yet  thq-e 
ihould  have  been  fome  care  taken  of  their  morats,  efpecially  as>  >n  prohibiting  th^ir  mairiage, 
ihey  cornipted  the  morals  of  the  citizens. 

So  thinks  the  inimhable  Montefquieu.  And  how  applicahle  thefe  fentimepts  are  to  the  ibite 
of  things  in  our  ifland,  L  leave  to  the  difjiaffionate  judgement  of  every  man  there,  whether  msir* 
ffed  or  fingle.. 

•      '.»    '  ,.     '  to 


ROOK     ir.     CHAP.    XIII.  33t 

to*  be  held;  and  one  would  fuppofe  it  no  very  arduous  tafk  to  make 
themfelves  more  companionable,  ufeful,  and  efteemable,  as  wives^ 
than  the  Negrefles  and  Mulattas  are  as  miftreffes  :  they  might,  I 
am  well  perfuaded,  prove  much  honefter  friends*  It  is  true,  that, 
if  it  fliould.be  a  man's  misfortune  to  be  coupled  with  a  very  profli-: 
gate  and  extravagant  wife,  the  difference,  in  refpedt  to  his  fortune, 
is  not  great,,  whether  plundered  by  a  black  or  by  a  white  woman. 
But  fuch  examples,  I  may  hope,  are  unfrequent  without  the  hufband's 
concurrence ;  yet,  whenever  they  do  happen,  the  mifchief  they  oc- 
cafion  is  very  extcnfive,  from  the  apprehenfions  with  which  they 
firike  multitudes  of  fingle  men,  the  viler  part  of  whom  endeavour 
to  increafe  the  number  of  unhappy  marriages  by  every  bafe  art  of 
fedu£tion;  while  others  rejoice  to  find  any  fuch,  becaufe  they  feem 
tojuftify  their  preference  of  celibacy,  or  concubinage.  In  regard 
to  the  African  miftrefs,  I  fliall  exhibit  the  following,  as.no  un-. 
fuitable  portrait.  All  her  kindred,  and  moft  commonly  hei?  very 
paramours,  are  faftened  upon  her  keeper  like  fo  many  leeches;, 
while  (he,  the  chief  leech,  confpires  to  ble^d  him  ufque  ad  deliquium^ 
In  well-diffembled  afFeftion,  in  her  tricks,  cajolements,  and  iiw. 
fidelities,  (he  is  fiar  more  perfeftly  verfed,  than  any  adept  of  the. 
hundreds  of  Drury.  She  rarely  wants  cunning,  to  dupe  the  fool; 
that  confides  in  her;  for  who  "  (hall  teach  the  wily  African 
«  deceit?"  The  quinteflTence  of  her  dexterity  confifts  in  perfuading 
the  man  (he  detefts  to  believe  (he  is  moft  violently  (mitten  with, 
the  beauty  of  his  perfon ;  in  (hort,  over  head  and  ears  in  love  with 
him.  To  eftabli(h  this  opinion,  which  vanity  feldom  fails  to  em- 
brace, (he  now  and  then  afFefts  to  be  jealous,  laments  his  ungrateful 
return  for  fo  fincere  a  paffiou ;_  and,  by  this  ftratagem,  (he  is  better 
able  to  hide  her  pfivate  intrigues  with  her  real  favourites.  I  have 
fcen  a  dear  companion  of  this  ftamp  deploring  the  lofs  of  her  de- 
oeafed  cull  with  all  the  feeming  fervency  of  an  honeft  afFeftion, 
or  rather  of  outrageous  forrow  ;  beating  her  head ;  ftamping  with 
her  feet ;  tears  pouring  down  in  torrents ;  her  exclamations  as  wild, 
anid  geftures  as  emphatic,  as  thofe  of  an  antient  Roman  orator  in 
all  the  phrenfy  of  a  publick  harangue.  Unluckily,  it  fooii  ap- 
peared, that,  at  this  very  time,  (he  had  rummaged  his  pockets  an^ 
dcrutoire;    and  concealed  his  watcli^   rings,   and  money,  in  the. 

Una  feather-bed 


1  .« 


23^  JAMAICA. 

feather-^bcd  upon  which  the  poor  wretch  had  jufl;  breathed  his  laft 
And  fuch  is  the  mirror  of  almoft  all  thefe  conjundions  of  white 
and  black !  two  tinctures  which  nature  has  diflbciated,  like  oil  and 
vinegar.  But,  as  if  fome  good  was  generally  to  arife  out  of  evil, 
fb  we  find^  that  thefe  connexions  have  been  applauded  upon  a  prin* 
ciple  of  policy ;  as  if,  by  forming  fuch  alliances  with  the  (laves, 
they  might  became  more  attached  to  the  white  people.  Perhaps, 
the  fruit  of  thefe  unions  may,  by  their  confanguinity  with  a  certain 
number  of  the  Blacks,  fupport  fome  degree  of  influence,  fo  far  as 
that  line  of  kindred  extends :  yet  one  would  Icarcely  fuppofe  it  to 
have  any  remote  effeft ;  becaufe  they,  for  their  6wn  parts,  defpife 
the  Blacks,  and  afpire  to  mend  their  complexion  ftill  more  by  in« 
termixture  with  the  Whites.  The  children  of  a  White  and  Qua* 
teron  are  called  Englifli,  and  confider  themfelves  as  free  from  all 
taint  of  the  Negroe  race.  To  call  them  by  a  degree  inferior  to 
what  they  really  are,  would  be  the  higheft  affront.  This  pride  of 
amended  blood  is  univerfal,  and  becomes  the  more  confirmed,  if 
they  have  received  any  ftnattering  of  education ;  for  then  they  look 
down  with  the  more  fupercilious  contempt  upon  thofe  who  have 
had  none.  Such,  whole  mind  has  been  a  little  purged  from  the 
grofleft  ignorance,  may  wifli  and  endeavour  to  improve  it  dill 
more;  but  no  freed  or  unfreed  Mulatto  ever  wilhed  to  relapie  into 
the  Negro.  The  fa£t  is,  that  the  opulent  among  them  withdraw 
to  England ;  where  their  influence,  if  they  ever  poflefled  any, 
ceafes  to  be  of  any  ufe*  The  middle  clafs  are  not  much  liked  by 
the  Negroes,  becaufe  the  latter  abhor  the  idea  of  being  {lave$  to 
the  defcendants  of  flaves.  And  as  for  the  lower  rank,  the  iflue  of 
cafual  fruition,  they,  for  the  moft  part,  remain  in  the  fame  flavifh 
condition  as  their  mother;  they  are  fellow-labourers  with  the  Blacks, 
and  are  not  regarded  in  the  lead  as  their  fuperiors.  As  for  the  firft- 
mentioned,  it  would  probably  be  no  diflervice  to  the  ifland,  to  regain 
all  thoie  who  have  abandoned  it.  But,  to  ftate  the  comparifbn  fairly, 
if  their  fathers  had  married,  the  difference  would  have  been  this ; 
their  white  offspring  might  have  remained  in  the  colony,  to 
ftrengthen  and  enrkh  it:  the  Mulatto  offspring  defert  and  impo- 
verilh  it.  The  lower  clafs  of  thefe  mixtures,  who  remain  in  the  ifland, 
are  aiiardy  race,  capable  of  undergoing  e^ual  fatigue  with  the  Blacks^ 

above 


BOOK    IL      CHAP.    XIIJ.  ^^^ 

abov^ewhom  (in  poiijt  of  <Jy.e  policy)  they  ought  to  hold  fbmc  dc 
gree  of  diftindioai  They  would  then  form  the  centre  of  con- 
uexiop  between  the  two  extremes,  producing  a  regular  eftabliih- 
ment  of  three  ranks  of  men,  depei>dent  on  each  other,  and  rifing 
in  a  proper  clijnax  of  fubprdlnationf  in  which  tlip  Whites  would 
hold  the  higheft  plqtce.  I  can  forefee  no  mifqhief  that  can  arife 
from  the  enfranchifcment  of  every  Mulatto  child-  If  it  be  objeQed, 
that  fuch  a  plan  may  tend  to  encourage  the  illicit  commerce  of 
which  I  have  been  complaining  j  I  reply,  that  it  will  be  more  likely 
to  rcprefs  it^  becaufe,  although  the  planters  are  at  prefent  very  in-r 
different  about  the  birth  of  fuch  children  upon  their  pftates,. 
knowing  that  they  will  either  labour  for  them  like  their  other 
Have^  or  produce  a  good  price,  if  their  fathers  (hould  incline  to 
purchafe  them  ;  yet  they  will  difcountenance  fuch  intercourfes  as 
much  as  lies  in  their  power  (when  it  ftiall  no  longer  be  for  their 
intereft  to  connive  at  them),  and  ufe  their  endeavours  to  multiply 
the  unmixed  breed  of  their  Blacks.  Beiides,  to  expeft  that  men 
will  wholly  abftain  from  this  commerce,  if  it  was  even  liable  to 
the  (cvcr^  penalties  of  law*  would  be  abfurd ;  for,  fo  long  as 
(bme  men  have  paffions  to  gratify,  they  will  feek  the  indulgence 
pf  them  by  means  the  moft  agreeable,  and  leaft  inconvenient,  to 
themielves*  It  will  be  of  fome  advantage,  as  things  are  circum- 
ftaoced,  to  turn  unavoidable  evils  to  the  benefit  of  fociety,  as  the 
beil  reparation  that  can  be  made  for  this  breach  of  its  moral  and 
political  inftitutions.  A  wife  phyfician  will  ftrive  to  change  an 
acute  di^emper  into  one  lefs  malignant;  and  his  patient  compounds 
for  a  flight  chronic  indifpofition,  fohe  may  get  relief  from  a  violent 
and  naortal  one*  I  do  not  judge  fo  lightly  of  the  prefent  ftate  of 
&>rnu:ation  in  the  ifland,  as  to  fuppofe  that  it  can  ever  be  more 
flourifhing,  or  that  the  emancipation  of  every  Mulatto  child  will 
prove  a  means  of  augmenting  the  annual  number.  The  retrieving 
them  from  profound  ignorance,  affording  them  inftruftion  in 
Chriftian  morals,  and  obliging  them  to  ferve  a  regular  apprentice- 
(hip  to  artificers  and  tradefmen,  would  make  them  orderly  fubjefts, 
and  faithful  defenders  of  the  country.  It  may,  with  greater  weighty 
be  objedcd,  that  fuch  a.  meafure  would  deprive  the  planters  of  ai 

-  part 


•\^ 


♦  T         •  ..  , 


33+  JAMAICA. 

part  of  their  property  ;  and  that  the  briit^ing  up  fo  many  to  tradei^ 
and  mechanic  arts  might  difcdurage  wliite  artificers. 

The  firft  might  be  obviated,  by  paying  their  owners^  a  certain  rate' 
^r  head,  to  be  determined  by  the  legfflatUre..  The  fccond  is  not 
infurmountable;  for  few  or  none  will  be  lifiafter-workmen ;  they 
will  ferve  as  journeymen  to  white  artificers  ;  or  do  little  more  than 
tfiicy  would  have  done,  if  they  had  continufed  in  flavery ;' for  it  is 
the  cuftom  on  moft  eftates  at  prefent  to  make  tradefmen  of  them. 
But,  if  they  v^ere  even  to  fet  up  for  tbemfelves,  no  difad vantage 
Would  probably  accrue  to  the  publick,  hut  the  contrary.  They' 
would  oblige  the  white  artificers  to  work  at  more^nibderate  rates; 
which,  though  not  agreeable  perhaps  to  thefe  artificers,  would  ftill 
Ifcave  them  an  ample  gain,  and  prove  very  acceptable  to  thd'refl:  of 
the  inhabitants ;  for  to  fuch  a  pitch  of  extravagance '  have  they 
raifed  their  charges,  that  they  tax  their  employers  juft  what  they 
think  fit ;  each  man  of  them  fixes  a  rate  according  to  his  dwn  fancy, 
unregulated  by  any  law ;  and,  (hould  his  bill  be  ever  fo  enormous 
or  unjuft,  he  is  in  no  want  of  brother  tradefmen  in  the  jury-box  to 
confirm  and  allow  it.  I  (hall  not  here  prefume  to  diftate  any  entire 
plan- for  carrying  this  fcheme  into  efi^ed.  This  muft  be  left  to  the 
wifdom  of  the  legiflature,  and  be  made  confident  with  the  abilities 
of  the  treafury.  In  general  only  I  may  fuppofe,  that  for  every  fuch 
child,  on  its  attaining  the  age  of  three  years,  a  redfonable  allow- 
ance be  paid  to  the  owner :  from  that  period  it  becomes  the  care  of 
the  public,  and  might  be  provided  for,  at  a  cheap  rate^  until  of  an 
age  fit  forfchool;  then  be  inftruded  in  religion ;  and  at  the  age 
of  twelve  apprenticed  for  the  term  of  four  years  ;  after  this,  be  re*^ 
gimented  in  his  "refpeftive  diftridt,  perhaps  fettled  near  a  town-^ 
Ihip  ;  and,  when  on  militia  or  other  public  duty,  paid  the  fariic 
fubfiftence  per  day,  or  week,  that  is  now  allowed  to  the  Marons.' 
The  expediency  rtuft  be  feen  of  having  (as  in  the  Frendh*  iflands) 
fuch  a  corps  of  adlive  men,  ready  to  fcour  the  woods  upon  all  oc- 
cafions ;  a  fervice,  in  which  the  regulars  are  by  no  means  equal  to 
them-  They  would  likewife  form  a  proper  counter-balance  to  the 
Maron  Negroes ;  whofe  infolence,  during  formidable  infurreftions,' 
has  been  moft  ihfufierable.  The  beft  way  of  fecuring-  the ;  alle- 
giance of  thefe  irregular  people  muft  be  by  preferving  the  treaty 

with 


BOOK    IV     CHAP.      XIIL  335 

with  them  ii;iYiolate ;  and,  at  the  fame  time,  awing  them  into, the 
confervation  of,  ijt.on  their  part  by  fuch  a  powerful  equipoife,  com- 
pofed  of  men  diffimilar  from  them  in  complexion  and  manners, 
but  equal  in  hardinefs  and  vigour. 

The  Mulattos  are^  ia  general,  well-fliaped,  and  the  women  welj-^ 
featured.;  They  feem  to  partake  more  of  the  white  than  the  black. 
Their  hair  has  a  natural  curl;  in  fome  it  refembles  the  Negroe 
fleece;  but,  in  general,  it  is  of  a  tolerable  length.  The  girls  ar-. 
rive  very  early  at  the  age  of  puberty  ;  and,  from  the  time  of  their 
being  about  twenty-five,  they  decline  very  faft,  till  at  length  they 
grow  horribly  ugly.  .  They  are  .lafcivious  ;  yet,  confidering  their 
want  of  infl:rui3;iou,- their  behavjiour  in  public  is  remarkably  de- 
cent; and  they  affe6t  a  modefty  which  they  do  not  feel.  They  are 
lively  and  fenfiblc,  and  pay  religious  attention  to  the  cleanlinefs  of 
their  perfons:  at  the  fame  time,  they  are  ridiculoully  vain,  haugh- 
ty, and  irafcible.  They  poffefs,  for  the  moft  part,  a  tendernefs  of 
diipofition,  which, leads  them,  to  do  many  charitable  actions,  efpe- 
cially'to  poor  while  perfons,  and  makes  them  excellent  nurles  to 
the  fick-  ;  They 'are  fond  of  finery,  and  lavifli  almSfl  all  the  money 
they  get  in, ornaments,  and  the  moft  expenfive  forts  of  linen.  Some 
few  of  them  have  intermarried  here  with  thofe  of  their  ovvn  com- 
plexion;  but  fuch ?n)atches  have  generally  been  defeftive  and  bar- 
ren... They  feem  in  this  refpecl.to  be.  adlually  of  the-  mule-kind," 
and  not  {o  capable,  of  producing  from  one  another  ks  frorh  a  com- 
merce  with  a  diftind  White  or  Brlack.  Monfieur  BufFon  obferves, 
that  it  is  nothing  ftrange  that,  two  individuals  fhould  not  be  able  to 
pr<;>pagate  their  fpecies,  becaufc  nothing  more  is  required  than  fome 
flight  oppofition  in  their  temperaments,  or  fome  accidental  fault  in 
\hQ  genital  organs  q(  either  of  thefe  two  iiidividuals :  nor  is  It 
furprifing,  that  two  individuals,  of  different  fpecies,' fliould  produce 
other  individuals,  which,  being  unlike  either  of  their  progenitdfsj 
bear  no  refemblance'to  any  thing  fixed,  and  confequently  cannot 
produce  any  thmg  refembling  themfelves,  becaufe  all  that  is  requi- 
fite  in  this  produftion  is  a  certain  degree  of  conformiity  between 
the  form  of  the  body  and  the  genital  organs  of  thefe  different  ani* 
malsl  Yet  it  leems*  extraordinary,  -thattWo  Mulattos,  haviiig  in«^ 
terCPHife  together,^  fliould  be  unable  to  contintje  their  fpecies,  the 

womaa. 


336  JAM    A  4    C    A. 

woman  either  proving  barren,  or  their  ofFspring,  if  they  have  any, 
not  attaining  to  maturity;  when  the  fame  man  and  woman,  having 
commerce  with  a  White  or  Black,  would  generate  a  numerous  if- 
fue.  Some  examples  may  poflibly  have  occurred,  where,  upon  the 
intermarriage  of  two  Mulattos,  the  woman  has  borne  children ; 
which  children  have  grown  to  maturity :  but  I  never  heard  of  fuch 
an  inftance ;  and  may  we  not  fufpeft  the  lady,  in  thofe  cafes,  to 
have  privately  intrigued  with  another  man,  a  White  perhaps?  The 
llifpicion  is  not  unwarrantable,  if  we  confider  how  little  their  paf. 
fions  are  under  the  reftraint  of  morality  ;  and  that  the  major  part, 
nay,  almoft  the  whole  number,  with  very  few  exceptions,  have  been 
Jilles  de  joye  before  they  became  wives.  As  for  thofe  in  Jamaica, 
whom  I  have  particularly  alluded  to,  they  married  young,  had  re- 
ceived fome  fort  of  education,  and  lived  with  great  repute  for  their 
chafte  and  orderly  conduct ;  and  with  them  the  experiment  is  tried 
with  a  great  degree  of  certainty :  they  produce  no  ofFspring, 
though  in  appearance  under  no  natural  incapacity  of  fo  doing  with 
a  different  connexion. 

The  fubjed  is  really  curious,  and  deferves  a  further  and  very  at- 
tentive enquiry ;  becaufe  it  tends,  among  other  evidences,  to  efta- 
blifli  an  opinion,  which  feveral  have  entertained,  that  the  White 
and  the  Negroe  had  not'  one  common  origin.  Towards  difproving 
this  opinion,  it  is  neceflary,  that  the  Mulatto  woman  (hould  be 
paft  all  fufpiciou  of  intriguing  with  another,  or  having  communi- 
<:ation  with  any  other  man  than  her  Mulatto  hufband  ;  and  it  then 
remains  for  further  proof,  whether  the  ofFspring  of  thefe  two  Mu- 
lattos, being  married  to  the  offspring  of  two  other  Mulatto  parents, 
would  propagate  their  (pecies,  and  fo,  by  an  uninterrupted  fuccef^ 
fion,  continue  the  race.  For  my  own  part,  I  think  there  are  ex- 
tremely patent  reafons  for  believing,  that  the  White  and  the  Ne- 
groe are  two  diftind  fpecies.  A  certain  philofopher  of  the  prefent 
age  confidently  avers,  that  *^  none  but  the  blind  can  doubt  it."  It 
is  certain,  that  this  idea  enables  us  to  account  for  thofe  diverfities 
of  feature,  Ikin,  and  intelleft,  obferveable  among  mankind ;  which 
cannot  be  accounted  for  in  any  other  way,  without  running  into  a 

thouland  abfurdities^ 

The 


BO.OK    IL     XHAP.    XIIL  2n 

The  antient  fathers .  of  the  Ghriilian  church,  difltking  the  Co^ 
pernican  lyftem,  pronounced  it  damnable  and  heretical  for  any  one ; 
to  maintain  the  doctrine  of  the  antipodes,  and  the  annual  motion 
of  the  earth  round  the  fun.  According  to  the  ecclefiaftical  iyftem 
of  thofe  days,  the  fun,  was  tnade  to  revolve  above  three  hundred 
and  twenty  thouland' miles  in  the  ipaceof  a  minute;  but  it  is  found 
more  rational  to  conclude,  and  more  eafy  to  believe,,  that  t-he  earth 
makes  one  revolution  on  its  own  axis  once  in  tweuty-four  hours  ;, 
aiid  we  have  living  teftimonies  of  its  having  bee;n  circumnavigated, 
and  the  do£lrine  of  antipodes  confirmed  beyond  a  doubt.  The 
freedom  of  phtlofophic  enquiry  may  ftill  proceed  to  extirpate  old 
prejudice?,  and  difplay  more  and  more  (to  the  utter  confufion  o£ 
ignoicance  and  bigotry)  the  beautiful  gradation,  order,  and  har*. 
ipony,  -which  pervade  the  whole  feries  of  created  beings  on  this 
globe* 

Of  the  number  of  the  free  Blacks  an4  Mulattos  in  the  ifland  I 
have  before  given  an  eftimate*  They  mcreafe  very  faft.  By  in 
afl:,  pafled  in  1761,  they  were  all  required  to  take  out  certificates 
of  their,  freedom,  to  bc.figned  by  the  governor...  This  was  ^  very 
proper  method  to  con^e  at  the  knowledge  of  their  number.  Iti 
1762,  or  1763^  they  were  found  as  follows : 

Total  in  the 

iMkldtefex.'                                      Surrjr.  GornwaU.  5  Couati<ti« 

St.  Catharine^  872  Kinfffton,  1095  St.  Elizabeth*    is8 

St.  Thomas  in  the  Vale,  44  Port  Roy^  10  j   Wellmorcland,  1*89  ' 

St.  Tolm,  *  67  St.  Andrew^  56    Hanover^        .67              •       , 

St.Dorothyy  38  Su  David,  21    $t.Jame8|            26 

clarendon,  130  St.  Thomas  in  the  Eaft,  64                                                       * 

Vere,  172  Portland,  2|f 

St.  Anne,  78  St.  George,  3  a 

Sn  Mary,  J  00 

?j^i       ,  .  1397  5^0         3408 

They  are  Unce  incfdafed  to  upwards  of  three  thoufand  feven 
hundred,  ^  principally  in  the  towns;  and,  I  think,  we  may 
reckon  aboiit  one  thoufand  five  hundred  of  them  for  feticible  men, 
fit  for  able  fcrvice  in  the  Militia. 

-I  (hall  conclude' this  account  of  them  with  a  hearty  recommen- 
dation  *  6f  fome  plan,  both  for  inftru€ling  them  in  morality,  and 
regimenting  their  feneible  men^ .  to  be  employed  by  rotation  on 
duty^  I  need  not  recapitulate  my  former  arguments^ 
Vol.  IL  X  x  tending 


J3l  J    -A  ^   A    f   C    A* 

teiHUttg  lo  iilttllrate  the  utility^  ao^  «ve»  ncceflStjr,  nf  sdofitiHg 
this  xocaTuf^. 

SECT.    IV. 

» 

M    A    R    Q    N    S[/J, 

Wf^EN  th^  Spaniards  fetrc;itcd  befbfc  the  army  under  ctm^ 
mand  6f  Venables,  they  had  with  them  about  one  thouf^nd  fivo 
Itundr^  Negroes  and  Mulattos^  many  of  whom  were  f)aves^  Some 
adhered  to  their  tnafters ;  while  others  difperfed,  thirty  or  forty  in 
i  gang,  to  difi^rent  parts  of  the  mountains*  chufing  their  owt^ 
leaders;  from  wheuce  they  made  frequent  cxcutfions^  to  harralk 
the  EngUih  foldiiers,  who  h^^d  been  represented  to  them  aa  HocAm 
thirty  heretics,  that  gave  no  quarter.  They  frequently  killed  ftrag-% 
^V9  ne^i^  the  head-quiirter$  i  and  one  w^ht  grew  fo  boid»  as  to  6rQ 
a  houf©  in  the  very  towiXi,  Maior-general  Sedgewick  prophelied,^ 
in  his  letter  to  Thurlae  (i^sfy^  '^^^  thefe  Blacks  would  proW 
thorns  in  our  fides ;  livil\g  as  they  did  in  the  woods  >andt  mountains^' 
^'kiind  of  life  n^turJil  and  a^eeable  tp  thettk  HeaBds,  ih^t  they' 
gave  no  quarter  to  his  men,  hut  dcftroyed  them  whenever  they 
(aund  opportunity,  fcarc^  a  week  pafling  without  their  flaying  c»» 
OS  two  i  and*  .a»  tbe^  foldiers  grew  niore  fecure  «nd  oarelefs*  they 
became  more  enterprifin*  and  bloody*  *^  HaWrig  no  morgt fenfo^'^ 
continues^  he*  ^f  nor  unoerftandiii^  what  the  laws  and  cuflomsof 
<(  civil  nations  mean,  Ave  neither  know  bow  to  capitulate  or  dif^^ 
4«  courfe  with,  nor  how  to  take^  any  of  them%  But,  be  aflured*  they 
<^  muft  either  be  deftroyed*  or  brought  in  upon  fome  terms  oi^ 
i*  other;  or  elfe  they  willpfove  a  great  difcouragement  to  the  fet» 
€4  tling  of  people  here/*  Wlxat  hq  ibretol4  a^ually  came  to  pafs* 
At  the  latter  end  of  the  fame  year  (1656)^  thti  ^xv^  gained  ibme^ 
trifling  fuc^fs  againft  them  i  hut  this  was  ibon  afterwards  ieverely 
retaliated  by  the  (laughter  of  forty  fi>ldiera,  cut  off  as  ^ey  wer« 
carelefsly  rambli^  near  their  quarters^  .  A  party  was  immediately 

fent  in  queft  of  the  enemy^jc^gose  up  with«  and  killed  ftven  or  eight 


BOOK  n.    ^HAP.Xin.  U9 

of  them.  T^e  folloaringj^eatr,  they  difcovcrcd  the  place  whei;c 
.the  Blacks  held,  their  ui^al .  rcodezvQus«  ^nd  gave  th^  fome  an- 
noyance. But  they  ilill  found  means  to  hold  out^  until,  being  hard 
pr^ffed  by  colonel  D^Oyley^  who«  by  his  final  overthrow  of  the 
Spaniards  iat  Rio  Nuevo,  havlog  tal^ea  from  them  alj  hope  of  fu- 
ture fuccour  from  their  antienf  friends,  they  became  very  much 
fireightened;  for  want  of  provifions  and  aramunition.  The  main 
party,  under  the  coaimand  of  their  captaui,  Juai)  de  Bolas  (whoi^ 
place  of  retreat,  in  Clarendon,  ftiil  retains  hi^  name),  furreudered 
to  the  Englifli  on  terms  of  pardon  and  freedom.  But  other  parties 
remained  in, the  moft  inacceiEble  retreats  withiii  the  mouotaiuous 
wilds;  where  they  laot  only jiugmented  theic  numbers  i>y  procre* 
ation,  hut,  after  the  iflaad  became  thicket  fown  with  plantation^, 
they  were  frequently  reinforced  by  fugitive  flaves,  a^d  at  length 
grew  confident  enough  of  their  force  to  updcrtake  defcents  upojii 
the  ixiterior  planters,  n(iany  of  whom  they  murdered  from  time ^o 
time ;  and,  by  their  barbarities  and  outrage,  intimidated  the  Whites 
from  vepturing  to  any  coniiderable  diftance  from  the  fca-coa(L 
One  of  thefe  parties  was  ctilled  the  Vermaholis  Negroes;  in  queft 
of  whom  captain  Ballard  was  fent,  in  the  year  1660,  with  a  de« 

.tachment,  and  tookieveral  of  them  priibners.  In  1663,  the  liey**^ 
tenant-governor  Sir  Charles  Lyttelton,  and  his  council,  iliiied  a 

.  proclamsition,  offering  to  grant  twei^ty  acres  of  la^id  /rr  }iead,  and 
their  ^e^dqm,  to  all  fuch  of  them  as  would  coipe  in.    But  I  do  npt 

.  find  that  any 'Of  them  inclined  to  aco^pt  the  terxnsi  ^rquit  their 
&vag$  wfiy  of  lifek  On  the  contrary^  they  Were  better  pleafibd 
with  tlie  more  ample  range  they  pofieflcd  in  the  woods^  wJhere 
their  hunting-gr^nd  was  not  yet  limited  by  fettlements*  Thfy 
took  care  that  uone  of  the  latter  ^hou]4  be  forcoied ;  aiid^  fpr  tl^is 

,  .ffafpQ&i  butcheried  every  white  family  that  ventured  |to  feat  itielf 

.  any  qoinliderahle  dii):jii>ce  inlands  When  ,  the  goveriior  perceived 
that  ihe.prodaawtion  wrought  ik>  effect  upon  th^r  favage  mio<)st 
Juan  .^e  jBplas^  who  was  now  made  colonel  of  the  ,Bhick  rt^knent^ 
^M  fen^  .to '€(n^f avour  their  redu6lion;  b^ut^  in  the  prpfecution  fi£ 

\  this  f«rvice,  kp  N^  ynf^cfiuaately  into  an.ajpabufcade>  and  was^cfuc 
in  pieces.  In  March,  16641  captain  Cplbec^,  of  ;the.W|;iit^  mi'^ 
litiat  was  employed  for  the  fame  purpofe.    He  went  by  fea  to  the 

Xx  2  North 


^40  J    A    M    A    1    C    A. 

North  fiile ;  and,  having  gained  fome  advantages  over  them,  he  re* 
turned,  with  one  who  pretended  to  treat  for'  the  reft.  This  emr- 
bafly,  however,  was  only  calculated  to  amufe  the  Whites,  and  gain 
fome  refprte ;  for  they  no  fooner  found  themfelves  in  a  proper  coir- 
dition,  and  the  white  inhabitants  lulfed  into  fccurity,  dian  they 
began  to  renew  hoftinties. 

Thefe  Blacks  poffefled  feveral  fmaTl  towns  in  different  divifioiis 
of  the  country;  and,  about  the  year  1693,  commenced  open  war, 
having  chofen  Cudjoe  for  their  general iffimo;    They  continued  to 
diftrefs  the  ifland  for  abour  forty-feven  years ;  and,  during  this 
time,  forty-four  afts  of  aflTembly  were  paflTed,  and  at  lead  240,000/. 
expended,  for  their  fuppreffion.      In  173O,  they  were  grown  fo 
formidable,  that  it  was  found  expedient  to  flrengthenthe  colony 
againft  them  by  two  regiments  of  regular  troops,  which  were  af- 
terwards formed  into  independent  companies,  and  employed,  with 
other  hired  parties,  and  the  whole  body  of  miiitia,  towards  their 
reduftion.     In  the  year  1734,  captain  Stoddart,  who  commanded 
one  of  thefe  parties,  projcfted  and  executed*  with  great  fuccefs  an 
attack  of  their  windward  town,  called  Nanny,  (ituated  near  Car- 
"  rion-crow  Ridge,  one  of  the  highefl  mountains  in  the  ifland,  m 
'  the  neighbourhood  of  Bath.     Having  provided  fome  portable  fwi* 
'  vel-guns,  he  filently  approached  their  quarters,  and  reached  within 
a  fmall  diflancc  of  them  undifcovered*      After  halting  for  fome 
time,  he  began  to  afccnd  by  the  only  path  leading  to  their  town. 
He  found  it  ffcep,  rocky,  and  difficult,  arid  not  wide  enough  to  ad- 
mit the  paflage  of  two  perfons  abreafl.     However,  he  fiirmounted 
thefe  obflacles ;  and,  having  gained  a  fmall  eminence,  commanding 
the  huts  in  which  the  Negroes  were  lodged  all  faft  afleep,  he  fixed 
his  little  train  of  artillery  to  the  befl  advantage,  and  difcbarged 
upon  them  fb  brifkly,  that  many  were  (lain  in  tbeir  habitations^ 
and  feveral  more,  amidfl  the  conflernation  which  this  furprize  oc- 
•  cafioned,  threw  themfelves    headlong  down  precipices.     Captain 
Stoddart  purfued  the  advantage,   killed  numbers,  took  many  pri- 
fohers,  and,l  in  (hort,  fb  cbmpleatly  deftroyed  or  routed  the  whdle 
body,  that  they  were  unable  afterwardis  to  tStSi  atty  enterprize  of 
'  cjLoincnt  in  this  quarter  of  ^he  Hland* 

'  /  About 


BOOK  ALA    CHAP.  ;XIIt  ^^41 

:!.!  ^-boutlthc  fame. timet  another  party  of  the  Bbcks  (having  per- 

-  ceivicd  that  a  body,  of  the  militia,  ftationed  at  the:  barrack  of  Bag- 

.nal's  Thicket^  in  St.  Mary,  under  command  of  colonel  Charhon 

and  captain  Ivy,  ftrayed  hcedlefsly  from   their  quarters,  and  kept 

IK)  oKlcr)  focmed  an  ambufcade  to  cut  t;hem  off,  and,  vyhilft  the 

officers  were  at  dinner,  attended  by  very  few  of  their  men,  the 

Marons  rulhed  fuddenly  from. the  adj&c^nt  woods,  and  aflaulted 

them.      Several    pieces   were  difcharged;    the   report   of   which 

alarmed  the  militia,  who  immediately  ran  to  their  arms,  and  came 

up  in  time  to  refcue  their  officers  from  de.ftru£lion.     The  Marons 

.w^re  rejHilfed,  and  forced,  tg  take  fhelter  in  the  \yoods ;  but  the 

.  militia  did  not  think  fit  to  purfue  thtvti  far.     Some   rumours  of 

this  Ikirmifli  reached  Spanifh  Town,  which  is  diftant  from  the  fpot 

about  tliirty  miles;  and,   A$  all  the  circumftances  were  not  known, 

the  inhabitaiits  were  thrown  into  the  moft  dreadful  panic,  from  • 

apprehenfions  that  the  Marons  had  defeated  Charlton,  and  were  in 

fq]l'  march  to  attack 'th^  XQyun.  '  Ayfcough,  fhen  commander  in 

chief,  fell  in  with  the  popular- fear^  ordered  the  trumpets  to  found, 

th$  drums  tobeatj^  and  in:a,,feWrhours  colledted  a  body  of  horfe 

.  and  foot,  who:  wein  tft  njeet  the  eneijiy.     On  the  fecdnd  dayjaftcr 

their  departure,  they  came  up  to  a  place,  where,  by  the  fires  whicli 

remained  unextingui(hed,  they  fuppofed  the  Maron^  bad  lodged  the 

J. preceding  njght.   They  therejfor^  folio vyed  .the  track,  and  foon  after 

•  got  fight;  pfahem,  .Captaii)  Edmunds,  who  Qommanded  the  de- 

.  tachgneat,  ^i^^gfed  his.  gien  for  adioq ;  bUt  the  Marons  .declined 

.  eug^gipgi  and  fled  different,  ways w     Several,  however^  were  flaiii 

ia(,the,purfuit*   and  others  made .  prifoners. . .  Thefe  twa  viSories 

.  redjjced  their  ft rength,  ^and  infpired  them  with  fa  much  terror, 

.  j^bat  they^  ni^y^er  ftffcer  appeared  in  any  confiderable  body,  4iqr.  dared 

.  to  make  aiiy  ^and.  r  Jndeed,  from  the  commencement,  pf  the  war 

ti|l  this  rperip(J,  they  had;  not  once  venjiiire^  a  pitchej^  battle;,  but 

..i^plked  aboA;it  the  ikirts  of  remgte  plantations^:  furprifing  ftragglers^ 

;.md:;.m«fderingjhe  Whiter  or  three  at  ajime,  or  when 

.  i^ipy  w^re;  too  few;,  to  naake  any  refiilanc^    ^By  night  they  feizcd 

.  the;favouj[aUl^.pgportun;ity,:>t^^  gav^  tjicjm,  of  ftealing 

f  into  tj^e  jjettlemcnts ;  wh^re  they-fetj^^re  to  can^pijsces  ^ud  out- 

/boufcs^j  kiljed  all  th^  ?!^.#li^€iy  cftuldr,,fi^,4a»4.;Ca^^^  the 

J  Haves 


flaves  into  captmty.^  By-  this  daftatdly  nptcAod  of  coddufting  (he 
war,  they  did  infinite  mifchief  to  the  Whites,  without  much  ex« 
pofing  their  own  pcrfons  to  danger ;  for  they  always  cautioufly 
-  avoided  fighting,  except  with  a  number  fo  difproportionately  tnle- 
rior  to  them,  as  to  afford  fhem  a  pretty  fiirc  exped:atioki  of  victory. 
They  knew  every  fecret,  avenue  of  the  ^country ;  fo  that  rhey  could 
either  conceal  themfclves  from  purfuit,  or  form  ambufcades,  or 
(hifc  their  ravages  from  place  to  place,  according  as  circumflances 
required.  Such  were  the  many  difadvantages  under  which  the 
Englifh  had  to  deal  with  thefe  defultory  foes ;  who  were  not  redu- 
cible by  any  regular  plan  of  attack;  who  poflefied  no  plunder  to 
allure  or  reward  the  ailailants  ;  nor  had  any  thing  to  lofe,  except 
life  and  liberty. 

Previous  to  the  fucceflcs  above-mentioned,  the  diftrefs  into  which 
the  planters  were  thrown  may  be  coUedted  from  the  fenfc  which 
.the  legiflature  exprefled  in   fome  of  their  afts.     In   the  year  1733, 
they  let  forth,  that  thefe  Blacks  had  within  a  few  years  greatly 
increafed,   not  with  (landing  air  the  meafiK^s  that  had  then  been 
concerted,  and  made  ufe  of,  for  theit  fupprddion ;  in  particular, 
that  they  had  grown  very  formidable  in  the  Ndrch-Eaft,  North- 
Weft,  and  South* Weft  diftrids  of  the  ifland,  to  the  great  terror 
.of  his  majefty*s  fubjefts  in  tbofe  parts,  who  had  greatly  fuffered  by 
:the  frequent  r^bdries^    murders,    and    depredations,    comniiitttd 
by  them;  that,  in  the  pari(hes  of  Clarendon^  St.  Anne,  St.  Eli- 
zabeth, Weftmoiieland,  Hanover,  ai^d  St.  James^  they  were  con« 
iiderably  multiplied,  and  had  large  fettlements   among  the  tia0ttn« 
tains,  and  leaft-acceftible  parts  ;  ^^4ience  they  plundered  all  aroued 
them,   and  caufed  feveral  plantations  to  he  thrown  yp  and  aban«* 
doi^dy  and  prevented  many  valuable  tra£ts  of  land  from-  bein|^  cul- 
tivated, to  the  great  prejudice  and  diminution  of  his  tmjifty^S  re- 
firenue^  as  Well  as  of  the  trade>  navigation,  and  oonfumptien»  of 
BritiCh  matiufa^ui-es;    and  td  the  mamfeft  weakening  and  pre* 
.y rating  further  iricreefe  of  ftrength  and  inhabitants  in  the  ifland* 
'^e  may  learn  froih  hence  what,  extenfire  mifclrief  inay1>e  per- 
.  ^petrated  ty  the  moft  defpicable  inid  cowardlur  %nemy .    Tlhfc  lif- 
fembly,  <p6i«ei^rig  that  the  ^mplbymem  of  flying  7)artits  ^Had 
^oved  ifleflWhialy  bjr  *he  length  ^T  thciif  marches,  the  dtificulty 

of 


BOOK-^II    /CHAR    XIIL  343. 

of  fuliMiftg  them  ia  the;wbQds.fiMfft)  long  a  tiii^  as  the  fervice,  re* 
quired^  and  the  fsicdtty  wtth  which  the  Marans  eluded  their  pur- 
fuerst  ordered  feveral  dofenftble  houfes*^  or  barracks  fortified  with 
baftious^  to  be  ereded  in  difiereitt  parts»  as  n^ar  as  poilibb  to  the 
enemy**  moft  fevaa rite  haunts :  in  every  one  of  thefe  tjicy  placed. 
ai^ng  garriibn^  who  were  regularly  fubfifledy  and  road^  of  comr 
municatipi)  were  opened  frocaoa^;  to  the  other.  Thefe^g^rrifons 
were  compofed  of  white  and  black  (hot  and  baggage  Negroes^  who 
were  all  duly  trained^  Every  captain  was  allowed  a  pay  of  10/. ; 
the  lieutviatits  each  5A;  ierjeants  4 /. ;  aod  privates  2/.^^^r  nionth. 
They  were  fubje6bd  to  rules  and  articles  of  war ;  and  the  whole 
body,  put  un^:  tfee  gQV^nwr*s  jt^nmediate,  ordcr^,  to  he  employed 
c6|)}UD£)!lyt  orJeporately*  M  k^  ihoul^  fee  occafion^  Their  general 
plan  of  duty,  as  dire<^ed  by  the  law,  was  to  make  excurfioiis  from 
the  barracks,  icour  the  woods  and  mountains,  and  deftroy  the  pro* 
ytfiont-groundsjatid  haunts  of  the  Marops;  and,  that  they  might 
not  return  without  cffediog  fpme  (ervice,  they  ,  were  required  to 
take^twenty  days  piovlfiosa  with  them  .on  eveiy  fpch  expedition^ 
Every  barrack  was  furniAed  besides  with  a  pack  of  dogs,  provided 
by  the  chuKh-wardi^ns  of  the  refpeCtive  parifhes;  it  being  forefeen^ 
that  theie  animals  would  prove  extremely  ferviceable,  not  only  in 
guardtog.againftiurprizeainth&j)]ght,  but  in  tracking  the  enemy. 
.  Thia^anrangeimeDt  was  the  jjioft  Judicious  hitherto  contrived  for 
their  e^dwd  r^duiSiotx^  for:  f^  many: fort^efies,  ftatione,d^  in  the 
very  xeintre  of ^heir  ufual  retcesfts,  lyell  fupplied  with.^very  hg^ 
Cfdf&ry,  gave  them  a  conftant  and  vigorous  aiuioyance,  and,  ia 
Ihort,  became  the  chief  means  of  bringing  oa  that  treaty  which 
afterwards  pui;  an  end  to! thktireftxme  war. 

About  theriyear  1738,  theai&mbly  refolved  on  takii^  two  hun- 
dred:o£  thei  NSofijWito  Indiaos  txM:o  tl>eir.  pay,  to  haften  the  fup^ 
pr^toiof  lih«f :  l4aron$.  ;  Tb^y.  paifed  ao  a£l»  for  rendering  free 
Negrom,  MuUtlOs,  and  Indian?,  more  ufefu),,  and  forming  them 
toiio.  coiaQpaiU9S9  .with  proper  encouragements.  Some  floops  wero 
d«(^atched  Ml  thecAore  3  md  ih^t  number  were  brought  into  tho 
iAi^;  fbrjnc^.ifttc^:cofbp^40$  under  their  own  ofRcers,  a^d  allowed 
fbrtyiAUhnss a'ftof:^*!!. ftyr.pay^:  ht^d&s  fhoes^  »ad  white  guides 
vese  afligned  to  ooodu^  them  to  Cb«  enemy^   .la  thi».  fervice  they 

gave 


344  -J    A    M-    A    !•  C    A,     I 

gave  proofs  of  great  fagacity.    !One  of  their  white- ;  oondua^rs^.  hqv- 
ing  fhot  a  wild  hog  whilft  they  were  on  a  march,  the  Indiaps. !  told 
him  that   was  not  the  way  to  furprize  the  Blacks,-  for  th«  noife 
fervedonly  to  put  them  upon  their -guard ;  aadthat,.  if  het  wanted 
provifions,  they  could  kill  the  game  equally  well  with  thmE  arrovs, 
or  lances,  without  giving  any   ala^m.     It  was  their  praaice  to  :ob- 
ferve  the  raoft  profound  filetKe  in  marching  to  the  enemy- s  quarterp; . 
and,  when  they  had  once  hit  upon  a  track,  they  were  fare  ta.  dis- 
cover the  haunt  to  which  it  led.     They  effefted  confiderahle  fer- 
vice ;  and  were,  indeed,  the  moft  proper  troops  to  be  employed . 
in  that  fpecies  ofadtion,  which  is  kridwn  ill  America  by  tthe'name. 
of  hufh-fightlng.     They  were  well   rewaffded  for  their  goodj  con.- 
dud;  and  afterwards  dtfmiffed  totheirowft  -cpuntryy  when;  ^thcr  pa- 
cification took  place  with   the    Marons.     In   1741,    the  affembly 
(hewed  a  further  mark  of  efteem  for  thefe  honeft  Indians;  for, 
being  informed  that  fome'  traders  belongingto  theiifland  had  made, 
a  practice  ^frec^ucntly  of  ftealing  away,  and  fclliogi  tdieir  chtldten  as 
iiaves,    which  occafioned   the   Indians  of  Darien  .and  Sambla  to 
withdraw  their  fricndfliip  from  the  Ekigliib,  aoad  embrace  alliance 
with  the  Spaniards  ;  tl^y  pafleda  bill,  .'enading,  that  all  Indians, 
imported  into  the  ifland  for  fale,  (hould  be  as  free  as  any  other 
;aliens  or  foreigners;  and  that  all  fuch   fales   fliould:,  fpfp  Ja^^^  ht 
void;    and  the   buyer  and   ieller   be  liisble  to  a  peoflty  of  50/. 
each.     In  17^9  j  govepnor  Trehwnyi  by  the  advice  of  tte  principal 
gentlemen  of  the   Hla^id,  propofed  x^verttires  of  a  peace  with  the 
Maron  chiefs.      Both  parties  were  now  grown    heartily  wearied 
out  with. this  tedious  conflict.     The  white  inhabitants  wifhed  re« 
lief  from  the  horrors  of  continual  alaritis,  the  hard(hip  of  military: 
duty,  and  the  intolerable  burthen  of  maintaining  an  army  on  foot. 
Th^  Marons  were  not  kfs  anxidas  for  an  accommodation :    they. 
were  hemmed  in  and  clofely  beftt  on  all  fides;    their  prdviHons 
deftroyed;  and  themfelves   reduced  to  fo'miferable  a  condition  by 
famine  and  inceffant  attacks,  that  Gudjoe.  (whomlconverfed  with 
|nany  years  afterwards)  declared^  if' pdace  had  not  bei^  offend  to 
them,  they  bad  no  choice  left  hut  either  to  be  ftaf^veSi,  iay  violent 
hands  on  one  another,  or  fut^reiider  to  the  tyDgliih- iat  difcretionti^ 
The  extremity,  however,  of  their  cafe  waS  not  at  that  time  knoww 

to 


ffo am  •  n;    ch  a p;  xiii.  345 

CO  th^-^llfW  ifihabitant&;  afxl^he  afttcles  of  pacification  were 
therefore  ratified  with  the  Maron  chiefs,  who  were  colonel  Cudjoc, 
captains  Accompong,  Johnny,  Cufee,  and  Quaco.  By  thefe  ari 
ticles  it  was  flipulaeed, .  that  they  and  their  adherents  (except  fuch 
as  had  fled  to  them  within  two  years  preceding^  and  might  be 
willing  to  retAirn  to  their  owners  upon  grant  of  full  pardon  and 
indemnity,  b\it  otherwifo  to  remain  in  fubje£lion  to  Cudjoe) 
ihould  enjoy  perpetual  freedom:  that  they  fhould  pofTefs  in  fee 
fimpleone  thoufand  five  hundrtd  acres  of  land  near  Trelawny*Town^ 
in  the  partfii  of  St.  James ;  have  liberty  to  plant  coffee,  cacao^ 
ginger,  tobacco,  and  cotto^n;  and  breed  cattle,  hogs,  goats,  and 
any  other  Aock,  and  to  difpofe  of  the  fame ;  with  liberty  of  hunt- 
ing amy  where  within  three  mil^s  of  any  fettlement  [«]• 

That  they,  and  their  fucceflbrs,  fliould  ufe  their  beft  endeavours 
to  take,  kill,  fupprefs,  and  deflroy,  all  rebels  throughout  the 
Hland,  unlefs  fhey  flioutd  fubmit  to  the  like  terms  of  accommo- 
dation  [tf].  That  they  flioutd  repair  at  all  times,  purfuant  to  the 
governor's  order,  to  repel  any  foreign  invaiion :  that,  if  any  white 
perfon  fhould  do  them  injury,  they  fiiould  apply  to  a  magiilrate  for 
cedrefs;  and  in  cafe  any  Maron  diould  injure  a  white  perfou,  the 
offender  ihould  be  delivered  op  to  juflice :  that  Cudjoe,  and  his 
fucceflbrs  in  command,  ihould  wait  on  the  governor  once  a  yearj 
if  required:  that  he  and  his  fuccefibrs  fhould  have  full  power  tq 
puniih  crimes  committed  among  themielves  by  their  own  men, 
punifhment  of  death  only  excepted  ;  and  that,  in  capital  cafes,  the 
offenders  fhould  be  brought  before  a  juflice  of  peace,  in  order  to 
be  proceeded  againf^i  and  tried  like  other  free  Negroes :  that  two 
white  men  fhould  conflantly  refide  with  Cudjoe  and  his  fucceflbrs^ 
to  keep  up  friendly  corrcfpondence.  The  command  of  Trelawny 
Town  was  limited  to  Cudjoe  during  life;  and,  alter  his  deceafe,  to 
Accompong,  Johnny,  Cuffee,  and  Quaco;  and,  in  remainder, 
to  fuch  perfon  as  the  governor  for  the  time  being  may  think  fit.  to 

[ff]  One  thoufand  acres  have  fikewife  been  aifigned  to  Accoropong's  Town^  in  S(«  EKzabetfa^a } 
and  due  proponions  to  the  other  towns ;  fecured  to  their  refpe^ive  Negroe  inhabitants  in  per- 
petoity;  and  a  penalty  of  500^  ordained  againft  any  petibn  convidcd  of  diiturbing  their  pof- 
fcffion. 

[0]  This  alludes  to  captain  Qjjao,  of  the  vvindward  party)  who  did  not  come  in  tiU  the  foU 
lowing  year. 

Vol.il  Yy  ^      appoints 


346  JAMAICA 

apppint*    Thefe  are  the  moft  material  articles  r^CQgnleed  by  the 
law.    It  llkewife  provides,  .that  qo  perfon  (hall  feize^  detain,    or 
difturb,  any  of  the  Negroes  in  the  poiTeflions  and  privileges  thereby 
granted,  under  penalty  of  500/.;  and  it  allows  them,  for  appre« 
bending  and  bringing  in  run-away  flaves,  i o <r.  ^^r  head,  with  a 
poundage  of  2s.  6d.  fqr  money  diiburfed,  befides  mile^ money,  ac* 
cording  to  the  diftance,     Thefe  were  the  Negroes  belongidg  to  the 
leeward   towns,    Trelawny    and   Accompong,    the  former  iu  St. 
James  ;  the  other  in  St.  Elizabeth.     Some  year$   afterwards,  upon 
fome  difference  jrifing  among,  the  Negroes  at  Trelawny,  as  I  have 
heard,    concerning  the  right  of  command,    a  fray  enfued.     The 
towu'  divided  into  two  factions :  one   of   which  adhered  to  a  new 
chief,  named  Furry,  and  removed  with  him  to  another  fpot,  where 
they  formed  a  new  town,  called  after  his  name.     In  .1740,  the  like 
accommodation  was  entered  into  with  Captain  Quao,  of  the  wind«< 
war(J  party  ;  thp  purport  of  which  is  much  the  faitie  as  the 'pre*- 
ceding,    except  that  they  are  prolii.bited  exprefsly  frdm.  planting) 
any  f>3gar-canes,  eiccept  for  their  hogs ;  v)d  are  to  be  tried  f6r  capital 
crimes,  Jike  other  Negroes.    The  commands  .upon  Qqao*$  deaths 
is  fettled  to  devolve  to  Captain  Thomboy ;  remainder  to   Apong^ 
Blackwall,  Clafh ;  and;  afterwards  to  be  fupplied  by  the  governoc 
for  the  time  being.     It  was  likewife  coiiditionedj .  th^t  all  fugitive: 
(lav^s,   who  had  joined  Quao's  party,  or  had  been  taken  prifoner$ 
by  xhem  within  three  years  antecedent,  (hopld  be  delivered  up  to 
their  refpedlive  owners,  upon  affu ranee  of  pardon  and  good  ufage^ 
This  windward  party  now  occupy  Scot's  Hall,  in  St*  Mary;  Moorei* 
Town  (formed  upon  the  defertion  of  Nanny  Town),  in  Portland 
and  Crawford;  or  Charles  Town,  in  St.  George* 

By  fubfequent  laws,  the  premium  for  taking  up  run-aways  was. 
augmented  to  3/,  per  head  [^],  and  fome  other  provifions  enadedr 
viz.  that  any  Negroes  in  thefe  towns,  committing  tumult  and  di»- 
Aurbance,  fliall  fuffcr  fuch  punilhment  as  the  white  fuperintendant^ 
with  four  townfmen,  and  the  captain  commandant,  (hall  inflif^, 
not  extending  to  life  r  that  the  governor  (hall  iffue  commillions 
for  trial  of  the  offenders ;  that  thej   fliall  not  abfent  themfelvea 

[/]  By  an  a«5l  paflfed  fmcc,  viz,  in  the  year  17^69,  tbc  premium  Is  reduced  to  2  7.^  head,  or  (b 
much  only  as  the  niaglftraie  may  deem  meet  3  and  roilc-mon^y  at  the  ra(t  of  7|^./<r  naile.. 

£rom 


BOOK,  m       CH'AR    XIII.  34^ 

fipom  Ihcir  tefpedive  towns »  without  leave  in  writing  from  their 
refpeftive  commanding  officer,  under  penalty,  upon  convi£kion  be» 
fore  two  juftices  and  three  freeholders,  of  being  deprived  of  frfee- 
dom,  and  tranfported  off  the  ifland :  the  like  penalty,  for  enticii^ 
ilaves  to  run  away.  They  are  alfo  forbidden. to  purchafe  flavesi 
under  penalty  of  forfeiture,  and  100  L  fine,  to  be  paid  by  the  feller; 
or  other  perfon  concerned..  .    . 

Thefe  Negroes,  although  inhabiting  more  towns:than  at  firft,  arc 
diminiflied  in  their  nutxiber  by  deaths,  and  cohabitation  with  flaves 
on  the  plantations,  inflead  of  intermixing  with  each  other.     They 
have  been  very  ferviceahle,  particularly  the  leeward  parties,  in  fop- 
preffing  fcveral  infurre^kions.     Their  captains  are  diftinguiflied  with 
a  filver  chain  and   medal,  infcribed  with  their  names :  they  wear 
cockades,  and  are  regularly  commiflioned  by  the  governor^     It  is 
cuftomary  for  the  governors  to  give  audience,  to  their  chiefs  once  a 
year,  and  confer  fome  mark  of  favour;  fuch  as  an  old  laced  coat  or 
waiftcoat,  a  hat,  fword,  fufce,  or  any  other .  articles  of  the  like  na^ 
ture,  which  feem  raoft  acceptable.     They  are  pleafed  with  thefe 
diftindions ;  and  a  trifling  douceur  of  this  fort  beftowed  annually, 
accompanied   with  exprefiions   of  favour,   wins  their  hearts^  and 
ftrengthens  their  dutiful  attachment.     It  is  probable,   they  would 
be  much  honefter  allies,  and  more  faithful  fubje£ts,  if  fome  little 
pains  were  taken  to  inftil  a  few  notions  of  honeAy  and  A'eligion 
into  their  minds..    The  ere&ion  of  a  chapel  .iii  each  of  their  towns 
would  be  attended  with  very.fmall  exp^nce;  and  here  they  might 
regularly  attend  divine  worfhip  once  a  week.     A  fmall  addition  to 
the  redor's  falary  would  enable  him  to  vifit  and  difcourfe  to  them 
Qccafionally.     The  white  rcfidents  ought  to   be  thoroughly  exa- 
mined by  the  governor;  and  eare  be  taken,  that  they  are  men  of 
good  morals,  fober,   and  promoters  of   order  and  peace  in  their 
fcveral  towns.     They  (hould  bepuniflied  with. exemplary  feverity, 
whenever  found  guilty  of  oppreffion,  or  other  ill  ufage.     And  the 
articles  of  treaty  (hould  never  be  infringed  by  legillature,  while  the 
Negroes  conform  to  them  on  their  part :  but,  when  any  deviation  is 
made,  it  ought  in  juftice  to  afFedl  only  the  contravenors  of  them* 
Good  faith,  good  ufage,  and  moral  ihftrudion,  as  far  as  they  may 
be  capable  of  it,  are  the  beft  guaraiitees  of  their  firm  allegiance ;  a 

Y  y  2  different 


34?  J    A    k    A    I    C    A^ 

different  meafure  of  conduft  will  necefiarily  render  them  difeon^ 
tented  and  troublefooie* 

-  Tedious  and  expeniive  as  the  war  was,  which  continued  for  fo 
ptSLuy  years  before  they  could  be  brought  to  terms^  the  event  was 
very  happy  for  the  iflaod.  The  multitude  of  patties  kept  on  £3ot^ 
to  iave(L  their  quarters,  led  to  the  difoovetiy  of  various  tracks  of 
exceedingly  fine  land,  unknown  before^  Many  of  theic  were 
brought  into  cultivation  feon  after  they  were. reduced;  and  the 
roads,  which  were  cot  from  time  to  time  through  the  woods,  for 
the  better  carrying  on  of  military  operations,  were  in  confequenco 
found  of  great;  ufe  to  the  new  iettlers,  for  carriage  of  their  goods. 
The  treaty,  moreover,  gave  a  fecurity  to  young  beginners  in  the 
remote  parts,  even  againd  any  machinations  of  their  own  (laves: 
fo  that  this  conteft,  which^  while  it  lafted,  feexned  to  poiptend  no* 
thing  leis  than  the  ruin  of  the  whole  colony,  became  productive 
of  quite  contrary  effeds  in  the  end ;  inibmucfa  that  we  may  date 
the  fiourilhing  flate  of  it  from  the  ratification  of  the  treaty;  ever 
fince  which,  the  ifland  has  been  incieafing  in  plantations  and  opu<- 
lence. 

Their  manner  of  engaging  with  an  enen^r  has  fomething.  too 
lingular  in  it  to  be  pafled  over.  In  the  year  1764,  when  gdvemor 
Lyttelton  palTed  through  St.  James  pariih  on  his  leeward  tour,  the 
Trelawlny  Marons  attended  him  at  MontegoBay,  to  the  number  of 
eighty-four,  men,  women,  and  children.  After  the  white  militia 
belonging  to  the  parish  w^re^  reviewed,  the  fencible  men  of  the 
black  party  drew  up,  impatient  to  (hew  their  martial  ikill.  No 
feoner  did  their  horn  found  the  fignal,  than  they  all  joined  in  a 
moft  hideous  yell,  or  war-hoop,  and  bounded  into  adion.  With 
amazing  agility,  they  literally  ran  and  rolled  through  their  various, 
firings  and  evolutions*  This  part  of  their  exercife^  indeed,  more 
juAly  defefves  to  be  fiyled  evolution  than  any  that  is  pra€liied  by 
the  regular  troops;  for  they  fire  ftoopiijig  almoft  to  the  very  ground; 
and  no  Iboner  is  their  piece  difcharged,  than  they  throw  themfelves 
into  a  thoufand  antic  geftures,  and  tumble  over  and  over,  fo  as  to 
i^e  continually  (hiiting  their  place ;  the  intention  of  which  is,  ta 
elude  the  (hot,  as  well  as  to  deceive  the  aim  of  their  adverfaries, 
whioh  th«ii:  nioxblc  and  almofl:  inftantaneous  change  of  pofitkm 

Mndeta 


BOOK    IL:    CHAP,    XIIL  345^ 

renders  extremely  uncertain.  In  (hort,  throughtrat  thcrr  whole 
manoeuvres,  they  Ikip  about  like  fo  many  monkies  [g].  When. 
this  part  of  their  exercife  was  over/  they  drew  their  (Words;  and^ 
winding  their  horn  again,  they  began,  in  wild  and  warlike  capers, 
to  advance  towards  his  ejccelletu:y,  endeavouring  to  throw  as  much 
favage  fury  into  their  looks  as  poffible.  On  approaching  near  him, 
fome,  with  a  horrid,  circling  ffourifli,  waved  their  rufty  blades 
over  his  head,  then  gently  laid  them  upon  it  j  \vhilft  others  clafticd 
their  arms  together  in  horrid  concert.  They  next  brought  their 
mulkets,  and  piled  them  up  in  heaps  at  his  feet,  which  fome  of 
them  defircd  to  kifs,  and  were  permitted.  By  way  of  cloiing  the 
ceremony,  their  leader,  captain  Cudjoe,  in  the  name  of  all  the  reft, 
flood  forth,  and  addrefled  his  excell'ency  aloud,  defiring  the  comi- 
nuance  of  the  great  king  George's  favour  and  protection  ;  arid  that 
his  excellency,  as  his  vice-gercnt,  would  adminifter  right  and 
juftice  to  tliem,  according  to  the  happy  treaty  and  agreement  fub- 
fifting  between  them  and  the  white  people  of  the  ifland. 

To  this  the  governor  replied,  that  they  might  depend  upon  the 
favour  and  proteftion  of  the  great  king  George ;  and  of  his  own 
coni^ant  endeavours  likewife,  that  right  andjuftlce  ihould  be  always 
done  them  ;  and  alfo,  that  he  would  take  care,  that  the  good  ua- 
derftanding,  then  fo  happily  fubfifting  between  the  white  inhabi* 
tants  and  them,  ihould  inviolably  be  preferved  ^  provided  that  they,, 
on  their  parts,  continued  to  be  always  ^ive  and  ready  in  obeying 
their  commanding  otficer,  and  doing  whatever  elfe  they  had,  in  the 
treaty,  folemnly  promifed  to  perform.  To  this  they  all  aflented  j. 
and  then,  having  a  dinner  ordered  for  them,  and  a  prefent  of  three 
cows,  were  difmiiTed,  and  went  away  perfeftly  well  fatisfied. 

I  have  no  certain  account  of  the  number  of  thefe  Negroes  ia 
their  feveral  towns  at  prefent ;  but  the  following  was  the  ftate  of 
them  in  the  year  1749  [r]. 

[ql  A  bucanier  hldonan  tells  us,  that,  Itaving^  landed  with  a  party  at  Cofla  Rtca,  the  toll  of 
fiiooting  was  fufKciently  compenfated  with  the  pleafure  of  killing  themonkiet  $  for  at  thefe  xhtyi 
ttfually  made  fifteen  or  fixteen  (hot,  before  they  could  kill  three  op  four ;  fo  nimbly  did  they  eludc- 
their  hands  and  aim,  even  after  being  much  wounded :  and  that  it  was  hlgbfitn  tolee  the  ftmalei. 
cany  theirlittle  ones  on  their  backs,  juil  as  the* Negroes  do  their  children, 

[r]  According  to  a  late  return,  the  Negroes  of  Mdore  Town*  atr  increaied  to  two.hundred ;  but- 
the  whole  number  of  fighting  men  does  not  exceed  one  hundred  and  fifty ;  and  the  whole  number 
of  Negioes  ia  all  the  towns  u  not  augmented  much  bepnd  the  abore  lift,  of  the  year  174  9. 

7  Totals.. 


c 

A< 

9 

Men# 

Women. 

Boyt. 

Gtris.t 

XI2 

8i 

40 

^? 

3' 

^5 

13 

16 

loa 

80 

26 

^5 

28 

21 

9 

12 

*73 

211 

88 

9» 

35a  J    A    M    A    I 

Total*. 

276  Trjclawny  Town,  St,  James, 

8  j  Accompong's,  St.  £hzabeth, 

2  J3  Crawford,  or  Charles  Town,  St.  George, 

'70  Nanny,  or  Moore  Town,  I'ortland, 
N.B. 

^    I  **  Furry  s,  m  St.  James,       J 

The  pay  to  thefe  Negroes,  when  they  are  upon  fervice^  is. 

To  each  captain,  ■■  ■  per  day,  026 

Ditto  private,  ■  ■  7! 

This  expence  is  charged  to  the  annual  fund  of  500  L  appropriated 
for  the  ufe  of  parties.  We  may  add  to  this  the  following  eflabli(h« 
xnent,  augmented  fince  1 769  ;  viz* 

To  a  fuperintendant-general,      ■  ■      Currency,  JT    300 

To  three  white  fuperintendants,  at  200  /.  falary  each,  per  am.         600 
To  one  ditto,  of  Trelawny  Town,  300/.  ditto,     —  ■         300 

To  one  ditto,  of  Scot's  Hall,         100/.  ditto,     —     —         100 
To  five  white  refidents,  40  /.  ditto,      —  ■  200 

For  parties  as  above,  brought  down,  —  ■       ■         500 


Total,  per  annum^    ^  2000 
The  expence  of  a  curate,  to  perform  divine  fervice,  baptize, 

&c.  as  propofed,  may  be  put  at  50/.  each,  —  -  ^  .250 
Which  would  be  no  great  addition  to  the  annual  charge.  And  it  is 
not  to  be  forgotten,  that  all  this  money  remains  to  circulate  in  the 
ifland,  and  is  of  advantage  to  the  (hop- keepers,  who  fupply  fhefe 
Negroes  with  (everal  fmall  articles  for  their  cloathing  and  conr 
fiamption. 


END  OF  THE  SECOND  BOOK. 


THE 


[  35^  3 


•    w 


T  H  E       THIRD        BOOK. 

CHAR    I. 
NEGROES. 

IS H  A L L  divide  this  people  into  two  cbffes,  the  native,  or  Cre- 
ole blacks,  and  the  imported,  or  Africans ;  but,  before  I  come  to 
fj)eak  of  thofe  who  inhabit  Jamaica,  I  (ball  beg  to  premife  fome  re- 
marks upon  the  Negroes  in  general  found  on  that  part  of  the  African 
continent,  called  Guiney^  or  Negro-land.  The  particulars  wherein 
they  differ  moft  eflentially  from  the  Whites  are,  firft,  in  refpeft  to  their 
bodies,  viz.  the  dark  membrane  which  communicates  that  black  colour 
to  their  ikins  [a]^  which  docs  not  alter  by  tpanfportation  into  other 

climates^ 

[a]  AnatomUb  iay^  that  this  reticular  memlratUy  which  is  found  bet^*een  the  Efd^ermls  and  the 
flcin,  being  ibaked  in  watex*  for  a  long  time,  does  not  change  its  colour.    Monfieur  Barrere,  who 
appears  to  have  examined  this  circumflance  ivith  pecuhar  attention,   as  well  as  Mr.  Wlnflow, 
fays,  that  the  EfiJermis  itfelf  is  black,  and  that  if  it  has  appeared  white  to  fome  that  have  examined 
it,  it  is  owing  to  its  extreme  finenefs  and  tranfparency ;  but  that  it  is  really  as  dark  as  a  piece  of 
black  horn,  reduced  to  the  fame  gracility*    That  this  colour  of  the  Efidermis^  and  of  the  ikinr, 
t^  caufed  by  the  bile,  which  in  Negroes  is  not  yelk)w,  but  aUvays  as  black  as  ink.    The  bile  ia 
white  men  tinges  their  Ikin  yell<>w ;  and  if  their  bile  waa  black,  it  would  doubtiefs  communicate  the 
fame  black  tint.    Mr.  Barrere  afiinns»  that  the  l^egroe  bile  naturally  fecretes  itfelf  upon  the  Epl*- 
ArmtS^  m  a  quantity  fufiicient  to  impregnate  it  widf  the  dark  colour  for  which  it  is  fo  remarkable. 
Thefe  obfenratioaa  naturally  leadjto  the  further  q^fHpn, «'  why.the  bile  in  Negroes^is  black.^" 

Mr.  Buffon  endeavours  to  refolve  the  former  part  of  this  enquiry,  by  fuppofing  that  the  heat  of 
dimate  is  the  principal  cauie  of  thdr  black  cdouTk  ^  That  ezceffive  cold  and  exceffive  heat  produce 
*'  fimilar  effe^s  on  the  human  body,  and  a6^  on  the  Ikin  by  a  certain  drying  quality,  which  tans  it ; 
**  that  originally  there  was- but  one  fpedes  of<men ;  and  that  difierence'of  cHmate,  of  manner  of 
^  living,  of  food,  of  endemioal  diflempers,  and  the  mixtures  of  individuals,  more  or  left  varied, 
<*  have  produced  the  diflinflions  that  are  now  vifible;  and  that  this  black  colour  of  Negroes,  if  they 
^  were  tranfplanted  into  a^old  climate,  would  gradually  wear  oflfand  disappear  in  the  courie  of  ten 
•*  or  twelve  generations.'* 

But,  to  admit  the  force  of  this  reaibning^  we  mud  fuppoTe  the  world  to  be  much  older  than 
has  been  generally  believed.  The  iEthiopian'  is  probably  not  at  a)P4l<^^^  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^  w^s  in  the 
days  of  Solomon.  The  nations  of  Nicaragua  and  Guatimala,  on  the  American  continent,  who  lie 
imdcr  the  fame  parallel  of  latitude  as  the  inhabitants  of  Guiney,  have  not  acquired  this  black  tin£^urc, 
although  many  more  generations  have  palTed  fmce  they  were  firft  difcovered  by  the  Europeans  than 
Mr.  Bufibn  thinks  fufiicient  for  changing  a  Negroe  from  black  to  white.  How  many  centuries  nruft 
have  revolved  before  that  continent  was  difcovered,  may  be  imagined  from  the  populous  ftate  of  it 
in  the  days  of  Americus  Vefpucius,  and  the  prodigious  length  of  time  required  for  a  nation  or  large 
iiKicty  of  men  to  grow  up,  become  powerful,  warlike,  and  tolerably  civilized,  as  the  Mexicans . 

were] 


3J*  J    A    M.    A    I    C    A. 

-climates,  and  which  they  never  lofe,  except  by  fiich  difeafes,  or  cafu- 
alties,  as  deftroy  the  texture  of  it  i  for  example,  the  leprofy^  and  ac« 
cidents  of  burning  or  fcalding.  Negroes  have  been  introduced  into  the 
North  American  colonics  nc**  1 50  years.  The  v^rinters,  efpecially  at 
New  York  and  New  England,  are  more  fevere  than  in  Europe*  Yet 
the  Blacks  born  here/  to  the  third  and  fourth  generation,  are  not  at  all 
difierent  in  colour  from  tfaofe  Negroes  who  are  brought  tliteflly  from 
Africa ;  whence  it  may  be  concluded  very  properly,  that  Negroes,  or 
their  pofterity,  do  not  change  colour,  though  they  continue  ever  £0 
long  in  a  cold  climate. 

Secondly,  A  covering  of  wool,  like  the  beftial  fleece^  inUead  of 
hair. 

Thirdly,  The  roundaefs  df  their  eyes,  the  figure  of  their  ears,  tu« 
mid  noftrils,  flat  no£es,  invariable  thick  lips,  and  general  large  fize  of 
the  female  nipples,  as  if  adapted  by  nature  to  the  peculiar  conformation 
of  their  childrens  mouths. 

'  Fourthly,  The  black  colour  of  the  Uce  which  infeft  their  bodies^ 
This  peculiar  circumflance  I  do  not  remember  to  have  ieen  noticed 
by  any  naturalift  ;  they  refemble  the  white  lice  in  (hape,  but  in  ge- 
neral are  of  larger  fize«  It  is  known,  that  there  is  a  very  great  va^ 
liety  of  thefe  infe£ls  1  and  fome  fay,  that  almoft  all  animals  have  tbdr 
peculiar  fort. 

Fifthly,  Their  beftial  or  fetid  fmell,  which  they  all  have  in  a 
greater  or  lefs  dc^gree ;  the  Congo's,  Arada's,  Quaqua's,  and  Angola's^ 

were !  Further,  it  thm  change  it  fuppoied  by  Mr.  Buftn  to  be  gradiialt  fome  proof  of  it  would 
doubtkli  appear  in  fh6  courfe  of  one  or  two  centuries.  But  we  do  not  find»  that  the  pofierity  of 
thofe  Europeans,  who  fixA  ftctkd  in  the  hottefi  pans  of  the  Weft  Indies,  are  tending  towards  this 
black  Gooip|aioOft  or  are  more  tawi^  than  an  Eog^iihman  might  become  by  refiding  five  or  fix 
years  inSpain,  and  exgofing  himfelf  to  the  fun  and  air  during  his  reiidence.  It  would  Ukewife 
happen,  that  the  progeny  of  Negroea  brought  fifom  Guiney  two  hundred  yean  ago,  and  tranl^ 
planted  into  a  colder  climate^  would  be  comparatively  lefs  black  than  the  natives  of  that  part  of 
Africa,  from  whence  their  progenitors  were  removed ;  but  no  foch  tikSt  has  been  obferved.  And 
]a(l1y>  the  whole  fabric  of  Mr^^&n's  hypothefis  is  fubverted  at  once,  by  the  mc&  of  Jilbinoes^ 
in  the  very  heart  of  Guincj ;  who,  although  fubje^  to  the  fame  intenie  heat  of  climate^  which, 
he  fays,  has  caufed  the  black  colour  of  Negroes,  are  unaccountably  exempted  from  the  influence 
of  tlus  cauie,  though  ecjually  expoied  to  it.  Without  puawling  our  wits,  to  difcover  the  occult 
caufes  of  this'diverfity  of  colour  among  mankind,  let  us  be  content  with  acknowledging,  that 
it  vras  jud  as  eaiy  for  Omnipotence  to  create  black-fkinned,  as  whix-ikinned  men ;  or  to  cmtc 
five  millions  of  human  beings,  as  to  create  one  fuch  being* 

particidarljT 


.J 


BOOK   III.  ;CHAI^.    Ii  353^ 

particularly  the  latter,  who  arc  like  wife  the  mod  ftupid  of  the  Negroc 
race,  are  the  moft  offenfive;  and  tbofe  of  Senegal  (who  are  diflinguiflied 
from  the  other  herds  by  greater  acutenefs  of  underftanding  and  mild- 
nefs  of  difpofition)  have  the  Icaft  of  ;his  noxious  odour. 

This  fcent  in  fomc  of  them  is  fo,  exceffively  ftrong,  efppcially  wb^ 
their  bodies  are  warmed  either  by  excrcife  or  anger,  that  it  continues 
in  places  where  they  have  been  near  a  quarter  of  an  hour. 

I  (hall  next  confider  their  difparity,  in  regard  to  the  faculties  of  the 
mind.     Under  this  head  we  are  to  obferve>  that  they  remain  at  this 
time  in  the  faine  rude  fituation  in  which  tbey  were  fpund  two  thoufand 
"years  ago. 

In  general,  they  are  void  of  gpnius,  and  feem  almoft  incapable  pf 
making  any  progrefs  in  civility  or  faience,  They  have  no  plan  or 
fyftem  of  morality  among  them.  Their  barbarity  to  their  childferi 
debafes  their  nature  even  belovf  that  of  brutesf.  They  have  no  moral 
fenfations ;  np  tafte  but  for  womeo ;  gorniondizing,  and  drinking  to 
excefs;  no  wi(h  but  to  be  idle,  Th^ir  children,  from  their  tendered 
years,  are  fuffcred  to  deliver  tbemfclves.  up  t?  alt  that  nature  fqggefts 
to  them.  Tlieir  houfes  are  miferable  cabbing..  They  conceiveuo  plea- 
fure  from  the  moft  beautiful  parts  of  their  country,  preferring  the 
more  fterile.  Their  roads,  as  they*  call  them,  are  mere  (heep-path?, 
twice  as  long  as  they  need  be,  and  aln^oft  impaflabl^..  :  Their  country 
in  moft  parts  is  one  continued  wildernefs,  befet  with  briars  and  thorns. 
They  ufe  neither  carriages,  nor  beafts  of  burthen.  They  are  reprcr 
iented  by  all  authors  as  the  vileft  of  the  human  kind,  to  which  they 
have  little  more  pretenfion  of  refemblance  than  wha*:arifes  front  tbciir 
exterior  form. 

In  fo  vaft  a  continent  as  that  of  Afric,  and  in  fo  great  21  variety 
of  climates  and  provinces,  we  might  expeft  tofinda  propprtionabk 
diveriity  among  the  inhabitants,  in*  regard  to  their  qualifications  of 
body  and  mind;  ftrength,  agility,  induftry,  s^nd  dexterity!*  on  tlic 
one  hand  ;  ingenuity,  learning,  art^,  and  fciences,  on  the  other.  Buti 
on  the  contrary,  a^  general  uniformity  yynp  through  all  tbefe.  various 
regions  of  people  ;j  fo  that,  if  any  ^ifJqrenccbe  fouii^f  it  is  only; in 
degrees  of  the  feme  qualities  5  and,  what  J^  xijorc.  ftrange,  thofe  of 
the  worft  kindi  it  being  a  oomoipn  knowft^j:<3^v«rb,  that  all  people 
on  the  globe  have  foipe^gpod  as  well  ??,  ill  qualities,  .except  tha 
Vol.  II.  Z  r  Africans. 


:  ^54  JAMAICA. 

Africans.     Whatever  great  perfonagcs  this  country  might  anciently 
•  have  produced,  and  concerning  whom  we  have  no  mformation,  they 
-«re  now  every  where  degenerated  into  a  bruttfh,  ignorant,  idle,  crafty, 
treacherous,  bloody,  thievifh,  miftruftful,  and  fuperftitious  people, 
even  in  thofe  ftates    where  we  might  expcft    to  find   them  more 
polifhed,  humane,  docile,  and  induflrious.      It  is  doubtful,  whether 
we  ought  to  afcribe  My  fupcrior  qualities  to  the  more  ancient  Afri- 
cans ;  for  we  find  them  reprefented  by  the  Greek  and  Roman  authors 
under  the  moft  odious  and  defpicable  charaftcr ;  as  proud,  lazy,  de- 
ceitful, thicvifli,  addided  to  all  kinds  *of  luft,  and  ready  to  promote 
them  in  others,  incefiuous,   favage,  cruel,  and  vindidive,'  devourers 
ef  human  fie(b,.  and  ouafiers  of  human  blood,  inconfiant,  bafe,  'and 
cowardly,  devoted  to  all  forts  of  fuperfilcion ;  and,  in  fliort,  to  every 
vice  that  came 'in  their  way,  or  within  their  reach, 
•    For  the  honour  of  human  nature  It  were  to  be  wifhed,  tliat  thefc 
defcnptions  could  With  juftice  be  accufed  of  exaggeration*;  but,  in  re- 
fpeft  to  the  modern  Africans,  we  find  the  charge  corroborated,  and 
fupported  by  a  confifient  teftiniony  of  fo  ftiany  men  of  difiereht  na* 
lions,  who  have  vifited  the  coaft,  that  it  is  difficult  to  believe  they  have 
all  beeii'  guilty  of  mifrcfprefen ting  thefe  people ;   more  eipecially,  as 
ftiiey  tally  exadly  with  the  charafter  of  the  Africansthat  arp  brought 
into  our  plantations.     This  brutality  fomewhat  diminifhes,   when 
they  are  imported  young,  after  they  become  habituated  to  cloathing 
and  a  regular  diflipline  of  life ;   but  many  are  never  reclaimed,  and 
continue  favages,.  in  every  fenfe  of  the  word,  to  their  hteift  period* 
We  find  them  marked  with  the  fame  befiialmannefs,  fiiipidity,  and 
vices,,  which  debafc  their  brethren  on  the  continent,  who  feem  to,  be 
diftinguHbed  from  the  reft  of  mankind,,  not  in  perfon  only,*^  but  m 
poffeffing,  in  abftraft,  every  fpeeies  of  inherent  turpitude  that  is  to  be 
found  di%rfed  at  large  among  the  reft  of  the  human  creation,  with- 
Icarce  a  fingle  virtue  to  extenuate  this  (hade  of  charafier,  "differing  in^ 
this  particular  from  all  other  men  ;  for,  in  other  countries,  the  moft 
abandoned  villain  we  ever  heard  of  ha*  rtpHy,  if  evcty  been' known- 
nbportfoned^  with  fome'  one  go«d  quality  at  leaft,  in '  his  conipofition. . 
It  is  afionifiu^t  that>; 'akhough  they  have  been  acqniinted  with  £u- 
copeans;  amii  their  maniifadures,  for  fo  thahy  *hui!idred  years^  they 
bave,  in  all  this  ieries  of  tiitie,.>mani&ftedfo  little  tafte  for  arts,  or  a 

genius 


BOOK  IIL'   CHAP.  I.  355 

genius^  cither  inventive  or  Imitative.  Among,  fo  great  a  number  of 
provinces  on  this  extenii^ee  continent^  and  anxong  fo  many.  miUIonSr 
o(  people.  We  have^heard  but  of  one  or  two  infignificant  tribes,  who 
comprehend  any  thing  of  mechanic  arts,  or  manufaiflure  ;  and  even^ 
thefe,  for  the  moft  part,  are  faid  to  perform  .  their  work  in  a  veryi 
bungling  and  flovenly  manner,  perhaps  not- better. .than  an  .oran^i 
outang  might,  with  a  little  pains,  be  brought  to  dOk       . 

The'Chineie,  th^  Mexicans^  tlie  Northeru'ilndians,.  are  all*  cejc?^ 
bratedj  fome  fot  their  expert  imitatioai.of  any  pattern  laid  beforft; 
them  ;  others  for  their  fal^ulty  of  invention  j  and  the  reft  for  the  in?! 
genuity  of  their  fevera^  fabrics,    .  There  was  not  a  tribe  of  thefe  In  ra- 
dians, from  the  Mexican  to  the  Caribbean,  that:;w3$.not  found; toi  pof^i 
fefs  lliany  amiable  eittk>wifients.    In  the  hottefL  region  of  South  Ame- 
rica  the  natives  .wer^efiemW^t^  le^  robu(L«  and ^courageb^Sj than  ^^) 
Northern  inhabitants ;  but  none  of  than  addi£i:ed  to  the  brutal  prac«' 
tices  common  to  the  Negrbcs^  lying  under  the  fame  parallel  of  clir  ? 
mate;  on  the  contrary,  .thele  Indians  are  reprpfented  as  a  docile^  in**, 
ofifenfive,  iagaciousi  and  ingenious  peopl^;      The  Northern  Indians,/ 
wc-  know,  have,  dverifihcer  tiheyi  came  to  the  knawkdge  of  Europeausy 
difplayed  an  elevation  of  foul,  which  would:  do  honour  to  <hc  ntioft  • 
civilized  nations.    It  muft  be  agreed^  (fays  CharlrooixJ  that  the  nearer 
we  view  them,  the  more  good  qualities  we  difcqver  in  them  ;  moft  of  ^ 
the  principles,  which  feera  to  regulate  their  conduct,  the  general  max*  . 
ims  by  which  they  goVera^themfclves^.  and  the  efleritial  part  of  their 
character,  difclofe-  nothing  of  the  barbarian*    . 

The  Negfws  feem  to  conform  neareft  in  fchar^dler   to  the  JEgyp-*. 
tians,  in  whofe  government,  fays  the  leamed  Ooguet,  there  reigned  a 
multitude  of  abufes,  and  eflential  defedb;  iuthorized  by. the  laws,  and 
by  their  fundamental  principles.     As  to  Hheir  cuftoms  and  manners, 
indecency  and  debauchery  were  carried  to  the  moft  extravagant  height, 
in  all  their  public  feafts,  and  religious  ceremonies ;  neither  was  their 
morality  pure.     It  offended  againft  the  fir  ft  rules  of.reditude  and  . 
probity  i  they  lay  under  thehigheft  cenfure  for  .covetoufnefs,  perfidy, 
cunning,  and  roguery.     They  were  a  people  without  tafte,  without . 
genius,  or  difcemment ;  who.  had  only  ideas  of  grandeur,  ill  under-: 
flood :  knavi(h>  crafty,  foft,  lary,  oowardly,  and.fcryile,  fuperftitious  . 
in  excelsi  and  ^xtravagandy.  |)efbcted  with  an  abfurd  ^.and.monftrous  1 

Z  z  2  theology ; 


356  JAMAICA. 

theology  ;'Hvithoiit  artyfliill  in  eloquence,  poetry,  mufi<:,  arcbtte6kure, 
fciilptiire,  or  painting,  navigatu3n,  commerce,  or  the  art  miltCary. 
Their  intelkft  rifing  to  but  a  very  confu&d  nottoii,  and  imperfed  idea, 
of  the  general  obje£)s  of  human  knowledge.  But  he  allow^^  that  they 
invented  fomie  arts,  and  fome  fciences  ;  that  they  had  (bme  little  know- 
ledge of  agronomy 9  geography,  and  the  mathematics ;  that  they  bad 
fome  few  good  civil  laws  and  political  conftituttons  5  were  induflrious 
enough  adepts  in  judicial  aArology ;  though  their,  ikill  in  iculpture, 
and  architecture,  rofe  not  above  a  flat  mediocrity.  In  thefe  acquiii- 
tlons,  "however  imperfeft^  they  appear  far  fuperior  to  the  Negroes,  who, 
perhaps,  in  their  turn,  as  far  tranfcend  the  Egyptians  in  the  fuperlative 
pcrfeftion  of  their  worft  qualities. 

'  When  we  reflect  on  the  nature  of>  theie  tn^ny  aad  their  diffimil«ity 
to  the  reft  of  mankind,  muft  we  not  cojiclude,  that  they  are  a  difierent 
fpecies  of  ihe  (sme  genus  ?  Of  other  animals,  it  is  weH  known,  there 
are  many  kinds,  each  kind  having  its  proper  fpecies  fubordinate  thereto ; 
and  why  ihall  we  iniift,  that  man  alone,  of  all  oth^r  animals,  is  undi* 
v^rfified  in  the  fame  manner,  when  we  find  fe  .many  irrefiilible  proo& 
which  denote  his  coirformity  to  the  general  iyftem  of  the  world  ?  In 
this  fyflem  we  perceive  a  regular  order  and  gradation,  from  inanimate 
to  animated  matter ;  and  pertain  links,  which  conned  the  feveral  genera 
one  with  another ;  and,  tinder  thefe  genera^  we  find  another  gnhlatioa 
of  fpecies,  comprehending,  a  vaft  variety,  and,  in  fome  clafles,  widely 
differing  from  each  other  in  certain  qualities.     We  afcend  from  mere 
inert  matter  into  the  animal  atid  vegetable  kingdoms^by  an  almoft  im-^ 
perceptible  deviation ;  and  thefe  two  are  again  nearly  connected  by  a 
very  palpable  fimilitude ;  fo  that,  where  the  one  ends,  the  other  fcems 
to  begin.     When  we  proceed  to  divide  and  fubdivide  the  various  claf* 
fes  of  animals,  we  perceive  ^e  fame  exafl:  fubordination  and  clofe  alii-* 
nity  between  the  two  extremes  combining  all  together  in  a  wonderful 
and  beautiful  harmony,  the  refalt  of  infinite  wifdom  and  contrivance. 
If,  amidft  the  immenfe  variety  of  all  animate  beings  which  people  the 
univerfe,  fome  animal,  for  example,  the  body  of  a  man,  be  feleded 
to  ferve  as  a  criterion,  with  which  all  the  other  organized  beings  are 
to  be  compared ;  it  will  be  found,  that,  although  all  theie  beings  exift 
abftradtedly,  and  all  vary  by  differences  infinitely  graduated,  yet,  at  the 
fame  time,  there  appears  a  primitive  and  general  defign,  or  model,  that 

may 


BOOK    III.    C  H  A  P.    I.  357 

may  be  very  plainly  traced,  and  of  which  the  degradations  are  much- 
flower  than  thofe  of  (hape,  figure,  an^  other  external  appearances. 
For,  befides  the  organs  of  digeftion,  circulation,  and  generation,  be- 
longing to  all  animals,  and  without  which  the  animal  muft  ceafe  to 
be  an  animal,  as  it  could  neither  fabiift,  nor  propagate  its  fpecies ; 
Acre  is,  even  in  the  parts  which  principally  contribute  to  the  variety 
of  exterior  forms,  a  prodigious  refemblance,  which  neceflarily  reminds 
HIS  of  an  original  model,  after  which  every   thing  feems  to  have 
been  worked.      The  body  of  a  horfc,  for  rnftance,  which,  at  firft 
fight,  feems  fo  difierent  from  that  of  a  man,  when  properly  compared 
part  by  part,  inflead  of  furprizing  us  by  the  difference,  fills  us  with* 
aftonifhment  at  the  fingular  and  almoft  complete  refemblance  we  find 
between  them ;  for,  take  the  fkeleton  of  a  man,  incline  the  bones  of 
the  pelvis^  (horten  the  bones  of  the  thighs,  legs,  and  arms,  lengthen 
thofe  of  the  feet  and  hands,  conned  the  phalanges,  extend  the  jaws, 
ihorten  the  frontal  bone,  and,  kiflly,  lengthen  the  fpine ;  this  fkeleton, 
inflead  of  refembling  any  longer  the  remains  of  a  man,  will  be  the  fke* 
kton  of  a  hor(c«     It  may  be  eafily  fuppofed,  that,  by  lengthening  the 
fpine  and  the  jaws,  the  number  of  the  vertebra^  the  ribs  and  teeth  are 
increafed  at  the  fame  time ;  and  it  is  only  in  the  number  of  thefe  bones, 
which  may  be  confidered  as  neceflbry,  and  the  protrading,  fhorten-> 
'•^g*  ^^  junftion  of  the  others,  that  the  fkeleton  of  the  body  of  this 
annual  differs  from  that  of  the  human  body.     But>  to  carry  thefe  re^ 
femblances  ftill  further,  let  us  feparately  confider  fome  parts  eflential 
to  the  figure ;  the  ribs,  for  infiance,  which  will  be  found  in  man,  in 
all  the  quadrupeds,  in  birds,  fifhes,  and  even  the  vefiiges  of  them, 
may  be  traced  to  the  very  tortoife,  where  a  delineation  of  them  plainly 
appears  in  the  futures  under  the  fhell.     I^et  italfb  be  confidered,  that 
the  foot  of  a  horfe,  though  in  appearance  fo  diflferent  from  the  hand  of 
a  man,  is  yet  compofed  of  fimilar  bones ;  and  that,  at  the  extremitv 
of  each  of  our  fingers,  there  is  the  fame  horfe-fhoe  fhaped  little  bone, 
which  terminates  the  foot  of  that  animal ;  let  it  then  be  decided,  whe- 
ther this  latent  refemblance  be  not  more  aftonifhing  than  the  vifiblc 
diHerences ;  whether  this  confiant  conformity,  and  continuing  model, 
followed  from  man  to  quadrupeds  ;  from  quadrupeds  to  the  cetaceous 
fpecies  ;  from  them  to  birds ;  from  birds  to  reptiles  j  from  reptiles  to 
fiih,  Gfr.  in  which  are  always  found  the  eflential  parts,  as  the  heart, 
2  inteflines^^ 


358  J    A    M    A    I    C    A* 

inteftines^  the  fpine,  the  fenfesy  &c.  do  not  ieem  to  indicate,  that. the 

Supreme  Being,  at  the  creation  of  animals,  intended  to  make  ufe  of 

one  model ;  varying  it,  at  the  iaqic  time,  in  every  poffible  manner^ 

'  that  man  might  equally  admire  the  fimplicity  of  the  plan,  and  the  mag-i 

.  nificence  of  the  execution  [^]. 

When  we  come  to  examine  the  exterior  figures  of  any  particular 
.clals  of  animals,  we  find  them  marked  with  a  moft  remarkable  vari- 
t  jety.  To  inftance,  for  example,  the  dog  kind,  whp  have  fume  of  them 
'  fo  near  an  affinity  to  the  wolf  and  fox  ;  there  is  more  difference  be- 
tween  the  maftiflf  and  lap-dog,  than  between  ihe  horfe  and  the  afs ; 
.  and  what  two  animils  can  be  more  unlike,  than  the  little  black ^Gui» 
>  ney  dog,  of  a  fmooth  Ikin,  without  a  fingle  hair  upon  it,  and  the  rough 
fhock  dog  ?  From  thcfe  let  us  pafs  on  to  the  monkey •  kind,  or  antbro* 
pomorpbitSy  fo  called  by  naturalifts,  bccaufe  they  partake  more  or  lefs 
of  the  human  fhape  and  difpofition ;  we  here  obfcrve.  the.  palpable 
link  which  unites  the  human  race  with  the  quadruped,  not  in  exterior 
form  alone,  but  in  the  intelleftual  quality.  The  variety  of  them  is  fb 
great,  that  a  complete  catalogue  has  never  yet  becn.made^,  Coniamlne^ 
who  traveled  through  the  country  of  the  Amazons,  faw  fo  many, 
that  he  affirms,  it  would  take  up  fome  length  of  time  to  write  out  a 
M  of  their  names.  As  far  however  as  they  are  yet  defcribed,  we 
trace  them  from  the  cynocephalus,  which  moft  refembles  quadrupeds 
in  the  (hape  of  its  head,  through  a  variety  of  the  ape  kind,  which 
have  tails  and  pouches,  to  thofe  which  have  (horter  tails,  and  fome- 
what  more  of  the  human  vifage  ;  to  thofe  which  have  no  tails,  who 
have  a  callous  breech,  whole  feet  fcrve  occafionally  for  hands,  which 
conftitute  them  of  the  order  oi  quadrumains^  or  four-handed  animals, 
and  who  more  commonly  move  on  all -four  than  ereft,  to  tljc  cepbus^ 
or  gibbon^  of  Buflfon  ;  from  thefe  we  come  to  the  oran-outang  fpecies, 
who  have  fome  trivial  referablance  to  the  ape-kind,  but  the  flrongeft 
fimilitude  to  mankind,  in  countenance,  figure,  feature,  organs,  txt€t 
pofture,  actions  or  movements,  food,  temper,  and  manner  of  living. 

The  few  which  have  been  brought  into  Europe,  being  extremely 
youhg,  were,  from  a  popular  error,  denominated  pigmies  j  for  it  is 
affirmed  on  every  authority,  that  they  grow  to  the  ordinary  fize  of 

[Ij  lluiEso. 


man. 


BOOK  III.    OH  A  P.  L  359 

man*  Mr.  Biiffbn,  who  has  examined  this  curious  fubjeft  with  great 
attention,  dcfcribes  them  thus ;  "  The  oran-outang  has  no  pouch,  tail, 
nor  callofity,  on  his  hind  parts ;  thefe  parts,  m\d  the  calves  of  his  legs, 
are  phimp  and  flcfliy,  diflfering  intirely  from  the  ape  and  monkey.  All 
his  teeth  are  the  fame  as  the  human,  his  face  is  broad,  naked,  and  taw« 
ney,  his  ears,  hands,  feet,  breaft,  and  belly,  are  like  wife  without 
hair,  and  of  the  fame  tawney  complexion  ;  the  hair  of  his  head  is  like 
that  of  a  man,  and  dcfcends  in  a  /orelock  on  each  temple  ;  the  hair  oh 
his  back  and  loins  is  thin,  and  in  fmall  quantity  ;  he  grows  from  ^o;^ 
to  fix  feet  in  height." 

The  nofe  is  ilat,  the  breaft  of  the  females  furnifhed  with  two  paps, 
and  they  are  fubjeft  to  the  periodical  flux.  The  latter  charafteriftic, 
which  is  common  aifo  to  the  monkey- clafs,  was  not  unoWerved  by 
the  ancient  iEgyptians,  who  drew  a  -fingular  advantage  from  it  in  ^ 
their  aftrouomical  rcgifters  ;  for  they  kept  the  cynocephalusi  and  other 
inonkies,  in  their  temples,. in  order  to  know,  with  tolerable  certainty,  - 
by  this  means,  the  periodical  conjunftion^  of  the  fun  and  moon. 

Lewis  le  Compte^  in  his  Memoirs  of  China,  afferts,  that  in  the 
fkraits  of  Molucca  he  fawfome  oi  four  feet  An  height,  that  walked  ^ 
ereft,  and  had  faces  fliaped  like  thofe  of  the  Hottentots  at  the  Cape* 
They  made  a  noife  like  a  young  child ;  their  paffions  appeared  with  * 
a  lively  exprefEon  in  their  countenances ;  they  feemed  to  be  of  a  ten- 
der dffpo^on,   and  would  kifs  and  embrace  thofe  they  were  fond  of. 
Doftor  Ty fon,  giving  an  account  of  a  young  male  brought  from  An-  - 
gok  (afterwards  differed),  obferves^  that  he  poflefled  the  like  tender- 
iiefs   of  difpofition  towards  the    faildrs"  on  board  (hip.     He    would  i 
not  aflbciate  with  the  monk les  brought  in  the  fanie  fliip,  but  flifthned  ^ 
their  cdmpiariy.     He  ufed  to  put  on  his  own  cloaths  ;    or;  at  kaft,  . 
whenever' he  found  a  difficulty  in  managing  any  part  of  his  drefs,  he  - 
would  take  It-  in  his  hand  to  fome  of  the  company,  fignjfying  (a§  it-- 
were)  his  defire  that  they  (hould  help  him. 

Mr.  Noel!  fpeaks  of  apes,  which  he  Taw  m  Guin'ey,'  and  calls  harris  • 
(which  Mr^BufFoh  takes  to  be  a  fynonym  of  the  orangoutang),  who  ^ 
walked ^reft,  and  had  more  gravity,  and  appearance  of  underflahd-  - 
ing,  thaa.aaj&  other  o£  the  ape  kind,  and  were  paffionatcly  fond  of  ; 
womem 

]^  Lmnasus^  . 


^  ^ 


1 


^^60  J     A     M     A     I    C     A. 

Linnasus,  upon  the  authority  of  fomc  voyage- writew,  affirms,  that 
Jthey  converfe  together  in  a  kind  of  hiffing  dialed  ;  that  they  poflefs 
thought  and  reflexion,  and  believe  the  world  was  made  for  them, 
&c.  but  Mr.  Buffbn,  with  good  reafon,  fufpeds  that  Linnasus  has 
confounded  the  albinoe  with  the  oran-outang. 

The  oran-outangs  are  faid  to  make  a  kind  of  huts,  compofed  of 
l)oughs  interlaced,  which  ferve  to  guard  them  from  the  top  great  heat  of 
the  fun  \c\. 

It  is  alfo  averred,  that  they  fometimes  (endeavour  to  furprize  and 
carry  off  Negroe  women  into  their  woody  retreats,  in  order  to  enjoy 
tbem« 

Moniieur  la  Brofle  fays,  he  knew  a  Negrefs  at  Loangs  in  Guiney, 
who  had  refided  three  year 9  with  them ;  he  ailerts  that  they  grow  to 
the  height  of  ^at  to /even  feet,  have  vail  mufcular  ftrength,  and  de- 
fend themfelves  with  fiicks.     He  bought  two  young  ones,  a  male  of 
fourteen  months,  and  a  female  of  twelve.  They  fat  at  table,  ate  of  every 
thing  without  diilin6lion,  handled  the  knife  and  fork,  and  helped 
themfelvesj  drank  wine,  and  other  liquors ;  made  themfelves  under- 
;fiood  by  the  cabbin  boy,  when  they  wanted  any  thing,  and,  upon  the 
boy's  refufal  to  give  them  what  they  feemcd  to  delire,  they  (hewed 
iymptoms  of  violent  anger  and  difguft.     The  male  falling  lick,  was 
twice  blooded  in  the  right  arm,  which  relieved  him ;  and  afterwards, 
whenever  he.  found  himfelf  indifpofed,  he  pointed  to  his  arm,  as  if  he 
l^new  what  had  done  him  good  in  his  former  illnefs.     I  mn&  own, 
this  account  contains  fome  particulars  very  extraordinary ;  for  a  child 
oi  the  fame  age,  in  England,  would  be  regarded  as  wonderfully  for- 
ward, if  it  /hould  exhibit  the  like  proofs  of  fagacity.     But,  if  we 
allow  to  thefe  oran-outangs  a  degree  of  intelleft  not  ref1;ri£ted  wholly 
to  indinf^,  but  approaching^  like  the  frame  of  their  organs,  to  an  af* 
iinity  with  the  human,  we  may  eflablifh  the  credibility  of  this  rela- 
tion, by  fuppofing  that  like,  the  human  inhabitants  of  Guiney,  they 
arrive  three  or  four  years   earlier  at  the  age  of  puberty,  or  matu* 
rlty,  than  the  inhabitants  of  Northern  climates:   and  cpnfequently 
ihat  their  faculties,  in  general,  blofibm  and  expand  proportionably 
earlier. 

M  Jobfon. 

.     Mr. 


BOOfc   m.    CHAP.    I.  561. 

♦  •  .  .  .  , 

Mr.  Groffe  reports,  that  two  young  ones,  fcarcely  tw6  feet  high 
(probably  under  two  years  of  age),  which  he  prefented  to  the  governor 
of  Bombay,  refembled  mankind  m  all  their  adions.  If  they  were 
gazed  at  when  in  bed,  they  covered  with  their  hands  thofe  parts  which 
modefty  forbids  to  expofe.  They  appeared  dejeded  under  their  cap- 
tivity ;  and  the  female  dying  on  board  fliip,  her  comrade  exhibited 
every  token  of  heart-felt  affli£iion,  rejeded  his  food,  and  did  not  fur- 
vive  her  above  two  days, 

Guat,  fpeaking  of  a  female  which  he  faw  at  Java,  fays,  her  fta* 
ture  was -r^^ry  large^\  that  (he  refembled  ftrongly  feme  Hottentot  wo- 
inen  he  had  feen  at  the  Cape ;  that  Ihc  inade  her  o\^n  bed  every  day 
very  properly,  laidhfrr  head  on  the  pillow,  and  covered  herfelf  with 
the  quilt.  When  fhe  had  a  pain  in  her  head,  ihe  bound  it  with  .a 
handkerchief. — Several  bther  particulars,  he  (ays,  might  be  enumerated, 
that  were  very  lingular ;  but  he  fufpfefted  that  thefe  animals  arc  often 
brought,  by  a  habit  of  inftruftion,  to  do  many  of  thole  feats.  Which 
the  vulgar  regard  as  natural ;  this,  however,  he  only  gives  as  a  matter 
or  conjefture. 

Gemelli  Careri  aflferts  to  have  feen  one  that  cried  like  an  infant, 
and  carried  a  mat  in  its  arms,  which  it  occafionally  laid  down  and 
repofed  upon.  Thefe  apes,  fays  he,  feem  to  have  more  fenle  than 
fome  among  mankind;  for,  when  they  are  unable  to  find  xky  fruits 
in  the  mountains  for  their  fubfiftence,  they  come  down  to  the  fea 
fhore,  where  they  citch  crabs,  lobfters,  and  fuch  like.  A  fpecies  of 
oyfter,  called  taclovo^  frequently  lie  on  the  beach.  The  apes,  on  per- 
ceiving any  of  them  gaping,  chuck  a  ftone  between  the  Ihells,  which? 
hinders  them  from  doling,  and  then  proceed  to  devour  them  without 
any  apprchenlion. 

Francis  Pyrafd  reports,  he  found  the  barris  in  the  province  of  Sierra 
Leont  in  Guiney ;  that  they  are  corpulent  and  mufcular,  and  fo  docile, 
that;  if  properly  inftrufted  while  they  are  young,  they  become  very, 
good  fervants. 

Father  Jarric  fpeaks  of  them  in  the .  fame  terms ;  and  the  tefti* 
mony  of  Schoutten  agrees  with  Pyrardon  the  fubjed  of  the  education 
of  thefe  amimals ;  he  fays,  they  are  taken  with  nets,  that  they  walk 
ered,  and  can  ufe  their  feet  occafionally  as  hands,  in  performing  cer- 
tain domeftic  fervices,  as  rlnfeing  of  glafies,  prefenting  them  to  drink, 
Vol  JL  A  a  a    .  turning 


3^2  JAM    A  rl    C    A. 

turning  fpks,  and^  the  like.  Thefe  and  other  examples  are  quoted 
by  Mr.  BufiR)ni  who  confiders  thefe  animals,  fpoken  of  by  voyagers 
under  diflTereht  appellations,  to  be  only  varieties  of  the  i3ran-outang  ; 
and  in  this  light  he  mentions  the  jocko,  which  he  faw,publickly  (hewn 
at  Paris.  This  animal  always  walked  in  an  ercd  pofture  ;  his  car- 
riage was  rather  aukward,  his  air  dejeded,  his  pace  grave,  and  move- 
ments fedate ;  he  had  npthing  of  the  impatience,  caprice,  and  mifchief 
of  the  baboon,  nor  extravagancies  of  the  monkey  ;  he  was  ever  ready 
and  quick  of  apprehenfion ;  a  fign  or  a  word  was  fufficient  to  make 
him  do  what  the  baboon  and  others  would  not  without  ^ the  com- 
'  pulfion  of  the  cudgel  or  whip.  He  prefented  his  hand  to  re-conduft 
the  perfons  who  came  to  vifit  hUn,  and  ftalked  w)th  a  (lately  gait 
before  them.  He  fat  at  table,  unfolded  his  napkin,  wiped  his  lips, 
helped  himfelf,  and  conveyed  the  viduals  to  his  mouth  with  the  fpoon 
and  fork;  poured  the  drink  into  a  glafs^  brought  the  tea-things  to 
the  table,  put  in  the  fugar,  pqured  out  the  tea,  let  it  ftand  till  it  was 
cool  enough  for  drinking,  and  all  this  with  no  other  in^igation.  than  a 
fign  or  word  from  his  mafter,  and  often  of  his  own  free  accord ;  he 
was  of  a  courteous^  tender  difpofition  ;  he  fpent  the  fummer  at  Paris, 
and  died  the  following  winter  at  London,  of  a  cough  and  confump* 
tion.  He  ate  of  every  food  indifierently,  except  that  he  feemed  to 
prefer  confedionary,  ripe  and  dried  -  fry^its,  and  drank  wme  in  mode-* 

ration. 

This  creature  was  about  2  J  feet  tall,  and,  according  tp  the  tefti- 

mony  of  the  perfon  who  brought  him  to  Europe^  not  above  two  years 

old ;  Mr.  Buffon,  therefore^  imagines  that  at  his  full  iiature  he  would 

have  attained  above  five  feet,  fuppofing  his  growth  proportioned  to 

that  of  mankind. 

The  pigmy  defcribed^  and  di(ic6led,  by  Dr.  Tyfpij,  was  nojt  Wre 
than  two  feet  in  height,  ai>d  ftill  younger,  or  under  two  years  old> 
for  his  teeth  and  fome  other  o(fifications  were  not  entirely  forxnf  d. 

The  eflfential  differences  between  the  body  of  the  oran-outang  and 
that  of  a  man,  are  reduced  by  Mr.  Bufipn  to  two,  namely,  thie  con- 
formation  of  the  cs  ilium^  and  that  of  the  feet ;  the.  bone.oi^  the  ilium 
is  more  clefe  or  coti traded  th&n  in  man.  PJc  has  calves^. ajid  flc(hy 
pofteriors,  which  indicate  that  he  is  deftined  to: walk  ered  ;  but  his  toes 
are  very  long,  and  the  heel  pref|ed  with  difficailty  tix/thi^  ground:  he 

runs 


BOOK   HI.    CHAP:   I.  363 

runs  with  more  eaie  than  he  can  w^k,  ^d  requires  artificial  heels, 
more  elevated  than  thofe  of  (hobs  in  generaUto  enable  him  to  walk  with* 
out  incovenience  for  any  length  of  time.  Thefe  are  the  only  parts 
in  which  he  bears  more  refemblance  to  the  ape  kind  than  to  man  -, 
but  when  he  is  compared  with  the  ape,  baboon,  or  monkey,  he  is  found 
to  have  far.  moire  conformity  to  man  than  to  thofe  animals.  The  In- 
dians are  liieriefore  excuiable  for  al£x:iating  him  with  the  I^uman 
race,  under  the  appellation  of  orangoutangs  or  wild  man^  fince  he  re« 
fembles  man  much  more  than  he  does  the  ape,  or  any  other  animal. 
All  the  parts  of  his  head,  limbs,  and  body,  external  and  internal,  are 
fo  perfedly  like  the  human,  that  we  cannot  (fays  he)  collate  them  toge- 
ther, without  being  amazed  at  a  conformation  fb  parallel,  and  an  or* 
ganization  fo  exadly  the  fame,  although .  ;s^/  refulting  to  ttf  fame.  ^- 
Je&s.  The  tongue,  for  example,  and  all  the  orgians  of  fpeech  are  the 
fame  in  both,  and  yet  the  oran-outang  does  not  /peak ;  the  brain  is 
abfolutely  the  fame  in  texture^  difpoiition,  and  proportion,  and  yet  he 
does  not  think ;  -an  evident  proof  this,  that  mere  matter  alone,  though 
perfedily  organized,  cannot  produce  thought,  nor  fpeech,  the  index  of 
thought,  ^  unle6  it  be  animated  with  a  fttper tor  principle. 

His  imitation  and  mimickry  of  human  geftures  and  movements, 
which  come  {o  near  in  fcmblance  to  the  refult  of  thought,  fet  him 
at  a  great  difiance  from  brute  animals,  and  in  a  clofe  affinity  to  man. 
If  the  edcQce  of  hi^  nature  confifis  entirely  in  the  form  and  organiza- 
tion of  the  body,  he  comes  nearer  to  man  than  any  otiier  creature,  and 
may  be  placed  in  the  fecond  clafs  of  animal  behigs. 

If  be  is  a  zxt?X\xx^  fiii  generis ^  he  fills  up  the  fpace  between  man- 
kind and  the  ape,  as  this  and  the  monkey  tribe  fupply  the  interval 
tlfat  is  between  the  oran-outang  and  quadrupeds. 

When  we  compare  the  accounts  of  this  race,  fo  far  as  they  appear 
credible,  and  to  be  relied  on,  we  muft,  to  form  a  candid  judgement, 
be  of  opinion  that  Mr.  Buffon  has  been  rather  too  precipitate  in  fome 
of  his  conclufions. 

We  obferve  that,  in  their  native  countries,  they  are  not  thoroughly 
known ;  they  live  fequeftered  in  deep  woods,  poflefs  great  ftrength 
and  agility  of  body,  with  probably  fufiicient  cunning  to  guard  againfl:, 
as  well  as  nimblenels  to  elude,  furprizes.  The  Negroes  and  Indians 
believe  them  to  be  favage  men  ;  it  is  no  wonder  that,  lor  the  moft  part, 

A  a  a  2  they 


364  J    A    M    A    C    A. 

they  are  fearful  of  approaching  the  haunts  of  this  race  ;  and  that  from 
fome  or  other  of  thefe  caiifes,  none  have  been  obtained  for  infpec- 
tion  in  Europe,  except  very  young  ones,  who  could  not  efcape  their 

purfuer-?. 

So  far  as  they  are  hitherto  difcovercd  to  Europeans,  it  appears  that 
they  herd  in  a  kind  of  fociety  together,  and  build  huts  fuitaUc  to  their 
climate ;  that,  when  tamed  and  .properly  inftrufted,  they  have  been 
brought  to  perform  a  variety  of  menial  domeflic  ferviccs ;  that  they 
conceive  a  paffion  for  the  Negroe  women,  and  hence  muft  be  fup- 
pofed  to  covet  their  embraces  from  a  natural  impulfe  of  defire,  fuch 
as  inclines  one  animal  towards  another  of  the  fame  fpecies,  or  which 
has  a  conformity  in  thfe  organs  of  generation. 

The  young  ones  exhibited  in  Europe  hzvt  (hewn  z  quicknefs  of  ap- 
prehenfion,  and  facility  of  imitation,  that  we  Ihould  admure  very  much 
in  children  of  the  fame  tender  age. 

The  conformation  of  their  limbs  denotes  beyond  all  controrerfy, 
that  they  are  deftined  to  an  ereft  pofition  of  body,  and  to  move  like 
men.  The  ftrufture  of  their  teeth,  their  organs  of  fecretion,  dtgeftion^ 
&c.  all  the  fame  as  the  human,  prove  them  entitled  to  fublift  on 
the  fame  aliments  as  man.  The  organs  of  generation  being  alike, 
they  propagate  their  fpecies,  and  their  females  fuckle  their  young,  in 
the  fame  manner. 

Their  difpofition  fliews  a  great  degree  of  focial  feeling ;  they  fecin 
to  have  a  fenfe  of  fliame,  and  a  (hare  of  fenfibility,  as  may  be  inferred 
from  the  preceding  relations ;  nay,  fome  trace  of  rcafon  appears  in 
that  young  one,  which  (according  to  Le  Bro(Te)  made  (igns  expref- 
(ive  of  his  idea  that  «'  bleeding  in  the  arm  had  been  remedial  to 
'<  his  difordcr."  Nor  muft  we  omit  the  expre(lion  of  their  grief  by 
(bedding  tears,  and  other  pailions,  by  modes  entirely  refembling  the 
human.  Ludicrous  as  the  opinion  may  feem,  I  do  not  think  that  an 
orftn-outang  bulband  would  be  any  di(honour  to  an  Hottentot  female; 
for  what  are  thefe  Hottentots  ? — They  are,  fay  the  moft  credible  wri- 
ters, a  people  certainly  very  (lupid,  and  very  brutal.  In  many  refpeSs 
they  are  more  like  beafts  than  men ;  their  complexion  is  dark,  they  are 
(hort  and  thick-fet  5  their  nofes  flat,  like  thofe  of  a  Dutch  dog  ;  their 
lips  very  thick  and  big;  their  teeth  exceedingly  white,  but  very  long, 
and  ill  fet,  fome  of  them  flicking  out  of  tlieir  mouths  like  boars 

tu(ks; 


BOOK   III.    CH  AP.  i.  s^s 

tuiks ;  their  hair  black,  and  curled  like  wool ;  they  are  very  nimble, 
and  run  with  a  Ipeed  that  is  almoft  incredible ;  they  are  very  dif- 
agreeable  in  their  perfons,  and,  in  ihort,  taking  all  things  together, 
one  of  the  meaneft  nations  on  the  £ace  of  the  earth  [d]. 

Has  the  Hottentot,  from  this  portrait,  a  more  manly  figure  than  the 
oran-outang?  I  fufped  that  he  owrcs,  like- the  orangoutang,  the  celerity 
of  his  fpeed  to  the  particular  conformation  of  his  foot ;  this,  by  the 
way,  is  only  my  conjedure,  for  he  has  not  as  yet  undergone  anato- 
mical inveiligation.  That  the  oran-outang  and  fome  races  of  black 
men. are  very  nearly  allied,  is,  I  think,  more  than  probable;  Mr.BuC' 
fon  fupports  his  deductions,  tending  to  the  contrary,  by  no  deciiive 
proofs. 

We  can  fcarcely  fpeak  more  of  the  oran-outang  race  than  we 
might  of  any  newly  difcovered  people,  the  meafure  of  whofe  facul- 
ties we  have  not  yet  had  fufficient  opportunity  to  examine. 

We  have  leen  their  bodies  hitherto  in  miniature  only,  which  con- 
veys very  little  further  inibrmatior)  of  their  intelle^  than  might  be 
gained  from  the  view  of  a  pifture,  or  a  ftatue. 

But,  if  we  reafon  about  tbfm  frdm  analogy,  they  poflefs  all  thofe 
organizations  which  indicate,  according  to  Le  Pluche  [e^  the  pre-emii- 
nence  of  man  over  brutes,  and  (hew  him  born  to  govern  them. 

Thefe  tokens  of  fuperiority  are,  ift.  The  advantages  received  from 
the  ered:  poiition  of  his  head  and  body.  All  the  brute,  ipecies  re- 
cline towards  the  earth,  and  creep  upon  it.  Man  alone  walks  with 
his  head  upright,  and  by  this  attitude  maintains  hlmfelf  in  full  liberty 
of  adion,  and  command.  2d,  The  expreiSon  in  his  countenance,  from 
the  multitude  of  mufcles  which  are  diftributed  through  the  extent 
of  his  face.  3d,.  The  liberty  of  governing  all,  and  varying  his  actions 
according  to  the  exigency  of  circumftances,  is  the  firft  help  which 
man  experiences  from  the  nob/e  pofition  of  liis  body.  4th,  But  the 
analogy  of  his  ihape,  with  the  things  around  him,  is  a  new  fourcc 
of  eafy  methods  to  him  in  making  himfelf  majler  of  all^  What  we 
have  juft  remarked  of  the  whole  frauie  of  the  borly  of  man,  and  of 
the  exaft  proportion  between  his  (hape  and  that  univerfal  fway  which 
is  alloted  him,  we  may  again  obferve  in  his  legs  and  arms.  5th,  His 
legs  fupport  him  with  an  air  of  dignity,  that  fets  him  off,  and  he- 

\d]  Commodore  Roggcwcin's  voyage.  [e]  SpeOade.  de  la  Nature. 

fpeaks. 


366  JAMAICA. 

fpeaks  him  a  majier :  by  a  particular  form,  and  by  mufclcs  peculiar 
to  them,  they  perform  a  multitude  of  aftions,  and  fituations,  adapted 
to  the  feveral  exigencies  of  his  government,  but  iifelefs  and  denied 
to  \i\%Jlaves^  the  inferior  animals ;  his  legs  growlefs  and  Icfe  towards 
the  ground,  where  they  terminate  in  a  bafis  flattened  on  purpofe  to 
fuftain  the  body,  by  giving  it  a  noble  and  firm  attitude,  without  clog- 
ging the  freedom  of  its  motions  by  the  largcnefi  of  bulk.  6th,  The 
mufcles  and  nerves,  which  produce  fo  many  ftretchings,  retraftions, 
jerks,  Hidings,  turnings,  and  operations  of  all  kinds,  have  been  all 
coUefted  into  one  bundle,  neatly  rounded  behind  the  fliih«bone ;  this 
mafe  becomes  a  commodious  pillow,  fit  to  lay  and  reft  the  tender 
bones  upon,  fo  very  neceflary,  and  fo  brittle,  I  pafe  by  a  great  many 
other  marks  of  precaution,  thefe  inftrdments  are  evidently  fuH  of;  but 
I  muft  not  omit  obferving,  that  the  two  columns  of  the  body  al- 
ways afcend  thicker  and  thicker,  not  only  to  lay  the  body  upon  a 
proportionable  prop,  but  alfo  that  it  may  He  loft,  when  it  wants  to 
eafe  itfelf  of  its  fatigues.  7tb,  The  arm  *nd  hand  together  contri- 
bute ftill  more  to  the  exercife  of  tlie  authority  of  man.  Since  man 
has  an  arm,  I  fay,  he  is  mafter  of  every  thing  on  earth  ;  this  muft  na- 
turally follow  ;  that  being  truly  the  token  and  inftriiment  of  a  moll 
€ffe£lual  fovereignty.  The  arm  of  man  being  an  univerfal  inftru- 
tnent,  his  operations  and  government  extend  as  far  as  nature  itfelf.  By 
ftiffening,  it  performs  the  funftions  of  a  lever,  or  bar.  When  bent  in 
the  feveral  articulations  which  divide  it,  it  imitates  the  flail,  the  bow, 
and  any  other  kind  of  fpring.  By  doubling  the  fift,  that  terminates 
it,  it  ftrikes  like  a  mallet.  When  it  rounds  the  cavity  of  the  hand,  it 
holds  liquids  like  a  cup,  and  tranfports  them  as  a  ipoon  would  do. 
By  bending  or  joining  its  fingers  clofe  to  each  other,  it  makes 
hooks,  nippers,  and  pincers  of  them.  The  two  arms,  ftretched  out, 
imitate  the  balance;  and,  when  one  of  them  is  fliortencd,  to  fupport 
fome  great  burthen,  the  other,  extended  out  immediately  on  the  oppo- 
fite  fide,  conftitutes  an  equilibrium.  But  it  is  extenuating  the  merits  of 
the  arm  and  hand,  to  compare  them  with  our  ordinary  inftrumentS.  In 
truth,  the  arm  is  both  the  model  and  the  foul  as  it  were,  of  all  inftru- 
ments  whatfoevcr ;  it  is  the  foul  of  them,  as  the  excellence  of  their  effefts 
does  always  proceed  from  the  hand  and  arm  that  diredt  them ;  fince 
they  are  all  fo  many  imitations,  or  extenfions,  of  its  diflerent  proper- 
ties. 


BOOKIIL    CHAP;  I.  367 

ties^  8tb>  One-may  know  the  dejlination^.  and  general  power,  of  man» 
in  the  faihe  manner  as  we  luiow  the  peculiar  defiination  of  the  eye» 
arm,  or  leg  5  the  propsriim  of  tbefe  injhuments^  with  certain  effeSts^ 
points  out  to  us  the  intention  of  the  Creator.  9th,  One  might  be  apt 
to  thinks  that  hts  ftomach  confounds  him  with  the  other  animals,  iince 
they  all  have  a  ftomach,.  and  digeft  as  well  as  he  does  ;  yet  his  very 
ftomach  ferve^  to  evidence. his  general  dominion.  The  cormorant,  the 
diver,  and  the  hern,  have  a.  fiomach  fitted  to  digeft  the  fie(h  of  a  fifli. 
They  are  never  fecn  obferving,  as  the  dove  does,  the  departure  of  the 
plonghman,  who  has  been  juft  fowing  his  ground.  The  lion  and 
tiger  have*  a  ilomach  fit  to  digeft  the  flefli  of  terrefirial  animals  ;  yois 
would  in  vain  tie  them  up  to  the  rack  or  manger,  and  reduce  them>t<K 
a  few  oats,  or  the  gra(s  c^your  meadows.  The  borfe  overlooks*  the 
hen,  that  turns  up  the  fb*aw  he  treads  upon.  The  beafi:;  of  burthen^, 
who  exhauft.  their  firength  in  our  fer vice^  are  no  kfs  vsduable  oa  ac*- 
count  of  the  dieapnefs  of  their  food  ;  and  in  vain  (hould  we  atttonpt* 
to  reward  their  labour,  by  offering  them  meats  of  the  mofl  exquifite 
tafte,  frbm  which  they  would  turn  away  with  loathing.  Thefeani"* 
mals  are  then,  from  the  very  difpofition  of  their  (lomacb, .  tied  dowik^ 
to  a  certain  kind  of  food  ;  but  man  alone  is  unrefi:rained  ;  and,  as  he- 
has  oh  his  tongue  the  difcernment  c^  all  the  favours  that  are  dtftri**^ 
buted  among  oither  animals,  be  has  likewife  in  his  ftomach  the  faculty 
of  digefliug  whatever  is  wholefome  and  nouri(hing«  God  has  given 
him  hands,  that  he  might  lay  hold  of,  and  fafhion,  whatever  can  nou- 
rifh,  cure,  and  defend  him  ^  and  a  ftomach  capable  of  digefting  the* 
foods  tried  by  his  palate.  But  the  ftomach  of  man  is  not  the  prin- 
cipal part  of  his  body ;  that  feems  by  its  ftinAions  to  Iwve  a  nearer 
affinity  with  that  of  animals,  at  the  fame  time  that  it  baa  a  degree  of 
excellence  that  raifes  it  much  above  tJbem.  It  is  the  fkmt  with  his- 
other  organs,  loth.  The  lips  are  the  ramparts  of  the  gums  >  the  kt-* 
ter  are  the  fence  of  the  tongue,  and  of  the  roof  of  the  mouth.  They 
are  a  couple  of  true  bulwarks,  not  only  forming  an  inclofure  round 
the  tongue,,  but  alfo  ferving  as  a  bafis  to  the  two  rows  of  teethe 
Tbefe  inftruments,  chieffy  appointed  to  grind  and  diffblve,  ar«  a  bony 
fubftance,  ^rfeftly  hatd»  andon^ered  vvith  enamel,  which  embelliflies 
the  mouth  by  .  its  whltenefs,  and  preferves,  by  its  firmnefe,  thofe- 
precious  tools  from  tlie  friAion  of  mafly  foods,  axid  the  infimiatioa 
X  of 


368  J    A    M    A   .1    C    A. 

of  penetrating  liquors.      The  incifory  teeth  fill. the  fofc-part;  tliey 
are  thin  at  the  edge,  like  a  wedge,  and  iharp  as  knives.     The  canim 
are  rounded,  longer  than  the  reft,  and  ending  in  a  point«     All  the 
reft  have  a  (quare  farface,   that  grows  wider  and  virider,  the  further 
tliey. are  fet  within  the  mouth;    thefe  are. the  molar es^  or  grinders* 
From  the  variety  of  their  feveral  operations,  thefe  teeth  comprehend 
in  abftrad:  all  the  powers  of  cutting,  dividing,   and  triturating,  that 
2xt,  partially  difperied  among  other  animals ;  they  accommodate  to 
every  fpecies  of  vegetable  as  well  as  animal  food  ;  and,  together  with 
the  ftoniach,  (licw,  that  man  was  formed  to  derive  his  fuftenaiice 
from  both  or  either  of  thefe  alimentary  clafles,  at  bis  pleafure.    The. 
wonders  of  man's  organization  are  multiplied  through  every  part  of 
bis   body,   infomuch  that    anatomifb  confefs,  that,  the  flrnfiure  is» 
to  any  firi^  enquirer,  an  abyfs,  which  fwallows  up  both  our  eyes 
and  reafon.     nth,  The  human  voice,  merely  as  a  vcMce,  is  not  ex- 
traordinary, fince  other  animals  have  a  voice  as  well  as  man*  .  But 
Jpeeeh  puts  an  immenfe  diftance  between  man  and  the  animab^.    The 
merit  of  ipeech  does  not  confift  in  noife,  but  in  the  variety^  o£  its 
infledions  and  univerfality  c^  iignificatiou.     Man  can  expref^   his 
thoughts  very  varioufly.     If  making  one's  fclf  underftopd  is  the  {sixat- 
as  fpeaking,  we  may  of  courfe  fpeak  with  the  foot,  the  eye,  or  the  hand. 
A  man,  who  feems  tranfported  with  joy,  or  overwhelmed  .with  gri^f, 
has  already  told  us.  many  things  before  he  opens  his  mouth.     His  eyes, 
bis  features,  his  ge(lures,  his  whole  countenance,  correfpond  with  his 
mind,  and  make  it  very  well  underftood.     He /peaks  from  head  to 
foot:  all  his  motions  are  iignificant,  and  his  expreffions  are  as  infinite 
as  his  thought.     But  his  voice  takes  place  of  thefe  iigns  whenever  he 
pleafes,  and  is  not  only  equivalent  to  them,  but  even  fufficient  alone  to 
explain  diftindly  what  they  cannot  exprefs  when  combined  together. 
Speech  was  fuperadded  to  all  thefe  figns,  that  man  (hould  not  want  any 
means  of  explaining  himielf  clearly.     In  every  thing,  man  alone  unites 
the  prerogatives  that  have  been  granted  but  fingly  to  any  particular 
fpecies,  and  his  dignity  arifes  from  the  right  ufe  to  which  his  reajon 
enables  him  to  apply  his  corporeal  powers  and  fenfes. 

If  then,  the  pre-eminence  of  man  over  the  brute  creation  be  diiplayed 
in  the  ftrufture  of  his  body,  and  the  feveral  infignia  which  the  ingeni- 
ous author  has  enumerated,  it  follows  of  courfe,  that  the  oran-outang 

poffeffing 


BOOK  III.    CHAP.  I.  5^ 

poflleflifig  the  f^me  ftrudiire  and  organization^  is  alfo  defiined  to  the 
like  precedence  and  authority.     The  fole  diftindion  between  him  and 
man,  muft  confift  in  the  meafure  of  intelle6lual  faculties ;  thofe  facul<- 
ties  which  the  moft  fldlful  anatomift  is  incapable  of  tracing  the  fourcc 
of,  and  which  exift  independent  of  the  Jirudiure  of  the  brain ;  thefe 
j^owers  are  rendered  vifible  only  in  the  refiilt  they  produce,  through 
the  intervention  of  the  bodily  organs.     Hence  it  is  certain,  that  the  ' 
oran-outang,  though  endued  with  brains  and  organs  of  a  ftru£ture  not 
to  be  diftinguifhed  from  thofe  of  man  by  the  abled  anatomifls,  fiill  re- 
jpains  very  far  inferior  to  our  idea  oizperfeSi  human  being,  unlefs  he 
alfo  is  endowed  with  the  faculties  of  reafon  and  perception,  adapted  to 
dired  him  in  the  application  of  that  mechanifm  to  the  fame  ufes  as  we 
find  it  applied  in  a  rational  man.     According  to  Mr.  Bufibn,  he  has 
Tyes,  but  fees  not;  ears  has  he,  but  hears  not;  he  has  a  tongue,  and 
the  human  organs  of  fpeech,  hxitfpedks  not ;   he  has  the  human  brain» 
but  does  not  thinks  forms*  no  coraparifons,  draws  no  concluiions. 
makes  no  reflections,  and  is  determined,  like  brute  animals,  by  a  po^ 
fitive  limited  infl:in<5t.     But  in  truth,  we  know  not  the  meafure  of 
their  intelleft,  nor  can  form  a  competent  judgement  of  it  from  one  or 
two  young  animals,  that  were  (hewn  for  a  few  months  in  France  and 
England.     Dogs,  and  fome  other  brutes,  have  been  made,  by  dint  *of 
blows,  rewards,  and  conftant  exercife,  to  vary  their  motions  in  a  very 
{urprifing  manner,  according  to  the  deiires  and  fignals  of  their  teachen ; 
but  in  thefe  cafes,  the  adual  fkill  has  been  fuppofed  to  reiide  in  the 
teacher,  and  that  no  juft  argument  can  be  drawn  from  hence  to  prove 
any  particular  dexterity  in  them,  much  lefs  any  defign  of  theirs,  or 
degree  of  perfeftion  acquired  by  reafoning :  the  monkey  tribe  indeed 
form  fome  exception,  who,  even  in  their  wild  ftate,  (hew  a  voluntary 
delight  and  readinefs  in  mimicking  human  aftions,  of  which  there  are 
5n  infinite* multitude  of  well-attefted  proofs.     When  we  come  to  view 
the  ftrufture  of  the  oran-outang,  we  are  forced  to  acknowledge,  that 
his  aftions  and  movements  would  not  be  natural^  unlefs  they  refembled 
thofe  of  man.  *  To  find  him  therefore  excelling  the  brute  animals  in 
the  dexterity  of  his  manoeuvres,  and  aptnefs  of  bis  imitations,  does  not 
excite  our  admiration,  fo  much  as  the  readinefs  of  apprehenfion,  with 
which,  in  his  ftate  of  impuberty  or  childhood  (if  I  may  fo  exprefs  my- 
£;lf ),  his  performances  before  fuch  a  variety  of  fpe£tators  were  ufually 
Vol.  II.  6  b  b  accompanied. 


jyo  JAMAICA* 

accompanied^  How  far  an  oranoutang  imgbt  be  biought  to  pvt  ut- 
terance tx>  thofe  European  words  (the  figntficatioo  of  wbofe  founds^  it 
ts  plain  from  BufE;m^  and  others^  be  bas  capacity  to  underftand^  fo  as 
to  conform  hb  demeanour  and  movements  to  tfaem  voluntarily  at  tiie 
immature  period  of  life,  when  his  mental  faculties  are  in  their  weakeft 
ftate),  remains  for  experiment.  If  the  trial  were  to  be  impartial 
made,  he  ought  to  pafs  regularly  from  his  horn-book,  through  the  re- 
gular fteps  of  pupilage,  to  the  fchool,  and  univerfify,  till  the  ufual 
modes  of  culture  are  exhaufted  upon  him.  If  he  fhould  be  trained  up 
In  this  manner  from  childhood  (or  that  early  part  of  exigence  in 
which  alone  he  has  been  noticed  by  the  learned  in  Europe)^  to  the  ag* 
©f  20  or  25,  under  fit  preceptors,  it  might  then  with  certainty  be  de^ 
tcrmined,  v^rhether  his  tongue  is  incapable  of  ariitulating  human-  lan- 
guages. But  if,  in  that  advanced  age,  and  after  a  regular  procefs  of 
education,  he  fhould  ftill  be  found  to  labour  under  this  impediment, 
the  phaenomenon  would  be  truly  aflonifhing ;  for  if  it  be  alledgcd, 
that  he  could  not  produce  fuch  founds'  for  want  of  the  fentient  or 
thinking  principle  to  excite  the  organs  of  fpecch  to  fuch  an  efTcft,  flill 
vire  fhould  expeft  him  capable  of  uttering  founds  refembUng  the 
human,  jufl  as  well  as  a  natural  idiot,  or  a  parrot,  can  produce  them 
Without  the  agency  of  thought.  For  my  own  part,  I  conceive  that 
probability  favours  the  opinion,  that  human  organs  were  not  given 
him  for  nothing :  that  this  race  have  fbmd  language  by  which  their 
meaning  is  communicated;  whether  it  refctnbles  the  gabbling  of  tur* 
kies  like  that  of  the  Hottentots,  or  the  hifling  of  fcrpcnts,  is  df  very 
little  confeqiience,  fo  long  as  it  is  intelligible  among  themfelves :  nor, 
for  what  hitherto  appears^  do  they  fegm  at  all  Inferior  in  the  intelledual 
feiculties  to  many  of  the.Negroe  rate;  with  fome  of  whom,  it  is  credit 
bie  that  they  have  the,  mou  intimate  connexji^n^ahd  confawgtiiniry'* 
The  amorous  intercburfe  between  them  rfiay  be  frequent  i  the 'Negroes 
themfelves*  bear  tefUmony  that  fuch  ifitercourfes  aftually  happen ;  ahd 
It  is  certain,  that  both  races  agree  perfeftly  well  in  lalciviolifnefs  of 
3i^ofitk>n  [A.  .         . 

But 

[/].  An  ingeniow  ojodcrniatttliprhas  fuggefted.many  ftrong  reafons  to  prove>  that  the  faculty  of 
Ipecch  b  not  the  gift  of  natiireWman ;  that  articulation  is  the  work  of  art,  or' at  leart  of  a'habit  ac- 
q^ireei  by  cuftoni  and  esterci^es  f  nd  that,  mankind ''are  truly  ih  their^  natural  fifaclb  a  $tmtum<piiusA  He' 
]{di}a4cet  ib9  ca$;.  of  Peter  the  wild  youth».ca^!^t  in  the  fbrefts  of  Hanover,  who  (He  telk  us)  was 


BOOK  III.    CHAP.  I.  371 

But  if  we  ftdmit  with  Mr.  Biiffatt,  thai  with  alt  this  analogy  of  ar<* 
ganization,  the  oran*outang*5  brain  is  a  fcnltlcfs  icon  of  the  human  1 
that  it  is  meer  matter,  unanimated  with  a  thinking  principle,  in  any,, 
or  at  leaft  in  a  very  minute  and  imperfedt  degree,  we  muflt  then  infer 
the  ftrongeft  conclufion  to  eftabli(h  our  belief  of  a  natural  diverfity 
of  the  human  intelleft,  in  general,  ub  origine;  an  oran-outang,  in  this 
cafe,  is  a  humah  being,  quoad  hk  form  and  organs  5  but  of  an  inferior 
fjpecies,  guaaJYis  intelleft  ;  he  has  in  form  a  much  nearer  reiemblanc^ 
to  the  Negroe  race,  than  the  latter  bear  to  white  men;  the ibppofitioif 
then  is  well  founded,  that  the  brain,  and  intelle(3:ual  organs,  fo  far  as 
they  are  dependent  upon  meer  matter,  though  fimilar  in  texture  and 
modification  to  thofe  of  other  men,  may  in  fome  of  the  Negroe  race 
be  fo  conftituted,  as.«^/  to  refult  to  the  fame  effeSisi  for  we  canBOt 
but  allow,  that  the  Deity  might,  if  it  was  his  pfcafiire,  diverfify  his 
works  in  this  manner,  and  either  withhold  the  fuperior  principle  en- 
tirely, or  in  part  only^  or  infufe  it  into  the  diflferent  clafles  and  races 
of  human  creatures,  in  fuch  portions,  as  to  form  the  fkme  gradual 
climax  towards  perfection  in  this  human  fyftem,  which  is  (b  evidently 
defigned  in  every  other. 

If  fuch  has  been  the  intention  of  the  Almighty,  we  arc  then  per* 
haps  to  regard. the  orati-Outang  as, 

«*  —  the  lag  of  human  kind, 
"  Neareft  to  brutes,  by  God  defign'd  [g]/' 
The  Negroe  race  (confifting  of  varieties)  will  then  appear  rifing  pn> 
greffively  in  the  fcale  of  intelleft,  the  further  they  mount  above  the 
cran-outang  and  brute  creation.  The  fyftem  of  man  will  feem  more 
confiftent,  and  the  meafure  of  it  more  compleat,  and  analagous  to  the 
harmony  and  or^er  that  are  vifible  in  every  other  line  of  the  world's 
ftupendous  fabric.  Nor  is  this  conclufion  degrading  to  human  nature, 
while  it  tends  to  exalt  our  idea  of  the  infinite  pcrfedions  of  the  Deity ; 

a  man  in  miad  as  well  ns  bodyf  yet  was  not  only  mute  when  firfl  caught,  but  continued  (b  for  50 
years  after,  having  never  learned  to  fpeak,  notwithftanditig  his  conflant  intereourfe  with  mankind 
during  that  fpace.  This  would  icem  to  prove,  that  the  want  of  articulation,  or  e)tprefling  ideas  by 
fpeech,  does  not  afford  a  pofitive  iadlcatioa  of  a  wantof  iateUed:  ilnce  the  difficulty  ariiing  from 
the  mechanifin  of  ipeech,  or  pronunciation,  may  to  (bme  organs  be  infurmountable.  Singular  ez« 
amples  of  this  kind  may  happen,  but  they  are  rare.  To  find  t  Whole  Ibciety  of  people  labouring 
under  the  fam^  impedimenc,  would  be  really  wonderfuk 

is]  Piior* 

B  b  b  a  for 


372  JAMAICA. 

for  how  vaft  is  the  diftance  between  inert  matter,  and  matter  endued 
with  thought  and  reafon !  The  feries  and  progreiEon  from  a  lump  of 
dirt  to  a  perfeft  human  being  is  amazingly  extenfive ;  nor  lefs  fo,  per- 
haps, the  interval  between  the  latter  and  the  moft  perfeft  angelic 
being,  and  between  this  being  and  the  Deity  himfelf.  Let  us  (hake  off 
thofe  clouds  with  which  prejudice  endeavours  to  invelope  the  under- 
ftanding  ;  and,  exerting  that  freedom  of  thought  which  the  Beft  of 
Beings  has  granted  to  us,  let  us  take  a  noon-tide  view  of  the  human 
genus  ;  and  fiiall  we  fay,  that  it  is  totally  different  from,  and  lefs  per- 
feft than,  every  other  fyftem  of  animal  beings  ?  The  fpecies  of  every 
Other  genus  have  their  certain  mark  and  diftinftion,  their  varieties,  and 
fubordinate  claffes :  and  why  fliould  the  race  of  mankind  be  Angularly 
kidifcriminate  ? 

"  —  In  the  catalogue  they  go  for  men, 
"  As  hounds  and  greyhounds,  mongrels,  fpaniels,  curs, 
"  Shocks,  water-rugs,  and  demi- wolves,  are  'clep'd 
;  "  All  hyi)cit  name  of  dogs  \  the  valued  file 

•«  Diftinguiflies  the  fwift,  the  flow,  the  fubtle, 
"  The  houfekeeper,  the  hunter ;  every  one 
"According  to  the  gift,  which  bounteous  nature 
*«  Hath  in  him  closed;  whereby  he  does  receive 
"  Particular  addition,  fropi  the  bill 
**  That  writes  them  all  alike  ^^Mdjoofmen — " 
fays  that  faithful  obferver  of  nature,,  our  immortal  Shakefpear;  and 
with  him  fo  far  agrees  that  truly  learned  and  fagacious  naturalift  Monf. 
Bufibn,  who  invefligates  the  marks  of  variation  among  mankind  in 
the  following  manner:  "  Men  differ  from  white  to  black,  from  com- 
pctmd  to  iimple,  by  the  height  of  ftature,  fize,  aftivity,  ftrength,  and 
other  bodily  charafteriftics ;  and  from  the  genius  to  the  dolt,  from  the 
greateft  to  the  leaft,  by  the  meafure  of  intellect ^     That  there  are  fomc. 
phyfical  diftinftions,  in  refpeft  of  perfon,  I  think,  requires  no  further 
demonftrationj,  and  that  men  vary  ftill  more  in  intelleft,  is  al'moft 
equally  evident*    On  our  entering  Africa  towards  the  European  con- 
fine on  the  North,  we  firft  meet  with  the  Moors,  a  race  of  tawny  men, 
who  poffeis  many  vices,  and  fome  virtues  i.  they  are  acute,  induftrious,. 
and  carry  on  trade  and  manufaftures ;  next  to.  th^ie,  are  a  mixture  of 
Moors  and  Arabs:,  we  then  arrive  at  the  gum  coaft,  or  country  of 

Senaga, 


BOOK  III.    CHAP.  I.  373 

Scnaga>  whofe  inhabitants  are  an  intermixture  of  blacks  and  the  two 
former  [A].  Next  to  thefe  lie  the  Jaloffs,  Phulis,  and  Mandingo 
Blacks;  the  former  of  whom  are  the  moft  humanized  and  induftrious 
of  any  on  the  coaft ;  yet  they  are  varioufly  defcribed  by  travelers, 
fome  commending  them  for  amiable  qualities,  others  accufing  them 
of  the  worftj  fo  that,  to  judge  impartially,  we  are  tofuppofe  that  they 
poffefs  both,  and  diflfer  only  from  each  other  in  degree;  but  the  Man- 
dmgoes  are  reprefented  as  little  better  than  their  Southern  neighbours 
on  whom  they  border.  From  hence  we  proceed  through  the  different 
diftrifts  called  the  grain,  ivory,  gold,  and  flave  coaft,  to  Angola;  all 
thefe  we  find  occupied  by  petty  Negroe  ftates,  whofe  charafter  is 
nearly  uniform,  and  who  fcarcely  defervc  to  be  ranked  with  the  hu- 
man fpecies*  ,  The  kingdoms  of  Angola  and  Benguela,  having  been 
chiefly  peopled  by  the  Giagas  an  interior  nation,  the  inhabitants  are 
faid  to  be  favages  in  a  fhape  barely  human.  The  Giagas  were  a  tribe 
that  poured  out  of  the  inland  parts,  ravaged  and  plundered  almoft 
every  country  bordering  on  the  coaft,  deluging  them  like  the  Goths 
and  Vandals  of  Europe,  and  intermixing  with  moft  of  the  conquered' 
ftates,  particularly  Angola. and  Ben^uela.  They  are  defcribed  as  a 
barbarous  race,  hardened  in  idolatry,  wallowers  in  human  blood,  caur* 
nibals,  drunkards,  pra^ifed.  in  lewdnefs,oppref{ion,  and  fraud';  proud 
and  flothful,  curfed  with  all  the  vices  that  can  degrade  human  nature, 
pofTefting  na  one  good  quality,  and  in  fhort  more  brutal  and  favage 
than  the  wild  beafts  of  the  forqft*  Froha  thefe,  the  Angolans  borrow^ 
cd  their  horrid  cuftom- of  butchering  a  vaft  number  of  human  viftims, 
at  the  obfequies  of  their  Icings  and  relations,  as  well  as  that  of  feafting. 
upon  human  flefh,  and  preferring  it  to  any  other ;  infomuch,  that  a 
dead  flave  was  of  mote  value  at  their,  market  than  a  living  one:  the 
former  pr  aft  ice  indeed  obtained  in  almoft  if  not  all  the  other  pro- 
vinces on  the  coaft,  and  has  onl^  been  difcontinued  by  the  greater  ad- 
vantage that  offered,  of  felling  theifflave^  jand  captives,  to  the.  Euro- 

[/yi  The  Moors  inhabiting  on  one  fide  of  th&Senag^  are  wanderers,  removing.. from  place'  to 
place,  as  they- find  pailurage  for  theii  cattle*  The  Jaloffand  Phulis.  Negroes,  .fettled  on  the  other 
fide  of  the  fame  river,  live  in  villages.  The  Moors  havcfu^riors,or  chiefs,  ot  their  own  free  elec- 
tion; the  Negroes  lire  in  fubjedion-to  thoir  kltigs,  vulib  fare  veiled  with  a. very  arbitrary  power. 
ThC'Mpors  are  fi^aU,  lean,  and  ill, looked,  but  have  a  lively,. acute  getiius.;  .the,  Negroes  are  larg<2^ 
kty  and  well-proportioned,  but  filly,  and  of  a  ileniler  capacity.  The  country  inhabited  by  the. 
Aloon  is  a  barren  defart,  almofl  dellitute  of  verdure;  that  of  tlie  Negroes  is  a  fertile  foil,  abound* 
iog  witb  pafturage,  prpdudai^^nuo,  and.tree^  of  feveral  ldads«    Le  Maire* 

a  peani 


374      .  J    A    MA-   1    C    A. 

pean  traders,  inftead  of  putting  them  to  death,  Aftejr.  leaving  Ben- 
guela  we  arrive  among  the  Hottentots,  whofe  women  arc  id  remarkar 
ble  for  a  natural  callous  excrefcence,  or  flap,  which  diftinguiflies  them 
from  all  others  of  the  fame  fex  in  the  known  world.  .  Thefe  people 
are  of  a  dark  nut,  or  dingy  olive  complexion,  and  in  all  other  refpe6b, 
fave  what  have  been  noticed,  are  likt  the  other.  Negro^  in  perfon/ 
They  are  a  lazy,  ftupid  race ;  but  poflefs  benevolence,  liberality,  in- 
tegrity, and  friendfhip;  they  are  ho(pitable  and  chafte,  havefome  ap- 
pearance of  a  regular  form  of  government  among  them,  and  the  bar- 
barities they  praftife  are  more  the  refult  of  antient  cuftoms,  whofe 
iburce  is  now  unknown,  than  any  innate  cruelty  of  their  difpofitions. 
Thefe  people  have  feveral  mechanic  arts  among  them  5  but  their  lan- 
guage is  guttural,  and  inarticulate,  Compared  by  fome  to  the  galjbling 
of  enraged  turkey- cocks,  and  by  others  to  the  runibling  bf'wkid  a 
pojierioru  As  we  approach  towards  Abyffinia,  the  North  Eaft  con- 
fine of  Negro -land^  we  find  the  Blacks  well  (haped  and  featured,  and 
for  the  moft  part  having  lank  black  hair  inftead  of  wool,  though  not 
very  long.  The  Abyffinians  are  ireprefented  to  be  of  a  brown  olive' 
complexion,  tall,  oif  regular  and  well-proportioned  features,  large 
fparkling  black  eyes,  elevated  noles,  fmall  lips,  and  beautiful  teeth; 
the  charafter  of  their  minds  is  equally  favourable;  they  are  fober, 
temperate,  fenfible,  pious,  and  inpffenfive. 

The  Red  Sea  divides  thefe  people  ffom  the  Arabs,  who,  in  com- 
plexion, perfon,  and  intelleft,  come  ftill  nearer  to  the  Whites  or  Per- 
lians,  their  next  neighbours,  whofe  valour,  quick  parts,  and  huma- 
nity, are  juftly  celebrated. 

Having  now  compleated  this  tour,  we  are  ftruck  with  one  very  per- 
tinent remark;  the  natives,  of  the  whole  traft,  comprifed  under  the 
name  of  Negro-land,  are  all  black,  arid  have  wool  infl:ead  of  hair; 
whereas  the  people  in  the  moft'  torrid  regions  of  Libya  and  America, 
who  have  the  fun  vertical  over  them,  have  neither  the  fame  tinAure 
of  fkin,  nor  woolly  covering/  As  we  recede  frqm  Negro-land,  this 
blacknefs  gradually  decreafes,  and  the  wool  as  gradually  changes  to 
lank  hair,  which  at  firft  is  of  a  (hort  ftaple,  but  is  found  longer,  the 
further  we  advance  [/]•.  We  obferve  the  like  gradations  of  the  intel- 
lectual 

[i\  I  admit  there  is  (bme  variety  both  in  colour  vtni  feature  among^  ihe  dificrent  natk>i»  of  the 
Negroes  j  fome  are  lighter  than  others  by  a  ihade  or  two,  and  ibme  have  fmaHer  features ;  but  this 

diveriicy 


BOOK  III.    CHAP.  t.  975 

UQml  faqultyt  from  the  firft  rudiments  perceived  in  the  monkey  kind^ 
to  the  more  advanced  ftages  of  it  in  apes,  in  the  orangoutang ^  that  type 
ofma^  and  the  Guiney  Negroe;  and  afcending  from  the  varieties  of 
this  trl^6  to  the  lighter  cafts,  until  we  mark  it&  utmoft  limit  of  per- 
&Qilcna^  ia  the  pure  Whiter  Let  us  not  then  doubti  but  that  every 
member  of  the  creation  is  wifely  fitted  and  adapted  to  the  certain  ufesj 
ajQi'd  confined  within  the  certain  bounds,  to  which*  it  was  ordained  by 
the  Divine  Fabricator.  The  meafure  of  the  leveral  orders  and  varies 
ties  of  thefe  Blacks  may  be  as  compleat  as  that  of  any  other  race  of 
ijxortals;  .fiUfpg  up  that  fpace>  or  d^rec,  beyond  which  they  arc  not 
deftined  to  pafs;  and  dlfcriminating  them  from  the  reft  of  men,  not;  ii^ 
iindr  but  in  fpechs^  ; 

The  examples  which  have  beqn  given  of  Negroes  born  and  trained 
up  in  other  climates,  detraA  not  from  that  general  idea  of  narrow, 
humble  intelledl,  which  we  affix  to  the  inhabitants  of  Gt^iney. 
We  have  feen  learned  borfes^  learned  and  even  talking,  d^gSj  in  Eng^ 
land;  who,  by  dint  of  much  pains  and  tuition,  were  brought  to 
exhibit  the  figns  of  a  capacity  far  exceeding  what  i&  ordinarily; 
allowed  to  be  pofleiTed  by  thofe  animals.  The  experiment  has  not: 
been  fully  tried  with  the  orangoutangs;  yet,  from  what  has  hitherto 
been  proved^  this  race  of  beings  may,  for  aught  we  know  to.  the 
contraryt  jgoilbis  ^,ihare  of  intellect,    which,  by  due  cultivation,. 

dhtifyy  tmiyfCxveB  id  ^tenffbsi  my  ^gument;  there  is  Ukairlfe  a  vari^  ift'^he^ouir.of  (heit 
wool»  far  I  b^ve  feen  fome  perfectly  reddiih.  •.    •        j     ..   . 

The  natives  of  the  Indian  peniufula,  betwixt  the  rivers  Indus  ancl  Ganges  in  tiie  Eaft  Indies, 
have  the  African. Uack  complexiob;  the  European  features,  and  the  American  lank  hair»  b^t  all  na- 
tmaadgenisine/  -  ... 

'  It  it  out  a^fld^ty  ofcfimate  that  produces  ▼arions  comptetions;  America  lies  frohif  6j  degreed' 
North  lab  tor  55  deg«.  South  lat*.  coiiiprehending  ail  the  various  dimacesof  ]Ei(f6pe^  Afia^  AfActt^' 
andiAfMcriiniw  The  Aiwerican  complegticm  is  every  where  piertiftaii^htW  the  fartie,'tmV  ivitfh  rtore 
oir^kivof  anftttanioe  (utlre;  Between  the  Tropics,  and  in  the  W^hNorAem  latitudes',  thefy  ktt 
ptaklr.;  -in  the-  other-parts,  of  A  eoj^i"  c6ldiiri  -have  thin  lips,  jet  black'  lank  hair,  and  no  beards ;  ih 
the  high  Northern  and  Southern  latitudes,  they  are  tall  and  robuit;'  bbtw6in  the  Tro'pfcii  they  are 
ffionand  f<^uae.  .  Pouglas,*— The  gieate^  iteration  caufcd  by  difference  of  clitaatefdcms' to  cohlifl- 
iitonlar^Bg  dr  deprefling  the  ttatiirc;  r^axing  or  contrafting  the  iiiufclesVaiid  articulations  of  the 
Vltfibs;-  kh^thening  of  Rroftenmg  theboAes;  and,  in  confecjuence  perhaps,*  riifing  or  deprefling^  in 
aTitiittf'deg^eB,  f<wie-partk'ular  features^''lTife'^  hav6  neither  {uph  flat  nptek 

nor  dark  complexions  as  the  Guiney  Negroes;  there  are  fome  of  them  faid'to  be  mere  irufiets;',  apd 
rtoflf  oFthcW  have- long  hair  r  they  are'bf'moft'trsnieler^  ptohouncefl  to  be  Gveiy, '  in6dnigent,  fenfi- 
ble6lP*gfatHudc,  aiil*ptHIHftd.'df  trtaiiy^hiyblPqyjAK*;  tb  that  it  \i  HbttVlthbut"  regret,' thaj  we 
fiMtteirftriafci  ai.thc.Tno4dl35eflF«ai6i  tyifefe  !?i:Atlt;  bi'thfefr'  fettteraents  In  Mauritius. 

might. 


^^6  •  j    A    M    A    I    C    A."     • 

might  raifc  them  to  a  nearer  apparent  equality  with  the  hanian^ 
and  make  them  even  excel  the  inhabitants  of  ^aqua^  j/tngola^  an^ 
Whidah.  Mr.  Hume  prefumes,  from  his  obfervations  upon  the 
native  Africans,  to  conclude,  that  they  are  inferior  to  the  reft  of  the 
Ipecies,  and  utterli^  incapable  of  all  the  higher  attainments  of  the 
human  mind.  Mr.  BeattUy  upon  the  principle  of  philanthropy, 
combats  this  opinion ;  but  he  is  unforttinate  in  producing  no'  dc- 
monilration  to  prpve,  that  it  is  either  lightly  taken  up,  or  int^on- 
fident  vtrith  experience.  He  likewife  makes  no  fcruplc  to  confound 
Vat  Negroes  'and  Mexican  Indians  together,  and  to  deduce  con-* 
dulions  from  the  ingenuity  of  the' latter,  to  fhew  the  probable 
ingenuity  of  the  former.  We  might  reafonably  fuppofe,  that  the 
commerce  maintained  with  the  Europeans  for  above  two  centuries, 
and  the  great  variety  of  fabrics  and  things  manufactured,   which 

have  been  introduced  among  the  Guiney  Negroes  for  fuch  a  length 
of  time,  might  have  wrought  fome  effed  towards  polifhing  their 
manners,  and  exciting  in  them  at  lead  a  degree  of  imitative  in«' 
duftry;  but  it  is  really  aftonifhing  to  find,  that  thefe  caufes  have 
not  operated  to  their  civilization ;  they  are  at  this  day,  if  any  credit 
can  be  given  to  the  mod  modern  accounts,  but  little  divefled  of 
their  primitive  brutality ;  we  cannot  pronounce  them  infufceptible 
of  civilization,  fince  even  \k\  apes  have  been  taught  to  eat^  drink, 
repofe,  and  drefs,  like  men ;  but  of  all  the  human  fpecies  hitherto 
difcovered,  their  natural  bafenefs  of  mind  feems  to  afFof d  leaft  hope 

{^]  The  docilit)"  of  many  among  the  brute  creation^  is  a  fubject  ^hich. the. pride,  of  man  is 
not  very  fond  of  examining  with  a  too  critical  inveftigation ;  but  none  is  raoxe.CMrious;  the 
enquiry  is  humiliating  to  thofe  who  would  fondly  confider  man  as  ix)i!e/Gng  ibmethiiig.  of  an 
angelic  natui;e;  theythiqkit  degrades  them  to  allow  brutes  a  reafbaing  faculty ;  yetdbereare 
not  wanting  pa>o&  of  fomewhat  very  like  it,  efpecially  in  thofe  animals  with  whom  we  aic  moft . 
conyerlant,  and  therefore  have  mone  frequent  opportunities  of  ftudying.  Pppe^  moQe  &ee  in  his 
opinion,  calb  the  ekfhaut  ^*  half-reafoning ;"  the  relations  that  are  given  of  the  fenfibilTty  of  • 
this  animal  appear  to  many  perfons  almofl  incredible. 

Mr*  Tareem  affirms,  that,  when  he  was  at  Surat  in  175 1,  he  had  an  opportuqity  of  remarking 
one,  whoie  mafter  had  let  it  out  to  hire  for  a  certain  fum  fer  day.    Its  employment  was^  to  carry 
limber  for  building,  out  of  the  rirer;   which  bufinefs  it  difpatched  very  dextniufly  under  the. 
command  of  a  boy,  and  afterwards  laid  one  piece  upon  another  in  fuch  good  order,  that  no  man 
could  have  done  it  better.  •    | 

The  docility  of  monkeys  and  apes  is  ftill  fuperior.    One  of  the  latter,  trained  in  Fnuic^  was . 

not  long  fince  exhibited  in  London.   .He  performed  a  variety  of  equiUbies  on  the  wire  with  as 

much  expertnefi  as  the  moft  poted  bi^man  aitiAs  that  have  qpjieaied,  before  the  puUic  in  du$ 
Halt 

of 


BOOK   in.     CHA.P,  ±  ^77 

of  their  being  (except  by  miraculous  interpoficion  of  the  divine  Provi- 
dence) fo  far  refined  as  to  tAink^  as  well  as  aft  like  perfcB  men. 

It  has  been  faid,   that  the  nature  of  their  governments  is  unfa- 
vourable to  genius,    becaufe   they  tolerate  ,flavery;    but  genius   is 
manifejitd  in  the  right  frapie  of  government:    they  have  republics 
among  them  as  well  as  monarchies,  but  neither  have  yet  been  known 
produftive  of  civility,  of  arts,  or  fcicnces.     Their  genius   (if  it  can 
be  fo  called)  coniifts  alone  in  trick  and  cunning,  enabling  them, 
like  monkies  and  apes,  to  be  thieviOi  and  mifchievous,  with  a  pe- 
culiar dexterity.     They  feem  unable  to  combine  ideas,  or  purfue 
a  chain  of  reafoning;  they  have  no  mode  of  forming  calculations, 
or  of  recording  events  to  pofterity,   or  of  con;jmunicating  thoughts 
and  obfervations  by  marks,  charadtcrs,   or  delineation;   or  by  that 
method  fo  common  to  mod  other  countries  in  their  rude  and  primi- 
tive ages,   by  little  poems  of  fongs:   we  find   this  pradice  exifted 
formerly  among  the  -Egyptians,  Phoenicians,   Arabians,  Mexicans, 
and  many  others.     The  ancient  inhabitants  of  Brazil,   Peru,  Vir- 
ginia, St.  Domingo,  and  Canada,  preferred,  in  poems  of  this  Jiind, 
fuch  events  as  they  thought  worthy  of  the  knowledge  of  future 
times,  and  fung  them  at  their  public  feflivals  and  folemnities.  Arith- 
metick,  aftronomy,  geometry,  and  mechanicks,  were,  in  other  focie- 
ties  of  men,aniong  the  firft  fciences  to  which  they  applied  themfclves. 
The  origin  of  arts  and  fciences  in  other  countries  has  been  afcribed  to 
their  uniting  in  focieties,  inftead  of  leading  a  gregarious  life;  their 
neceflities,  the  inflitution  of  lavi^'s  and  government,  and  the  leifure 
which  thcfe  afforded   for  indulging  in  fuch  rcfearches.     Tt  may  be 
faid,   that  the  Negroes  are  not  afFedted  by  this  neceflity  which  has 
affedled  other  people  j    that  their  foil  is  wonderfully  productive ; 
that  their  country  abounds  with  food;    that  the  warmth  of  their 
climate  rriakes  cloathing  fuperfluous  ;    but  no   fuch   pretences  re- 
ftrained  the  South  Americans,   and  others  living  under  the  fame 
parallel  of  climate,  from  cloathing  themfclves. 

The  art  of  making  garments  was  invented  in  the  mildefl:  climates, 
where  there  was  the  leaft  need  of  any  covering  for  the  body;  neceflity 
alone  therefore  could  not  be  the  caufe  of  mens  cloathing  thcmfelves. 

The  Negroes  live  in  focieties;  fome  of  their. towns  (as  they  are 
called)  arc  even  faid  to  be  very  extenfivej  and  if  a  life  of  idlenefs 

Vol.  II.  C  c  c  implies 


378  JAMAICA. 

implies  leifure,  they  enjoy  enough  of  it.  In  regard  to  their  laws 
and  government,  thefe  may,  with  them,  be  more  properly  ranged 
under  the  title  of  cuftoms  and  manners ;  they  have  no  regulations 
dictated  by  forefight:  they  are  the  (imple  refult  of  a  revengeful 
iklfitti  fpirit,  pat  in  motion  by  the  crimes  that  prevail  among  them ; 
confequently  their  edidts  are  moftly  vindicative,  and  death  or  flavery 
the  almoft  only  modes  of  puni(hmcnt ;  they  fecm  to  have  no  polity, 
nor  any  comprchenfion  of  the  ufe  of  civil  inditutions.  Their  pu- 
niHiments  are  actuated  either  by  a  motive  of  revenge  or  of  avarice ; 
they  have  none  to  balance  the  allurements  of  pleafure,  nor  the 
ftrength  of  the  paffions,  nor  to  operate  as  incitements  to  induftry 
arid  worthy  adions.  In  many  of  their  provinces  they  are  often  re- 
duced to  the  utmoft  ftraights  for  want  of  corn,  of  which  they  might 
enjoy  the  greateft  abundance,  if  they  were  but  animated  with  the 
fmaliefl  portion  of  induftry.  If  no  rules  of  civil  polity  exift  among 
them,  does  it  not  betray  an  egregious  want  of  common  fenfe,  that 
no  fuch  rules*  have  been  formed  ?  If  it  be  true,  that  in  other  coun-^ 
tries  mankind  have  cultivated  (bme  arts,  through  the  impulfe  of  the 
neceflities  under  which  they  laboured,  what  origin  (hall  wc  give  to 
thofe  contrivances  and  arts,  which  have  fprung  up  after  thofe  ne* 
ceffities  were  provided  for?  Thefe  are  furcly  no  other  than  the 
refult  of  innate  vigour  and  energy  of  the  mind,  inquifitivet  inven- 
tive, and  hurrying  on  with  a  divine  enthuiiafm  to  new  attainments* 
The  jurifprudence,  the  cuftoms  and  manners  of  the  Negroes,  feem 
perfedly  fuited  to  the  mcafurc  of  their  narrow  intelieft.  Laws 
have  juftly  been  regarded  as  the  mailer-piece  of  human  genius  : 
what  then  are  we  to  think  of  thofe  focieties  of  men,  who  either 
have  none,  or  fuch  only  as  are  irrational  and  ridiculous  ? 

.Religion  and  Religious  Opinions  among  the  Negroes. 

They  are  faid  to  have  as  many  religions  almoft  as  they  have 
deities,  and  thefe  are  innumerable ;  but  fome  have  been  taught  to 
believe  the  exiftence  of  a  fupreme  God.  Thefe  fay  that  God  is 
partial  to  the  Whites,  and  treats  them  as  his  own  children,  but 
takes  pleafure  in  afflidting  the  Blacks  with  a  thoufand  evils ;  that 
they  are  indebted  to  him  for  nothing  but  (howers,  without  which 
the  earth  would  not  afford  them  provilions  i  but  even  in  this,  they 

alledge 


BOOK   HI.     CHAP.   I.  379 

alledge  Ke  is  only  the  undefigning  caufe,  and  fdr  the  efffed  they 
are  obliged  to  the  fertility  of  the  foil.  Man's  creation  they  affert 
to  have  happened  in  the  following  manner:  in  the  beginning, 
black  as  well  as  white  men  were  created ;  nay,  if  there  was  any 
diffcrende  in  time,  the  Blacks  had  the  priority.  To  thefe,  two  forts 
of  favours  were  prefcnted ;  to  the  Blacks,  gold ;  and  to  the  Whites, 
the  knowledge  of  arts  and  fciences.  It  was  from  choice,  that  the 
Blacks  had  gold  for  their  {hare :  and,  to  punifh  their  avarice,  it  was 
decreed  they  fhould  ever  be  flave^  to  the  white  m^n  ;  they  arc 
fully  perfuaded  that  no  country  but  Afric  produces  gold,  and  that 
Blacks  can  never  attain  the  knowledge  of  letters  [m]. 

The  Mocas  not  only  worfhip,  but  eat,  fnakes;  now  adore, 
and  prefently  devour,  their  deity.  In  this  however  they  are.not 
unexampled  by  fome  ftates  in  Europe ;  I  mean  thofe  pious  canibals, 
one  eflential  part  of  whofe  faith  it  is-  to  believe,  that  they  verily  and 
fubilantially  eat  the  flefli,  and  quaff  the  blood,  of  their  God. 

The  fnake  is  likewife  a  favourite  divinity  among  many  other  of 
the  Negroe  dates,  and  particularly  the  Whidahs.  In  1697,  a  hog 
that  had  been  teazed  for  fome  time  by  one  of  thefe  reptiles,  killed 
and  gobbled  it  up.  The  marbuts^  or  priefts,  went  with  their 
complaint  in  form  to  the  king;  and  no  one  prefuming  to  appear 
as  council  for  defendant  hog,  he  was  convidied  of  the  facrilege^ 
and  a  warrant  i^ued  for  a  general  maifacre  of  all  his  fpecies  through*^ 
out  the  kingdom.  A  thoufand  chofen  warriors,  armed  with  cut* 
laiTes,  began  the  bloody  execution  j  and  the  whole  race  of  fwine 
^ould  have  been  extirpated  from  Whidah,  if  the  king  (who  loved 
pork)  had  not  put  a  flop  to  the  dreadful  carnage^  by  reprefenting 
to  the  marbuts,  that  they  ought  to  reft.fatisfied  with  the  fevere 
vengeance  they  had  taken. 

Of  fome  Cu/loms  among  them. 

In  hot  climates,  bathing  is  one  of  the  highefl  luxuries ;  it  is  no 
wonder  then  that  we  £nd  their  inhabitants  univerfally  adopt  thijs 
agreeable  practice,  efpecially  as  cattle,  wild  beads,  and  other  qua- 
drijiped  animals,  ufe  it  for  their  refrefhment.  The  Negroes  teach 
their  children  to  fwim  at  a  very  tender  age;  hence  they  become 

,  [/»]  Boiman. 

C  c  c  2  expert 


3?o  JAMAICA. 

expert  divert,  and  are  able  to  continue  an  incredible  length  of  time 
under  water;  hence  too  they  incline  to  fix  their  dwellings  on  the 
fea  coaft,  or  the  banks  of  the  rivers,  to  fave  themfelves  the  trouble 
of  a  long  walk. 

In  thefe  climates  the  brute  creation  fly  to  flielter  from  the  rain; 
the  Negroes  likewifc  avoid  it  with  extreme  anxiety;  if  they  are 
catched  in  a  fhower  they  clafp  their  arms  over  their  heads  to  defend 
them,  run  with  all  the  fpeed  they  can  to  the  neareft  retreat,  and 
feem  to  groan  at  every  drop  that  falls  upon  them ;  to  preferve  their 
bodies  the  better  from  it,  they  rub  them  over  with  palm  oil, 
ad  the  aquatic  birds  befmear  their  plumage  with  the  oily  liquor 
exprefled  from  the  glands  which  nature  has  provided  them 
with.  Their  women  are  delivered  with  little  or  no  labour;  they 
have  therefore  no  more  occafion  for  midwives,  than  the  female 
oran-outang,  or  any  other  wild  animal,  A  woman  brings  forth  her 
child  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  goes  the  fame  day  to  the  fea,  and 
wafhes  herfelf.  Some  have  even  been  known  to  bring  forth  twins 
without  a  fhriek,  or  a  fcream;  and  it  is  feldom  they  are  confined 
above  two,  or,  at  mofl,  three  days. 

Immediately  before  her  labour  (he  is  condudled  to  the  fea  fide 
or  a  river,  followed  by  a  number  of  little  children,  who  throw  all 
manner  of  ordure  and  excrement  at  her  in  the  way,  after  which 
fhe  is  WAftied  with  great  care.  Without  this  cleanly  ceremony, 
the  Negroes  are  perfuaded  that  either  the  mother,  the  child,  or 
one  of  the  parents,  will  die  during'the  period  of  lying-in^  Thus 
they  feem  exempted  from  the  curfe  inflifted  upon  Eve  and  her 
daughters,  **  I  will  greatly  multiply  thy  Ibrrow;  in  forrow  flialt 
••  thou  bring  forth  children." 

Medicine. 

The  origin  of  the  invention  of  medicine  is  intirely  unknown; 
fome  afcribe.it  to  chance,  others  to  obfervation  on  the  coudud  of 
brute  animals ;  both  probably  combined.  We  know  that  the  Nor- 
thern Indians  difcovered  that  herb,  which  is  an  antidote  to  the 
venom  of  the  rattle  fnakc,  by  the  latter  means.  Brutes  are  bo- 
tanifts  by  inftindl;   whether  man  in  his  rude  (late  pofielTes  any 

fimilar 


BOOK  Iir.     CHAR  I.  381 

fimilar  inftinft  we  are  uninformed,   but  probability  Is  In  the  affir- 
mative. 

The  chief  medicaments  among  the  Negroes  are  lime  juice,  car- 
damoms, the  roots,  branches,  leaves,  bark,  and  gums  of  trees,  and 
about  thirty  different  herbs.  The  latter  have  been  experienced 
in  many  cafes  wonderfully  powerful,  and  have  fubdued  difeafes 
incident  to  their  climate,  which  have  foiled  the  art  of  European 
furgeons  at  the  fadlories.  However,  the  Negroes  generally  apply 
them  at  random,  without  any  regard  to  the  particular  fymptoms 
of  the  difeafe;  concerning  which,  or  the  operation  of  their  materia 
medicdj  they  .have  formed  no  theory. 

Efquemeling  relates,  that  when  he  and  his  companions  were 
amufing  themfclves  at  Cofta  Rica  with  fliooting  at  monkies,  if  one 
of  them  happened  to  be  wounded,  the  reft  flocked  about  him, 
and  while  fome  laid  their  paws  upon  the  wound,  to  hinder  the 
blood  from  iffuing  forth,  others  gathered  mofs  from  the  trees  (or 
rather  probably  fome  fpccies  of  AypticJu/igusJ  and  thruft  into  the 
orifice,  by  which  means  they  flopped  the  effufion.  At  other  tirne^ 
they  gathered  particular  herbs,  and,  chewing  them  in  their  mouth, 
applied  them  as  a  poultice;  all  which,  fays  he,  <'  caufed  m 
^  me  great  admiration,  feeing  fuch  ftrange  a<^ions  in  thofe  irra- 
**  tional  creatures,  which  teftified  the  fidelity  and  love  they  had 
«•  for  one  another." 

From  what  fource  did  thefe  monkies  derive  their  chirurgical  ikill 
and  knowledge  ?  From  the  fame,  no  doubt,  whence  the  Negroes 
received  theirs — the  hands  of  their  Creator ;  who  has  impartially 
provided  all  animals  with  means  conducive  to  their  prefervatioii, 

D/V/. 

Maize,  palm  oil,  and  a  little  ftinking  iirti,  make  up  the  general 
bill  of  fare  of  the  prince  and  the  (lave ;  except  that  they  regale 
themfelves,  as  often  as  they  can,  with  aqua  vita^  and  palm  wine  [^?], 
Their  old  cuftom  of  gormandizing  on  human  flefh  has  in  it  fome- 
thing  fo  naafeous,  fo  repugnant  to  nature  and  reafon^  that  it  would 
hardly  admit  of  belief,  if  it  had  not  been  attefted  by  a  multitude 
of  voyagers  j  fome  of  whom  affirm  to  have  been  eye-witneffes  of  it, 

[n]  Bnr.bor« 

and. 


382  JAMAICA. 

and,  what  is  ftornger,  by  report  of  Negroes  thcmfelves  imported 
from  that  continent  into  our  colonies  \o].  The  difficulty  indeed 
of  believing  it  to  be*  true,  is  much  leffened  vvhen  we  refleft  on  the 
fanguinary,  cruel  temper,  and  filthy  prad^ices  of  thefe  people,  in 
other  rcfpedls ;  many  Negroes  in  our  colonies  have  been  known  to 
drink  the  blood  of  their  enemies  with  great  apparent  rclifli ;  and  at 
Benin,  Angola,  and  other  kingdoms,  they  at  this  day  prefer  apes^ 
monkics,  dog's  flefli,  carrion,  reptiles,  and  other  fubftanccs,  ufually 
deemed  improper  for  human  food,  although  they  abound  with  hogs, 
Aeep,  poultry,  fifli,  and  a  variety  of  game  and  wild-fowl;  why 
Ihould  we  doubt  but  that  the  fame  ravenous  favage,  who  can  fcaft 
on  the  roafted  quarters  of  an  ape  (that  mock'-manjy  would  be  not 
lefs  delighted  with  the  fight  of  a  loin  or  buttock  of  human  flefh, 
j)repared  in  the  fame  manner?  This  opinion  muft  be  (Irengthened 
hy  confidering  the  idea  they  entertain  of  the  ape  fpecies;  for  they 
efieem  them  as  fcarcely  their  inferiors  in  humanity ;  and  fuppofe 
^hey  are  very  able  to  talk,  but  fo  cunning  withal,  that,  to  avoid 
v^orking,  they  dififemble  their  talent,  and  pretend  to  be  dumb. 

They  are  mofi:  brutal  in  their  manners  and  uncleanly  in  their 
diet,  eating  flelh  almoft  raw  by  choice,  though  intolerably  putrid 
^nd  full  of  meggots.  Even  thofe  that  inhabit  the  fea  coaft,  though 
well  provided  with  other  vidluals;  are  fo  ravenoas  that  t^ey  will 
devour  the  raw  guts  of  animals.  The  unhealthineis  of  ibme  of  the 
European  factories  here,  has  been  imputed  in  great  meafure  to  the 
abominable  cuftom  of  the  natives,  of  expofing  their  fi(h  to  the  fun 
till  they  become  fufficiently  {linking,  fly-blown,  and  rotten.  This 
caufes  a  ftench,  which  fills  all  the  atmofphere  in  the  neighbourhood; 
and,  though  infupportably  ofFenfive  to  the  Europeans,  it  does  not 

'  [o\  The  enilence  of  canibala  or  man-eaters  is  now  unquedionably  proved,  hy  the  late  dif- 
ocoveries  made  by  Mr.  Banks  and  Dr.  Solander,  in  their  voyage  to  the  South  Sea ;  where  they 
found,  in  the  country  called  Ne^-Zealand^  a  people  who  fed  upon  human  fleih.  The  author  of 
•<•  The  Origin  and  Progrefs  ef  laHguage^  fays,  he  is  well  informed  of  a  uation  in  the  inhmd  parts 
of  Africa^  where  human  flefti  is  expofed  to  fale  in  the  market,  as  beef  and  mutton  are  among  us ; 
this  agrees  with  the  accounts  which  have  been  formerly  given  by  (bme  travelers,  and  which 
.till  lately  have  not  met  with  much  credit;  for  this  incredulity,  the  before  mentioned  ingenious 
author  affigns  a  very  fufficient  reafon.  **  Thofe,  (ays  he,  who  judge  of  mankind  only  by  what 
**  they  fee  of  the  modern  nations  of  Europe,  are  not,  I  know,  difpofed  to  believe  this ;  hut 
^*  they  may  as  well  not  believe  that  there  are  men,  who  live  without  cloaths  or  houies  j  without 
**  corn,  wine,  or  beer;  and  without  planting  or  fowing,** 

z  fecm 


BOOK   III.     CHAP.   I-  383 

feem  to  affeft  the  Blacks  with  any  other  than  the  moft  delicious 
fenfations. 

At  their  meals  they  tear  the  meat  with  their  talons,  and  chnck 
it  by  handfulls  down  their  throats  with  all  the  voracity  of  wild 
Ueails ',  at  their  politeft  entertainments  they  thruft  their  hands  all 
together  into  the  di(h,  fometimes  returning  into  it  what  they  have 
been  chewing.  They  ufc  neither  table-cloths,  knives,  forks,  plates, 
nor  trenchers,  and  generally  fquat  down  upon  the  bare  earth  to  their 
repaft. 

Their  hofpitality  is  the  rcfult  of  fclf-love  5  they  entertain  ftrangers 
only  in  hopes  of  extracting  fome  fervice  or  profit  from  them ;  and 
in  regard  to  others,  the  hofpitality  is  reciprocal;  by  receiving  them 
into  their  huts,  they  acquire  a  right  of  being  received  into  theirs 
in  turn.  This  in  faft  is  a  fpecies  of  generofity  which  gives  no 
decifive  evidence  of  goodnefs  of  heart,  or  rectitude  of  manners, 
except  in  thofe  countries  where  no  advantage  is  expeded  to  be 
made  by  the  hoft. 

In  Abort,  their  corporeal  fenfations  are  in  general  of  the  groflcft 
frame;  their  fight  is  acute,  but  not  correfl ;  they  will  rarely  mifs 
a  (landing  objeft,  but  they  have  no  notion  of  fhooting  birds  on  the 
wing,  nor  can  they  projeft  a  ftraight  line,  nor  lay  any  fubftance 
fquare  with  another.  Their  hearing  is  remarkably  quick ;  their 
faculties  of  fmell  and  tafte  are  truly  beftial,  nor  lefs  fo  their  com- 
merce with  the  other  fex  ;  in  thefe  adts  they  are  libidinous  and 
fhamelefs  as  monkies,  or  baboons.  The  equally  hot  temperament 
of  their  women  has  given  probability  to  the  charge  of  their  ad- 
mitting thefe  animals  frequently  to  their  embrace.  An  example 
of  this  intercourfe  once  happened,  I  think,  in  England  [p];  and 
if  luft  can  prompt  to  fuch  excefles  in  that  Northern  region,  and  in 
defpight  of  all  the  checks  which  national  politenefs  and  refined 
fcntiments  impofe,  how  freely  may  it  not  operate  in  the  more  ge- 
nial foil  of  Afric,  that  parent  of  every  thing  that  is  monftrous  in 
nature,  where  thefe  creatures  are  frequent  and  familiar;  where  the 
paflions  rage  without  any  controul ;  and  the  retired  wildernefs  pre- 
fents  opportunity  to  gratify  them  without  fear  of  dete<ftion ! 

[/]  It  is  faid  the  lady  conceived  by  her  paramour,  which  gave  occafion  to  the  Stat.  2£  Hen.VIII. 
which  was  purpofely  extended  to  women,  m  well  as  naen. 

CHAP. 


384  JAMAICA. 

CHAP.     II. 

GuiNEY  Slaves. 

TH  E  part  of  the  African  continent  whence  the  Negroe  flaves 
are  tranfported,  begins  at  the  river  Scnaga,  and  terminates  at 
the  river  Quanza,  in  Angola;  comprehending  a  (hore  of  little  lefs 
than  2000  leagues  in  extent,  and  including  the  feveral  divilions 
before  enumerated. 

It  is  computed,  that,  for  thefe  hundred  years  part,  not  lefs  than 
40,000  have  been  fhipped  from  thence  every  year  upon  an  ave- 
rage ;  which,  if  true,  makes  the  whole  amount  not  lefs  than  four 
millions. 

It  is  a  matter  of  furprize  to  fome,  that  fo  large  and  coi\tinual  a 
drain  has  not  depopulated  this  country.  But,  independent  of  the 
prodigious  extent  of  Afric,  there  are  many  folid  reafons  given  why 
this  depopulation  has  not,  and  cannot  happen.  The  ftate  of  flavery 
in  ufe  here  does  not  hinder  depopulation,  as  it  doubtlefs  would  in 
a  civilized  part  of  the  world,  where  liberty  is  highly  prized.  A 
man  or  woman  of  fenfibility,  that  fenfibility  encreafed  by  reflexion, 
and  perhaps  ftudy,  would,  under  the  yoke  of  flavery,  be  deaf  to 
all  the  calls  of  inclination,  and  refufe  giving  being  to  wretches 
doomed  to  inherit  the  mifery  their  parents  feel  in  fo  exquifite  a 
manner.  The  idea  of  Jlavery  is  tofally  different  in  Afric.  Ex- 
clufivc  of  the  entire  abfence  of  keen  fenfation?,  the  flaves  of  a  fa- 
mily are  confidered  as  no  mean  part  of  it;  fcarce  any  of  them  arc 
Ibid,  except  for  very  great  crimes.  The  owners  are  full  as  careful 
of  bringing  them  up  as  their  own  children.  For  in  the  number  of 
their  flaves  confift  their  wealth,  their  pride,  and  dignity  ;  and 
therefore  they  fliew  an  attention  to  preferve  and  multiply  them, 
iimilar  to  that  of  an  European  merchant,  in  the  care  and  improve- 
ment of  his  money. 

Slaves  likewife,  who  have  any  abilities,  are  allowed  to  make  the 
moft  of  them;  by  which  means  they  grow  rich,  and  able  to  pur- 
chafe  flaves  for  themfelves;  in  this,  it  is  faid,  (I  know  not  with 
what  truth)  they  meet  with  no  interruption,  provided  they  ac- 
Jknowledge  their  fubfervience  from  time  to  time,  and  pay  a  tribute, 

or 


BOOK  Jll     CHAP/IL  385 

or  make  fatisfaftory  prefents  to  their  owner  and  his  defcendants. 
Elegance  of  thinking  finds  no  place  here;  the  air  is  foft,  the  food 
ftimulating,  and  the  paffions  unrcftrained.  Child-birth  is  attended 
with  little  or  no  danger  or  difficulty.  The  fruitfulnefs  of  the  foil 
leaver  no  room  to  fear  that  children  will  become  burdcnfome;  and, 
this  anxiety  being  removed,  nature  does  the  reft. 

Many  families  ally  themfelves  by  marriage  as  foon  as  the  children 
are  born,  without  any  other  ceremony  than  the  confent  of  parents 
on  both  fides.  Such  as  have  made  free  with  the  paffion  before 
marriagej  are  not  the  lefs  refpedled  by  their  hufbands,  or  the  public: 
on  the  contrary,  they  are  efteemcd  the  better  qualified  to  enter  into 
matrimony,  and  are  accordingly  often  preferred  to  abfolute  vefials. 

Scarcely  any  of  the  prifoners  taken  in  battle  are  now  put  to 
death,  but  are  almioft  all  fold,  and  brought  to  fome  part  of  the  coaft» 
Polygamy  univerfally  prevails,  and  contributes  greatly  to  popu- 
loufnefs.  Of  this  we  may  form  fome  judgement  from  Hafllequift*s 
account  of  Egypt;  he  informs  us  of  a  Turk,  who  by  feveral  wives 
had  40  children;  of  another  who  had  at  once  in  his  haram  feventy- 
feven  women  all  with  child  by  him  ;  and  a  third  who  had  by  eight 
wives,  in  ten  years,  eighty  children,  all  of  whom  lived  to  mature 
age.  But  to  produce  examples  of  the  like  kind  among  the  Negroe 
provinces;  Bofman,  in  his  account  of  Whidah,  mentions  that  he 
had  frequently  feen  fathers  who  had  upwards  of  two  hundred  chiU 
dren.  Upon  interrogating  a  certain  captain  of  the  king's  guards 
concerning  the  nunxber  of  his  faniily,  he  replied  with  a  figh,  that 
he  was  unhappy  in  that  particular,  not  having  above  feventy  living. 
Bofman  then  afked  him  how  many  had  died,  and  he  anfwered  {cvcnty. 
Thus  a  family  of  140  children  is  by  no  means  looked  upon  as  ex- 
traordinary [gj. 

Of  the  flavcs  (hipped  from  the  coaft,  not  a  fixth  part  are  women ; 
and  this  happens  from  there  being  fewer  female  criminals  to  be 
tranfporred,  and  no  female  warriors  to  be  taken  prifoners.  The 
number  of  females  born  exceeds  the  males,  and  though  fome 
Blacks  in  the  inland  countries  have  ten,  others  an  hundred  wives, 
yet  by  the  ftriifteft  enquiries  from  the  inland  merchants,  it  appears 
that  no  man. goes  without  a  wife  from  a  fcarcity  of  women ;  and  that 

Iq]  Mod.  Univ.  Hid.  vd.  xvit  p.  4024 

Vol.  II.  D  d  d  although 


386  JAMAICA. 

although  the  richcft  have  many  wives,  the  poorcft  are  not  thereby 
precluded  from  having  one  or  two;  in  (hort,  that  an  unpaired  man 
or  woman  is  feldom  or  never  feen. 

Thus  of  many  hindrances  to  population  in  Europe,  not  one  takes 
place  in  Afric ;  and  fuch  is  the  rapidity  of  propagation  here,  that  it 
fhould  feem  there  would  be  a  fuperabundance  of  inhabitants,  if 
the  flave  trade  did  not  take  fo  many  off.  Certain  it  is,  that  in  many 
parts  of  Afia  the  climate  and  other  circumftances  are  fo  much  more 
favourable  than  the  foil,  that  whilfl  the  people  multiply,  the  famines 
deftroy  J  for  this  reafon,  in  fome  parts  of  China,  fathers  fell  or  ex- 
pofc  their  fupernumerary  children.  It  fccms  from  hence  very  pro- 
bable,  that  Afric  not  only  can  continue  fupplying  the  Weft  Indies 
with  the  fame  quantities  as  hitherto  j  but,  if  ncccflity  required  it, 
could  fpare  thoufands,  nay  millions  more,  and  continue  doing  the 
fame  to  the  end  of  time,  without  any  vifible  depopulation. 

Thefe  circumftances,  together  with  the  incurable  ignorance  and 
unfkilfulnefs  of  the  natives^  fpread  over  a  country  of  fuch  extent, 
abounding  with  gold  and  a  multitude  of  other  rich  commodities, 
highly  prized  in  Europe,  feem  to  point  it  out  as  an  obje6l  of  mod 
valuable  commerce  to  the  trading  and  manufaduring  nations  of 
that  quarter;  we  find  accordingly,  that  Britain  alone  employs 
50,000  tons  of  (hipping  in  it,  and  imports  from  thence  to  the 
amount  of  above  half  a  million  fterling,  exclufive  of  the  ilaves. 

The  populoufnefs  of  this  country,  and  fpirit  of  the  people,  make 
it  reafonable  to  fuppofe,  that  the  conftitution  of  flavery  has  been  of 
fome  thoufand  years  exiftence  among  them.  Their  commerce  in 
ilaves  muft  be  fixed  exceeding  early.  Jofephus,  giving  an  account 
of  the  trade  carried  on  by  Solomon  [r]  with  Ophir,  which  he 
places  in  Africa,  mentions  that,  **  befides  gold  and  filver,*'  there 
were  brought  to  the  king,  "  i^  voXvg  lxi(pa^,  Al^iomg  t«,  iy  flrAxfli,'* 
^«  much  ivory.  Blacks^  and  monkeys,"  which  are  the  lan>c  com- 
modities that  form  the  chief  part  of  their  trade  at  this  day.  Solo« 
mon  however  had  no  occafion  for  any  great  number  of  Blacks  ; 
they  were  bought  perhaps  chiefly  for  attending  the  feraglios  of 
princes,  high-priefts,  and  other  great  officers  of  ftate;  or  for  adding 
variety  to  their  retinues.     Jn  fome  of  the  fubfequent  9ges>  from  die 

\r\  At»(Mit  the  year  before  Cbcift  lopcw 

decline 


BOOK  HI.      CHAP.' II.  387 

decline  or  ruin  of  thofe  petty  kingdoms  which  had  ufed  to  traffic 
with  them,  the  demand  grew  le(s  and  lefs,  until  the  Negroe  pro* 
vinces  had  no  communication  left,  except  with  their  neighbours, 
the  Arabs  and  Moors. 

The  want  of  more  extenfive  vent  for  their  fuperfluous  people, 
occafioned  thofe  horrid  methods  of  diminiQiing  them,  of  which  we 
read  m  biftory,  by  facrificing  them  to  their  fettiflies  and  great  men ; 
butchering  their  captives  in  war,  and,  in  moft  of  the  provinces, 
devouring  human  flefti  -,  which  perhaps  fupplicd  them  with  a  per- 
manent kind  of  food,  and  made  it  lefs  neceffary  for  them  to  break 
through  their  natural  abhorrence  of  labour,  and  take  the  pains 
cither  of  cultivating  the  earth,  or  laying  up  provifions  againft  un- 
feafonable  years.  Man*s  fleHi  was  then  in  fuch  cheap  eftimation 
among  them,  that  they  would  give  ten  or  twelve  flavfes  for  a  horfe : 
Luiiat  cites  an  example  of  one  being  fold  for  forty  (laves. 

The  Portuguefe,  who  were  the  earlieft  Europeans  of  "^the  modern 
ages  that  had  any  intercourfe  with  thefe  people,  and  firil  came 
ampng  them  about  the  year  1450,  found  flaves  an  eftablifhed  article 
of  their  inland  commerce  with  one  another,  and  hence  conceived 
the  idea  of  turning  this  local  medium  of  traffic  to  account,  by  pur- 
chafing  flaves  to  work  their  mines  in  South  America.  It  is  not 
improbable  too  that  they  thought  it  a  meritorious  aGt  to  refcue  fo 
many  human  viftims  from  fuffering  death  and  torture,  under  fuch 
idolatrous  and  favage  cuiloms ;  and  thus  make  their  private  gain 
compatible  with  the  fuggeftions  of  humanity  and  religion. 

It  was  the  South-weft  part  which  the  Portuguefe  firft  grew 
acquainted  with.  Many  years  pafied  before  the  Englifh  entered 
into  the  Aave  trade;  in  162 1,  when  captain  Jobfon  touched  at  the 
river  Gambia  in  the  North-weft  part,  the  inhabitants  offered  him 
^veral  (laves  in  exchange  for  goods;  but  he  refufed,  alledging 
»«  that  the  Englifli  did  not  trade  in  them  j*'  for  a  long  time  after, 
this  traffic  was  regularly,  adopted  by  many  of  the  different  European 
ftates,  fo  abundant  were  flaves,  and  fo  eager  the  natives  to  furnifh 
themfelves  with  brandy,  trinkets,  and  other  novelties,  that,  even  in 
.1730,  Snelgrave  tells  us,  he  purchafed  a  child  for  a  bunch  of  beads, 
worth  no  more  than  half  a  crown.     But,  to  fpeak  of  the  prefent 

D  d  d  a  ftate 


388  JAMAICA. 

ftate  of  this  trade,  the  rivalfhip  of  the  Europeans,  the  bad  manage- 
ment of  fome  faSorics,  and  the  overbidding  of  others,  have  opened 
the  eyes  of  the  crafty  natives  to  their  intereft,  and  foch  a  compe- 
tition being  extremely  favourable  to  their  avarice,  they  have  gra- 
dually railed  the  price  to  23  /.  and  24  /.  per  head  for  able  men  and 
women;  but,  rating  the  price  at  20/.  at  medium,  the  annual  profit 
to  the  Africans  is  800,000/.  fterling,  out  of  which  their  petty  fovc- 
reigns  on  the  coaft  draw  a  tribute,  by  way  of  capitation  tax  on  all 
that  arc  exported,  of  not  lefs  than  70  or  80,000/.;  the  moft  of 
which,  if  not  the  whole,  arifes  from  the  extrufion  of  thofc,  who, 
agreeably  to  the  primitive  frame  of  their  conftitution  and  ufages, 
would  but  for  this  trade  have  been  put  to  death,  and  fo  loft  to  their 
country,  without  any  refulting  benefit.  The  love  of  gain,  which 
enables  them  the  better  to  gratify  their  pride,  floth,  and  debauched 
inclinations,  animates  them  in  fupplying  the  trade  as  at  prefent 
conducted  j  and  although  it  may  lead  to  fome  ads  of  violence  and 
injuftice  among  them,  yet  it  has  lefiened  the  number  and  atrocity 
of  thefe  afts,  and  is  attended  with  fiich  pleaGng  consequences  to 
them,  that  it  is  probable  they  never  will  let  it  drop  willingly. 
The  flaves  in  general  are, 

1.  Such  as  are  captived  in  war. 

2.  Such  as  arc  fold  by  their  brutal  parents,  or  hofbands. 

3.  Native  flaves  fold  by  their  owners,  generally  for  fome  crime. 

4.  Such  as  are  free  born,  but  condemned  to  forfeiture  of  freedom 
for  fome  flagitious  ofl^ence. 

Of  the  latter  fort  there  is  a  great  number ;  fince  to  their  natural 
vices  is  fuperadded,  in  fome  provinces,  a  long  lift  of  conftrudivc 
crimes,  for  which  the  puniftiment  affigned  by  their  kings  and  great 
men  is,  a  fine  or  flavery. 

In  fome  places,  offences  of  all  forts^  except  treafon,  arc  atonable 
with  money ;  but,  that  being  deficient,  the  penalty  is  flavery.  In 
others  all  crimes  and  offences,  great  and  fmal!>  are  punifhcd  with 
jpavcry. 

An  owner  here  has  the  abfolute  dominion  over  his  flaves,  their 
bodies,  life,  and  goods,  as  the  kings  have  over  thofc  of  their  vaffals* 
He  may  kill  or  fell  his  flaves  and  their  children  at  pleafure ;    and 

parents 


BOOK   III.     CHAP.   II.  389 

parents  confider  their  own  offspring,  as  creatures  wholly  in  their 
power,  to  be  difpofed  of  juft  as  they  think  proper.  The  children 
uniformly  follow  the  condition  of  their  mother :  if  (he  is  a  flave, 
they  continue  fuch,  though  the  father  be  free.  All  their  work  is 
performed  by  their  women  and  ilaves,  and  the  latter  are  in  place  of 
beafts  of  burthen.  Hence  the  chief  riches  among  all  the  Negroe 
Hates  confift  in  the  number  of  their  flaves.  If  they  treat  them  at 
any  time  with  particular  indulgence,  it  appears  to  arifc  folely  from 
the  advantages  derived  from  their  fervice,  and  the  fear  of  their 
elopement;  but  the  third  offence  of  this  fort  is  punifhed  by  death, 
or  fale  to  the  traders,  at  the  pleafure  of  their  owner;  their  care  of 
the  children  of  their  flaves  is  founded  upon  the  fame  intereftcd 
motive ;  for  thefe  are  their  wealth :  and  many  breed  flaves,  like 
cattle,  to  make  profit  by  the  fale  of  them,  either  to  the  more  opu* 
lent  natives,  or  to  the  Black  or  White  traders.  Before  the  Euro- 
peans traded  to  this  coafl,  their  flaves,  as  well  as  prifoners  of  war, 
lifed  to  be  facrificed  to  their  divinities ;  flaughtered  or  buried  alive 
at  the  funerals  of  their  princes  and  chief  men,  and  at  all  great 
feafls.  Slaves  and  prifoners  were  indifcriminately  devoured;  and 
in  fome  provinces  were  regular  markets,  at  which  the  aged  and 
infirm  were  publicly  fold  for  thefe  ufes.  There  is  even  fome  reafbn 
to  believe,  that  in  the  interior  countries  thefe  cuftoms  ftill  prevail 
in  a  degree,  though  much  fewer  are  butchered  than  formerly.. 
Indeed,  the  profits  by  felling  in  trade  all  thofe  whom  formerly  they 
ufed  to  put  to  death,  in  fo  many  various  modes,  and  for  various 
caufes,  either  from  revenge  or  fuperflition,  for  food  or  amufemenf, 
are  fogreat^i  that  it  is  probable  but  very  few  of  their  flaves,  prifoners^ 
and  criminals,  are  now  put  to  death.  As  they  confider  their  flaves 
merely  as  their  neceffary  beafls  during  life,  fo  they  treat  their  bodies 
with  no  mark  of  humanity  after  their  deceafe.  In  moft  of  the 
provinces  they  do  not  beftow  even  interment  upon  them,  but  thraw 
their  carcalTes  in  any  open  place,  and  leave  tliem  a  prey  to  wild 

*  *       « 

animals;  in  a  few  places  only  they  cover  them  with  earth,  but 
without  any  ceremony. 

The  emoluments  they  draw  from  their  flaves,  in  one  vvay  or 
other^  operate  as  a  perpetual  incentive  to  their  encouraging  popuk- 

'  tibft 


390  JAMAICA. 

tioii  (already  fo  favoured  in  feveral  local  circumftances,  as  has  been 
mentioned)  to  the  uttnoft  of  their  power;  in  order  that  they  naay 
never  want  a  fufficient  number  for  their  domeftic  fervices,  for  agri- 
culture, and  other  purpofes  ;  befides  enough  of  fupernumeraries^  to 
fupport  and  augment  their  revenues  arifing  from  trade  with  the 
Europeans.  Slaves  may  therefore  be  now  conlidered  with  them, 
^(Xn2L\Jiaple produSis^  as  much  as  wool  and  corn  are  to  Great  Britain. 
They  have  gained  by  this  means  a  conftant  vent  for  all  their  rogues 
and  vagabonds  ;  and  the  tranfportation  of  them  is  fb  far  from  being 
a  burthen  to  their  ftates,  as  the  cafe  is  with  refpeft  to  the  Europea^j 
nations,  that  it  is  highly  lucrative  to  them.  Thus  they  are  relieved 
from  their  vileft  criminals,  with  a  large  profit  into  the  bargain ; 
whilft  the  European  plantations  in  America  are  made  the  common 
receptacle  of  thefe  abandoned  outcafts ;  and  are  become  as  ufeful  to 
the  African  provinces,  as  icavengers  to  a  dirty  town,  or  Virginia  and 
Maryland  to  Britain.  It  is  clear,  that  the  African  dates  have  juft  as 
jgood  right  as  any  European  power,  to  banifh  their  criminals  to 
other  parts  of  the  world  that  will  receive  them ;  it  is  certainly 
agreeable  to  the  principles  of  humanity,  that  captives  alfo  fhould 
be  exiled,  rather  than  cruelly  tortured  to  death;  and  by  banifhment 
of  all  thefe  vi^Jiims  for  life,  they  reap  this  fure  benefit,  that  they 
are  effeftually  prevented  from  returning  to  repeat  j^ain  their  former 
courfe  of  criminal  or  hodile  praftices  ;  nor  is  the  indemnification 
for  thefe  pradices  trifling,  which  accrues  to  the  refpedive  dates, 
from  the  fale  of  their  bodies  to  the  Europeans. 

In  England,  multitudes  are  hanged,  and  many  more  fcnt  to  the 
plantations  and  fold  into  flavery;  fome  for  a  term,  others  for  life. 
Such  as  ar«  executed,  can  no  longer  commit  injury  nor  do  good ;  but 
of  the  many  hundred  wretches  t ran fported,  many  find  methods  of 
teturning,  and  generally,  if  xiot  univerfally,  follow  the  fame  trade  of 
villainy  as  before,  till  they  fufi^er  the  ulthnum  jus  of  hanging.  It 
may  be  faid  of  our  Englifh  tranfported  felons,  as  of  the  Negroe  cri- 
minals, that  neither  of  them  go  into  a  voluntary  baniQiment;  but 
it  muft  be  allowed,  that  the  Africans  may  with  equal  jufticc  fell 
dieir  convifts,  as  the  Englifti  fell  theirs ;  and  equally  well  veft  a  legal 
right  to  their  fervice  in  the  purchafers.  The  argument  that  fome  are 
wrongfully  punilhedin  this  way,  is  nothing  to  the  purpofe ;  it  holds 

equally 


BOOK    III.      CHAP.    IL  39r 

equally  rcfpe£Hng  each  government ;  for  how  many  examples  have 
we  continually,  of  innocent  perfons  condemned  to  death  or  banifh* 
ment  in  England,    upon  falfe  evidence?  and  if  this  occurs,  as  it 
frequently  does,  in  a  country  that  boafts  of  its  righteous  laws,  and 
equitable  forms  of  juftice  5  we  ought  not  to  be  furprized,  that  the 
fame  events  happen  in  Africa,  where  Ju (lice  is  fo  ill  adminiftered 
through  the  natural  barbarity  of  the  people.     Exclufive  therefore  of 
this  argument,  the  African  ftates  iiaving  the  power  of  difpcnfing 
life  or  death ;  they  are  likewiie  empowered  to  regulate  the  conditiofi 
upon  which  life  is  granted,  where  it  has  been  adjudged  by  their  forms 
of  proceeding  to  be  forfeited  to  their  laws,  or  cuftomary  ufages*     It 
may  juftly  then   be  queftioned,  whether  this  bani(hnient  is  to  be 
termed  involuntary ;  fince  the  parties,  knowing  what  muft  be  the  in^ 
evitable  penalty  of  their  doing  lb  or  fo,   might  have  avoided  falling, 
under  it ;  but  by  committing  offences  to  which  the  penalty  is  annex> 
cd,  they  wilfully  fubjeft  themfelves  to  the  confequential  punifhment^ 
which  is   no  other  than   flavery,  perpetual  or  temporary,  at  the 
pleafure  of  their  purchafers ;  to  whofe  difcretion  the  fellers  have 
left  it.     But  although  it  is  well  known  that  ninety-nine  out  of  one 
hundred  of  the  ilaves  (hipped  from  Africa,  are  now  convidled  felons> 
who(e  lives  were  forfeited,  and  whofe  puni(hment  has  been  com- 
muted for  flavery  to  the  Europeans  ;  this  fadl  is  denied,  upon  ^  £up^ 
po(ition,  '*  that  Africa  could  not  have  fo  many  felons  yearly  as  there 
**  are  flaves  thus  fold***     To   elucidate  this,  let  us  only  confider,. 
that  Great  Britain  has  above  two  thoufand  convidled  felons  yearly  ; 
Africa  does  not  fell  any  thing  near  two  hundred  thoufand   flaves 
yearly;  yet  that  would  be  only  in  the  proportion  of  one  hundred  to 
one;  and  Africa  is  not  only  one  hundred,  but  perhaps  one  tboufat^d 
times  larger  and  more  populous  than  Great  Britain*    It  would  not 
be  wonderful  then,  if  from  thence  were  to  be  (hipped  every  year 
two  hundred  thoufand  convifts  ;  thefe  in  fa<St  would  be  juft  fo  many 
lives  faved,  and  rendered  u(eful  to  the  community;  which  advantages 
would  be  wholly  loft,  were  the  flave  trade  univerfally  given  up  ;  for 
as  the  Africans  are  naturally  thieves  and  villains,  though  flavery  is 
the  certain  puni(hment  now  on  their  eonvi<5lionv  the  breaking  up  of 
the  flave  trade  might  indeed  alter  the  puni(hment  to  that  of  death,. 
but  would  not  reform  them  ;.  and  thiit  this  would  be  the  fure  confe- 

quence^ 


592  JAMAICA. 

quence,  may  be  judged  from  the  well- attefted  fad,  that  if  the  ilaves 
which  the  Africans  bring  to  market  are  fo  old  or  blemiflied,  that 
they  cannot  get  what  they  think  a  fufficient  price  for  them,  they 
will  cut  their  throats  before  the  faces  of  the  Europeans  [jj.  To  abolilh 
this  trade,  is  therefore  no  other  than  to  refign  them  up  to  thofe  dia- 
bolical butcheries,  cruelty,  and  carnage,  which  ravaged  their  pro- 
vinces before  the  European  commerce  with  them  began. 

It  appears  from  the  fulleft  evidence,  that  the  provinces  bordering 
upon  the  coaft  do  not  fend  any  of  their  own  natives  into  banifli- 
ment,  unlefs  for  atrocious  crimes ;  the  major  part  are  brought  from 
the  interior  parts,  where  thefe  ilaves  are  an  eftablifhed  article  of 
traffic ;  fome  few  captives  of  war,  the  reft  convifts,  or  crimiaal  per- 
sons, born  in  a  ftate  of  pure  flavery  ;  and  over  whom  their  owners 
exercife,  agreeably  to  their  ufage  and  conftitutions,  the  moft  abfolute 
will  and  power. 

We  are  informed,  that  the  Black  merchants  travel  many  hundred 
miles,  and  colleft  them  from  the  utmoft  extremities  of  Afric ;  great 
numbers,  fold  from  Angola,  having  been  brought  from  the  interior 
parts  of  ^Ethiopia,  on  the  borders  of  the  Indian  ocean;  and  at  Sabi, 
and  in  other  provinces,  inland,  regular  markets  are  held,  where  arc 
to  be  fold  men,  women,  children,  hogs,  (heep,  goats,  &c.  in  com- 
mon. We  find  therefore,  that  thefe  fupplies  are  drawn,  by  a  variety 
of  channels,  from  every  part  of  this  extcnfive  continent ;  every  pro- 
vince contributing  a  few;  fo  that  by  the  time  thefe  fcveral  quotas  are 
affembled  at  the  coaft,  or  grand  fliipping-place,  they  may  well 
amount  to  a  very  confiderable  multitude. 

If  a  Negroe,  fo  purchafed,  fliould,  upon  being  tranfplanted  into  a 
country  where  freedom  is  truly  underftood,  afpire  to  get  free  from 
that  bondage  in  which  he  has  always  lived,  or  to  which  the  judge- 
ment of  his  fociety  has  decreed  him ;  I  acknowledge  there  are  no 
means  of  preventing  his  attempts,  but  by  an  exertion  of fohce.  Few 
men  (except  thofe  Africans  who  live  in  their  own  country  in  a  ftate 
of  fervility)  are  without  the  defire  of  enlargement.  Thefe  Africans 
know  not  what  freedom  is,  until  they  enter  our  colonies;  and  there- 
fore can  have  no  paffion  for  a  ftate,  whofc  qualities  they  are  igno- 
lant  of.     In  regard  to  other  countries,  and  other  men,  the  laws  of 

[i]  Treatife  on  the  Trade  from  Great  Britain  to  Afrka,  s  77 !• 

different 


seJb'aittt*  ypfeit.ifr«.>  In  E-ogland,  for  example,  the  common  labourers; 
areQ^lig<4;  by  ferC^  of  penal  luilltotions,  to^reraeia  content  with  a 
v^QCiUwiM. portion  of  liberty.  The, felons  baniftied  to.  Arnerica 
u»h14  fi»»  ^V^ip.^mr  f^^teuce, :  if  Dfii  co^Q,x^vtei  t^  obedience  .by[ 
i»p«ru)r  ftr«*0^h>.  Without  ?his  x«rb(,  .fto  inftn  yxq^ld  fufFer  ilil^fplf 
to:be  dfeprivodieftibr?  p€rfep4  frW^pm^for  debt;  ho.  feamaii :  v^puld 
iUbmit  tO;be  preiled,  no  foldier  to  be  retained  in  the  fervice^  i>o 
highwayman  to  be  hanged.  A  labo^urer  in  England  ne-ver  confented 
tothe.lawii  ;Wliicli  inipafc  reftrii^ions ,npon  him;  bat  there  is  in 
cverjr  govcrnmeiU  a  certaip  iuprepaie  co^rouliugpower^  inx^lAjided  in 
t^  foci^jcojnpai^,  having  the  energy  of  law^  ,or.  publiQied  and  de-^ 
glared  as  thj^jlaw  of  the  land  ;  by  which  ev?ry  .member  of  the  cpin^ 
munity,  higl)  and  low,  rich  and  poor,  is  refpedively  bound:  it  is  in 
truth)  an  afibqiation  of  the  opulent  and  the  good,  for  better  preferving 
^heil;,:ac9HJf^ioas^Jg^^^^  pocxc  ^  tl^e  wicked.    For  want, 

cqmplicat^clrwith^ifery  and  viqet^  generally  feeks  relief  by.  plunder^ 
ing.from.thofe  whd are. bettpr  provided-.  An  Afripan  is  as  much 
bound  by  this. fuprprpe.povwer,  as  thg  Eqglilh  labourer^       .,;,j,  . 

If  then  every  African  ftate  has  from  the  earlieft  ages,  as  far  as  we 
can  trace^not  only  tolerated  a  property  in  men,  but  aflerted  and  exer*- 
cifed  a  right  of,  felling  their  eriaxjpjls^  flaves  of  war>  and  native 
flaves^  toftny  one  thatwp^  buy  ^m^  in  this  transfer  is  implied  as 
i»uoh  right  of  property  in  tfie.  vep4?e,  ,as  in  the  yender :  ^no  one 
qucftioiis  in  thjit  countnr,  iio^;  wep  tj^e  ^fjminals  apd  flaves  them* 
ieives,  this  right  of  ifeUmg,  and  acquiring  a  property ;  it  is  univer*. 
fally  acknowledged;  nor  is  the  will  of  the  pafty  fold>  ever  confulted; 
lie  adqtiits  thq  VjC^Kler's  right,  as  part,  of  the  law  or  ufage  of  his  fo- 
ciety  J  w^  thia  p;r^clud^B.  all  idea  oiF  illegal  dure/s^  and  proves  that  the 
right  of  pcxfonal  property  <M/er  fuch>  as  are  purchalcd  out  of  a  flate 
of  pure  flavery,  is  ^awfully  continued  to  the  fubfequept  owners.: 

No  one  doubts,  but  that  every  contrad  made  in  Afric  for  the  pur- 
xhafe  of  a  flave,  is  there  underftood  by  the  three  parties,  the  buyer, 
the  feller,  and  the  perfon  fold,  j^  be  perfedljy  firm  and  valid  ;  the 
one  knov^s  what  he  Wy$y  the.  other  what  he  fells,  and  the  third, 
..that  vhif  fqrvices  are  tl^m*  become  tranfla^ed  to  his  new  Qwner ;  he  is 
cpnfciou^  liliewifey  - t^t  he  hin^felf  would  acquire  the  fame  right, 
.   Voju  ,11.  E  c  e  fliould 


394  JAMAICA. 

ftould  he  ever  become  a  flave-holder ;  accordingly  we  are  told,  that 
in  certain  provinces,  the  (laves  are  permitted  to  grow  rich  enough  tx> 
become  themfelves  the  buyers  and  proprietors  of  flaves.  The  com* 
mencement  of  this  bondage  therefore  in  Afric  is  fo  very  far  from 
being  illegal,  that  (reipe£ting  the  laws  and  cuftoms  of  that  conti* 
nent)  it  is  univetfally  admitted  and  fan£tified  by  publick  notoriety, 
eftablifhed  ufage,  and  the  general  full  confent  of  all  the  inhabitants. 
Surely,  a  voyage  from  Afric  to  any  other  country,  where  this  claim 
of  property  is  continued,  cannot  diflblve  the  bargain. 

In  regard  to  captives  of  war,  fold  as  flaves,  it  appears  that  they 
come  under  that  Hate  by  ah  aft  of  their  own,  which '  cannot  Be 
deemed  otherwife  than  voluntary.  It  is  evident,  frorn  the  hiftory 
we  have  of  the  Negroe  ftates,  that  the  moft  potent  among  them 
cannot  pretend  to  be  enfured  from  flavery  ;  for  it  may  become  the 
lot  of  every  one  that  ventures  a  battle.  It  is  confiftent  with  every 
maxim  of  equity,  reafon,  and  juftice,  that  a  perfon  reduced  to  this 
clafs,  to  which  he  intended  reducing  his  conqueror,  docs  (on  the 
principle  of  enflaving,  or  of  being  enflaved)  fubmit  knowingly 
and  voluntarily  to  the  event.  Among  Chriftian  princes  at  war  with 
each  other,  Grotius  obferves,  that  this  praftice  of  enflaving  prifoners 
has  entirely  ceafect.  But  ftill  fome  fliadow  retnains  among  them 
of  the  original  power,  which  the  viftors  excrcifed  over  their  capH^es. 
Their  perfonal  liberty  is  rcftrained,  until  they  either  bind  thehlfelves 
not  to  refume  arms,  or  ufitil  a  valuable  ccJiilideration  is  paid  for 
their  enlargement ;  this  confifts  either  of  a  pecuHiaty  rahfom,  of  ah 
exchange  of  man  for  mais  which  is  the  fame  as  giving  valcfe  for 
value.  It  is  faid,  that  a  Negroe  chieftain  fpares.  the  Kfe  of  his 
captive,  which  (hews  (according  to  the  civilians)* that  he  i^ufider  no 
abfolute  neceflity  of  killing  hini*.  But  who  is  to  be  judge  of/tlirs 
neceffity,  the  civilians  br  the  chieftain?'  This  proves  oiily*  d  ccwnfi- 
mutation  of  the  mode,  by  which  the  chieftain  fteks  to'  be  rid  6f, 
and  to  deprive  his  enemy  of  further  capacity  to  do  him  hurt.  His 
rage  and  his  fear&  ufed  formerly  to  meet  fatisfedlon  by^  two  ways, 
either  by  puttmg  him  to  cruel  death,  or'  by  holding  him  in  ftrift 
bondage ;  thefe  both  fecured  him  from  foture  attacks.  '  If  lie  fpafefd 
his  life  for  a  time,  it  was  only  to  itaake  hirii  drag  oti  >  rriifei-able 
exigence,  undercontihual  hard  treatment;  and  by  alingiritigHifiery 

adnltnifter 


BOOK    III.      CHAP.    II.  S95 

adminiftcr  more  zeft  to  implacable  vengeance.  This  was  the 
cuftom  before  the  Europeans  vifited  the  coaft.  But  this  trade  di- 
verted the  thirft  of  blood,  and  the  refinements  of  malice,  into  the 
love  of  gain  ;  and  now  the  praftice  of  banifhment  not  only  gratifies 
thjis  powerful  incentive,  but  confults  their  fecurity  equally  well  as 
the  ahticnt  niode,  by  removing  their  enemies,  and  effedually  pre- 
venting their  repetition  of  hoftility . 

They,  as  well  as  the  Europeans,  confider  their  prifbner  as  one 
who  is  to  be  redeemed  with  a  price.  They  hold  his  body  as  their 
^biblute  property ;  and  the  prifoner,  from  the  moment  of  his  cap- 
tivity, as  well  as  before  he  was  made  a  prifoner,  knows  the  full 
latitude  of  that  power ;  he  is  confcious  there  is  a  price  fixed  upon 
his  head ;  if  he  is  redeemed  from  death  by  his  countrymen,  he  is 
^nfible  that  he  becomes  juflly  their  debtor,  and  no  lefs  fo  if,  hi& 
countrymen  refufinjg  to  ranfbm  him,  he  is  redeemed  by  others.  Wc 
form  an  erroneous  idea  of  the  Negroes,  if  we  fuppofe  that  they  prefer 
death  to  life ;  or  that,  upon  the  choice  being  qffered,  they  would  not 
rather  be  perpetual  fervants  to  a  man  of  tolerable  humanity,  than  be 
mangled  and  butchered  by  their  inhuman  conquerors.  But  without 
entering  into  the  fubtle  diflinftions  of  civilians,  which  would  lead 
us  too  far,  it  is  certain,  that  the  Negroe  ftates  at  prefent  encounter 
with  each  other,  with  a  view  chiefly  ta  acquire  as  many  flaves  as  they 
can :  flaves  being  their  real  wealth,  whether  retained  for  their  own 
uie,  fold  to  other  Negroe  ftates,  or  to  foreigners ;  and  all  parties 
among  them  well  underftanding  this  to  be,  if  not  the  motive,  at  leafl 
the  fure  ifllie,  of  all  the  wars  in  which  they  engage,  tbey  cannot  be 
faid  to  fuffer  injuftice  who  meet  with  that  fat«,  which  they  either 
defign  for  others,  or  have  reafbn  to  expe£t  themfelves. 

It  is  faid,  that  many  are  kidnapped  into  our  plantations*  This 
however  is  a  faft  which  wonts  to  be  proved.  The  trade  is  not  now; 
to  be  eftimated  by  the  manner  in  which  it  was  originally  carried  on 
fwhen  irregular  rovers  of  many  nations  made  defcents  upon  the 
coaft),  but  as  a  regularly  conducted,  and  eftabliflied  plan.  Our  a£ls 
pf  {laUi^ment,  and  th^  African  c(unpany,  ftriclly  prohibit  the  buying 
any  pamard  or  ftolen  Negroe^  under  fevere  penalties ;  and. the  flaves 
taught  l^y  the  fa£to]:ies  always  undergo  a  review  of  the;  chief  men  ot 
tljjB  plf^9^  to  prevent  any  fuch  being  Ihipped  off;  their .  interefl: 

£  e  e  2  ^  makes 


'   •;«. 


39^  JAMAICA. 

makes  this  caution  neceffary,  bccaufe  very  difagreeable  confeqnenccg 
might  enfue  to  the  trade,  if  it  (hould  be  ilegleded ;  for,  many  J^ears 
ago,  when  any  violences  of  this  nature  were  praAifed,  they  not  only 
put  a  ftop  to  commerce  at  the  particular  place  where  they 
happened,  but  alarmed  the  neighbouring  diftrifts ;  and  fuch  itijurie4 
were  ufually  retaliated  upon  innocent  navigators,  who  afterwards 
touched  there,  and  were  often  furprized  and  murthered  by  the  na- 
tives, Almoft  every  a£l:  of  this  fort,  perhaps,  has  thus  been  atoned 
for  at  the  price  of  blood ;  and  it  is  therefore  highly  improbable  that^ 
under  thefe  circumftances,  any  fuch  thefts  can  at  prefent.  be  com- 
mitted ;  nor  would  any  planter  knowingly  purchafe  Negroes  ob- 
tained in  that  furreptitious  manner,  through  a  juft  fear,  that  tfaey 
would  either  fhorten  their  lives  with  pining  after  their*  friends  and 
country,  or  take  every  opportunity  of  eloping  from  him;  events 
which  he  has  not  equal  reafon  to  expeft  from  exiles,  whom  their 
country  his  renounced,  and  vomited  forth; 

Banifliment  bei'ng^now  fubftituted'thmtighout  moft  part  of '^hi 
N*egroe  f^Vrjtbry  i)i  Afrid,  'in  place  cff  death ;  it  is  hot  furpriiziftg, 
that  the  conyi<Sls  and  captives  entfertain'h6rrid  notib^i  df'iti'and 
often  ftruggle  for  relief  before  they  quit  the  coaft.  Many  of  them, 
it  is  probable,  when  they  have  comrnitted  faults,  Vvcre  threateiled  to 
be  fold  to  the  Europeans';  i and  thk*  rhenace  may  be  bften  yifed,  ds  thfe' 
name  of  Marlboroagh  was  by  Vo'men  in  France/  to'  fVighten  their 
children  fnto  good  behavioilr;  ^  Perceiving*  that  tKK'li  the^'igcneraV 
courfc 'tff  punifhmeht,  mfliftic!  dttVery  ^irapltal  tFiitifei,  they  natu- 
rally apprehend  it  to  be  a -moft  fevere  and  cruel  penafty.  This  ap- 
prehe'nfion  muft  dwell  upon  thei^ minds  the  more,.ais  they  remain 
ignorant  of  the  fite  whieli  has  attended -the  many  other  thoqfand 
exiles,,  their  predecefibt-Sj|  likkie  6/.' whom  i^eturn  tb  telF  the  tafi;  'fix 
ihit^  ho  doubt,  theif  imaglniiilkiiispdihV'the  diange  in:  the  tnpft  teV^' 
rific  c6lours. ' ' ' "^hefe  prejudfies ' lire  ftVengtKenea  b^ 'the'  heceffity* 
there  is  for  treating  them  a^s  c6i>denihed  criminals  and  yiiflims,,* 
from  the  time  of  their  firft  'delivefy  intb-  the  hands  of  tKe  Nbgrpe 


are  fliacfei^ardt^thc  Hfai  'tMor^'ari^hyBim- Mi^ 

tne  lik^  treatmehiv    Thefe-pwciiijftiohii  ire 'il^uHotrs' to  tlicii'''fieiKh» 


BOOK  Hi.  CfiAp.  ir.  397 

*       * 

and  coriftquently  to  thfe  intereft  of  the  traders  ;  but  they  feem  in- 
evitable. The' many  nfts  of  violence  they  have  committed^  by 
murdering  whole  crews,  and  deftroying  (hips,  when  they  had  it  left 
in  their  power  to  do  fo,  have  made  this  rigour  wholly  chargeable  on 
their  own  bloody  and  malicious  difpofition,  which  calls  for  the 
fame  confinement  as  if'  th6y  were  wolves  or  wild  boars. 

Several  of  the  Negroes  imported  into  our  colonies,  having  been^ 
qiieftioned,  as  foon  as  they  had  Iftarned  Englifh  enough  to  be  under- 
ftood,  what  opinion  they  had  conceived  in  Afric  of  their  future  defti- 
nation  among  the  white  people;  it  appeared  from  their  anfwer,  that 
foitic  of  thefe  poor  wrfetche^  believe  that  they  are  bought  in  order  to 
be  fattened,'. roafted*;  and  eaten.  Others fuppofe,  th^t  the  Europeans 
biiy  thejn  to  *  make  guiVpowdeV  of  their  bones;  and  Du  Pratz  fays,. 
that  the  French  Negroes  imbibe  a  notion  from  their  infancy,  that  the 
white  men  buy  them  to  drink  their  blood ;  which,  he  tells  us»  is 
owing  to  this ;  that  when  the  firll  Negroes  faw  the  Europeans  drink 
red  wihe,'they  imagihed'it  was  blood ;  fo  that  nothing  but  experience 
caheradicate  thefe  falft  terrors:  but  as  none  of  the  flavcs,  who  have 
had  that  experience,  ever  return  to  their  own  country,  fo  the  fame 
prejudices  continue  to  fiibfifton  thecoaftof  Guiney,  where  they  are 
purchafed.  Some,  who  are  ftrangers  to  the  manner -of  thinking 
among  the  Negroes,  imagine,  that 'this  can  be  of  no  bad  confequence.. 
But 'ther^  are  many  examples  of  the.  contrary,  efpecially  if  the. 
N^egroeS,  pii  their :firft' arrival,  nieet  with  no  other  (lave  who  can. 
talk  fhcir  dialedl,  ';^nd  qmef  their  fears;  for  thefe  have  ofteiicaufed 
fometo  hang  or  drown  themTelves^  and  others  to  run.  away. 

To  thefe  prejudices  niay  be  afcVibcd  the  reluftance  they  fo  pften 
manifeft,^  on  leaving  Afric.  They  who  are  fold  for  heinous  crimes,, 
as  well  as  others  who  are  fpld  for  trivial,  faults,  or  perhaps  no  fault 
at  all,  are  equally  fuiceptible  of  theTe  apprehenfions.*  The  merely 
leaving  their  country,  can  work  no  fuch  efie£t  on  the  minds  of  thole 
who  are  (enfible  that,  if  they  had  remained  in  it,  or  fhould  return  to 
it  again:,  they  muft  inevitably  fufFer  death.  Snelgrave  mentions,  that 
wheahe  \yas  on  the  coiaft,  in  lyio^^the  king  of  Old  Calabar,  falling 
lick,  caufed  (by  adviccrof  his  marbuts)  a  child  about  ten  months  old  tQ» 
be  facrificed  to  his  feti(he,.or  diYiivty^  for  recovery.  Snelgrave.faw- 
the  cljuld,  after  it  was  killed,  hung  up  on  the  bough  of  a, tree,  and  a 

live. 


39*  JAMAICA. 

live  cock  tied  to  It,  as  an  addition  to  the  fpell.  Being  aften^rds  on 
another  voyage  at  the  fame  place,  he  beheld  the  fame  king  fitting  on  a 
ilool  under  a  (hady  tree,  and  near  him  a  little  boy  tied  by  the  leg  to  a 
flake  driven  into  the  ground,  covered  with  flies  and  other  vermin,  and 
two  marbuis  ftandlng  by*  On  enquiry  he  learnt,  it  was  intended  to 
be  facrificed  that  night  to  their  god  Rgbo^  for  his  majefty's  profperity. 
Snelgrave  redeemed  the  child  at  the  king's  own  price,  and  carrying' his 
bargain  on  board  (hip,  found  that  this  infantas  mother  had  been  fold  to 
him  the  very  day  before ;  whofe  joy  on  thus  meeting  again  with  her 
fon,  (b  unexpededly  refcued  from  the  brink  of  (laughter,  he  patheti- 
cally defcribes;  adding,  that  the  ftory  coming  to  be  known  among,alI 
the  Blacks  on  board,  it  difpelled  their  fears,  and  imprefled  them  with 
fo  favourable  an  opinion  of  the  white  men,  that  although  he  had  three 
l)undred  in  all,  they  gave  him  not  the  leaft  difturbance  during  the 
voyage.  When  their  prejudices  were  diflipated  by  fo  (Iriking  an  ex* 
ample  of  humanity  (hewn  to  a  Ncgroe,  they  perceived  the  Whites 
\yere  not  fuch  bugbears  as  they  had  been  induced  to  believe,  and  grew 
happy  and  peaceable,  on  finding  that  a  white  mafier  was  likely  to  be 
more  merciful  towards  them  than  a  black  one. 

The  objedion,  that  many  die  in  tranfportation  to  the  colonies,  does 
not  bear  againfi  the  trade  itfelf,  but  againft  iomt  defed  or  impropriety 
in  the  mode  of  conducting  it.  A  fimilar  objedion  may  lie  againft 
cooping  up  debtors  or  other  prifoners  in  a  clofe  unwholefbme  Jail ; 
fending  convicts  to  America  huddled  together  in  fmall  veflels;  cram- 
ming fbldiers  into  inconvenient  tranfport  (hips ;  or  imprefled  men  into 
clofe  tenders,  or  ill-conflruded  (hips  of  war;  by  all  which  means  vaft 
multitudes  hav^e  perifhed,  without  any  bead-roll  taken  of  their  num- 
faier,  though,  it  is  probable,  the  lift  would  run  (hockingly  high.  To 
tvhat  end  are  the  contrivances  of  ventilators,  &:c.  but  the  prevention 
or  diminution  of  this  mortality  ?  But  the  mortality  is  fully  evinced  in 
point  of  fad,  by  the  many  expedients  which  have  been  recommended 
by  humane  perfons  to  render  it  lefs  frequent. 

The  captains,  I  believe,  to  whofe  charge  they  are  committed,  are 
careful  of  their  healths  to  the  utmoft  of  their  power,  confiftent  with 
the  lafety  of  their  own  lives;  their  intereft,  and  that  of  their  employ- 
ers, depends  much  upon  it.  But  captains,  and  other  feafarihg  men, 
are  not  often  philofbphers  or  pbyficians;  nor  all  as  difceming  as  a 


BOOK  III.    CHAP.  IL  399 

Liinde  of  vl  Maciride.  The  African  merchants  will^  for  their  own 
iakes,  adopt  every  expedient  that  may  conduce  to  the  good  health  and 
condition  of  thefe  cargoes  [/] ;  but  even  vrith  the  utmoil  care  it  may 
happen,  that  an  epidemic  dHeafe  may  break  out  during  the  paflage; 
probably  the  fmall-pox  or  fhixes.  Accidents  of  this  nature  cannot  be 
totally  excluded;  and  kis  fome  &tisfa€lion  to  refle6l',  even  in  this  cafe,. 
•that  moft,  or  all  of  the  poor  wretches,  if  it  were  not  for  the  trade, 
would  have  met  with  an  untimely  and  more  painful  end  in  their  own 
coxmtry ;  it  is  better  furely ,  that  a  few  fliould  perifli  by  fuch  cafualties, 
than  that  allihoulddie  by  the  hand  of  an  executioner-  That  in  the 
native  Africans  fak  of  Negroes  to  our  (hipping,  various  frauds  have 
been  committed,  and  perfons  improperly  and  unjufily  fold;  that  mti^ 
chants  of  (hips  have  been  inhuman ;  that  planters  have  been  wantonly 
cruel,  may  be  fuppofed  from  the  enormity  of  crimes  feen  every  day  ia 
the  mofi:  civilized  ftates.  To  thefeabufes,  efficacious  remedies  (hould  be 
.applied  v  and  the  African  merchants  will  own  the  highefi:  obligations 
to  government^  if  by  falutary  laws  it  can  alleviate  any  diftrefles  fuf- 
fbred  by  thofc,  whofe  labour  fupports  our  colonies,  and  enriches  our 
mother  country.  But,  to  fay  the  truth,  it  muft  be  confefled,  that 
the  difFeretKe  between  the  condition  of  the  Negroes  in  general  in 
Africa,  and  in  our  colonies,  is  fo  great,  and  fo  much  happier  in  our 
colonies,  that  they  thcmfelves  are  very  feniible  of  it.  I  once  interro- 
gated a  Negroe,.  who  had  lived  feveral  years  in  Jamaica,  on  this  fub- 
jc6k.    I  aiked  himif  he  had  no  defire  of  re-vifiting  his  native  country  ? 

[/]  The  benefit  of  remilatow  in  franfport  ihips  lias  been  found  -very  great.  In  a.  Liverpool* 
Ihip  which  had  ventilatora^  not  one  of  800  fla.ves  died,  except  only  a  child,  born.In  the  voyage ; 
but  in  feveral  other  flave  ihips  without  ventilators,  there  died  30,  40,  50,  or  60  in  a  (hip. 

Capt.  Thompfon,  of  the  Sticcefs  tranfpoit,  with  200  prejfcdmcn^  delivered  out  of  gaol  with  dif- 
tempen  on  them,  were  all  landed  fafe  in  Georgia  (1749)9  though  they  had  been  detained  nesr  a 
'  twelviemonth  on  board ;  vtYix^  uncommon  good  luck  the  captain  attributed  to  his  ventilators. 

Capt..Craininond,  with  ^^92  llaves  bound  to  Buenos  Ayres,  carried  all  of  them  fafe  by  the  fame 
means,  except  12  only,  who  were  ill  with  a  flux  when  they  came  on  board.  In  tlie  year  1753, 
ventilators  being  put  on- board  the  French  velfels  in.  the  Have  trade  at  Bourdeaux,  it  was  found  that 
by  theufe  of  them,  inflead  of  one-fourth  lofs  in  long  pafTages  from  Africa  to  their  plantations,  the 
lois.feldom  exceeded  a  twentieth ;  and  one  yeilel  faved  308  out  of  3 1 2  Haves,  in  fpight  ofmoft  tc- 
'dious  cahns,  and  a  lingering  paffage.  80  in  the  Nova  S^tia  tranfport  ihips,  12  to  1  mora  were 
found  to.die  in  unventilated  than  in  ventilated  ihips*    HaUs^  on.Ftnulators. 

Theie  examples  will  prove,  that  th^  (hip  owners  of  both  nations  have  not  been  wanting  in  the 
exercife  of  means  for  preferving  tlie  lives  and  heafth  of  th^  flaves  tranfported  from  Africa;  but  it 
appears  obvious,  that  Engtifh  convi6h  and;r^crtiits  feht  over  the  -H-^tef  were  fubje^l  ce  equal  morta- 
lity, till  the  like  m^os  were  ufed-fw  theifi  pjefeprataon;.  . .    ^     * 

his. 


400  .J.  AM:   A:  :I  /.CkA* 

his  reply  was  to  the  following  cStQ;  that.fac'WQ(lld;mQdi  rather  flay, 
live,  and  end  his  days,  where  he  was.*  That  he  could  not  live  fo  com- 
fortably in  his  own  country ;  for  in  Jamaica  he  had  food  and  cloatbing 
as  much  as  he  wanted,  a  good  houfe,  and  his  fatntly- about  hinoj  but 
that  in  Africa  he  would  be  deftitute  and  helplefsi  without  any  fectjriti^ 
to  his  life,  or  any  of  thofe  enjoyments  which  now  rendered  it  coia^ 
fortable.  Although  Ibme  few  of  thefe  poor  wretches  may  have  ioex*- 
orable  tyrants  for  their  raafters,  who  may  treat  them  worfc  perhaps 
than  any  perfbn  of  humanity  would  treat  a  brute;  yet,  in  general,  the 
<:afe  is  very  different,  and  one  thing  is  felf»evident,-ttiat  at  being  fo  op- 
]profite  to  the  intereft  of  any  planter  thus  barbaroufly  to  ti^eat,  or  inhuF- 
manly  to  work  his  (laves  to  death;  if  ever  fuch  inftioces  of  cruelty 
iiappen,  the  owner  is,  without  doubt,  either  a  fool  or  a  madman. 

Many  of  the  Negroes  in  this  ifland,  the  tradefmen,  and  fuch  as  are 
trfually  called  Houfe  Negroes,  live  as  well,  or  perhaps  much  better^  in 
point  of  meat  and  drink,  than  the  poorer  clafs  of  people  do  in  England; 
and  not  one  of  them,  €ven  to  the  plantation  labourer,  goes  through 
half  the  work  j  for  even  thofe  who  cultivate  the  lands,  are  not  without 
indulgence,  and  frequent  intervals  of  recreation.  *     i 

if,  indeed,  we  fuppofe  a  man  bred  up  and  habituated  to  a  fiate'of 
purejlavery  among  numberlefs  others  in  the  fame  predicament,,  fubje^ 
to  the  vileft  fpecies  of  bondage;  that  his  life,  his  perfbn,.  his  fo6d>  and 
acquifitions,  are  all  at  the  abfoiute  and  arbitrary  diijpofal  of  his  owner, 
as  much  as  if  he  were  a  meer  ox  or  (heep ;  and  that  he  is  in  hourly 
peril  of  being  damnified  In  fome  one  or  other  of  them,  by  the  wanton 
cruelty  or  caprice  of  his  owner:  let  us  then  imagine  this  unhappy 
wretch  conveyed  into  another  region,  and  among  a  people  very  differ- 
ent from  the  laft,  in  government,  manners,  and  difpoiition ;  wbe^e  his 
fervitude  is  tempered  with  lenity,  where  he  is  permitted  to  enjoy  a 
little  property  undidurbed,  where  his  life,  his  body,  his  food,  and 
raiment,  are  protected  and  affured  to  him  by  public  regulations ;  can 
we  hefitate  one  moment  to  lay,  that  his  yoke  is  now  become  eafy, 
his  burthen  light?  and  (hall  we  not  conclude,  that  fuch  a  being, 
though  perhaps  averfe  at  firft  to  the  change,  through  erroneous  im* 
preiGons,  and  utter  ignorance  of  his  future  deftiny,  will  foon  difcera 
the  more  liappy  circumftances  of  his  new  condition,  and  really  think, 
that,  compared  with  the  paft,  his  prefent  fervices  are  ferfeSfrdidom. 

3  In 


BOOK  m.    CHAP.  rt.    i.  4^iy 

Ift  tH6  light,  tf  we  are  impartial,  Wef  ought  to  exammc  the  fubj^dl; -^ 
not  ufing  flavery  ds  an  indefinite  term/  but  confidering  how  far  juft^ 
our  particular  idea  or  definition  of  it  is,  when  applied  to  this  or  that ! 
fetofmen,  who  live  in  a  different  part  of  the  world;  fince  whatis  *' 
deemed  flavery  in  one  place,  is  far  from  being  reputed  fo  in  another:  * 
a£riton  therefore,  who  has  always  lived  in  fruition  of  a  rational  fl^^-* 
domr,  muft  not  ju<^6  of  every  other  man*s  feelings  by  his  own  ;'  be*^ 
caufe  they  who  have  never  experienced  the  fame  Britifti  freedom ^  or 
any  degree  near  to  it,  cannot  poflSbly  hold  the  fame  opinion  of  flavery 
that  a  Briton  does;  for  they  know  not  how  to  diftinguifli  it;  and 
with  fuch,  the  fervitude  they  live  under,  .has  neither  horrors- nor "^ 
hardfliip.  ^'   •        . 

Among  men  of  fo  favage  a  di(pofiti6n,  as  that  they  Icarcely^ differ 
from  the  wild  beafis  of  -the  wood-ifa  thei  ferocity  of  their  manners,  vve  • 
muft  not  think  of  introducing  thoie  polifhed  rules  and  refinements^  ' 
which  have  drawn  their  origin  and  force  from  the  gradual  civilization 
of  other  nations  that  once  were  barbarous    Such-  men  mud  be  ma-^  ^ 
naged  at  BxA  as  if  they  were  beafts;  tbky  muft  be  tamed,  before  .they 
can  be  treated  like  men.     Ridiculckis  is  it^  when  the  argument  re^ 
gacds  fuch  men,  to  fayi  diat  they  ^nbt  tome  into  our  cololiy-fervi*-  - 
tude  under  regular  compass !  True,  tfeey  do  net ;  for,  if  they  did,  they 
WQuld  no  longer  be  Haves,  in  the  ufudl  acceptation  of  the  term.     As 
(laves,  thiqr  come  into  the  colony  from  their  native  country ;  but  the  * 
difierence  lies  in  this,  they  weft  ilaves,  abjed  flaves  in  Africa,  and  fo 
would  have  continued,  witlk  infinitely  greater  difad vantages  th'an  they  ^ 
experience  in  the  colony.     In  the  former,  they  were  fubjeft  to  all  the 
feverities  of  the  moft  brutal  and  licentious  tyranny,  under  men  living 
in  fomething  vrorfe  than  a  ftate  of  nature.     In  the  colony,  the  owner  ^ 
of  the^ave  receives  him  with  a  tacit  agreement  that  his  fervices'JhaU  b6'^ 
requited  with  neceffary  food  and  cloathing;  a  juft  proportion  and* in-  *- 
ter\^l  of  reft ;  fomc  leifure  too  for  his  own  particular  emoluments ;  a  * 
weather- tight  and  convenient  habitation;  a  profpedl  of  many  tempo-  * 
rary  and  occafional  douceurs j  and  even  of  an  independence,  if  his  de-  ' 
ferts  (hould  claim  it.     Add  to  this,  that  his  life  is  protcfted  by- law,  ^ 
and  that  hb  owner  holds  riot  an  unlimited  power  over  him.     He  en-'  * 
joys  a  more  narrowed  degree  of  liberty  than  fbme  fiibjefts  in  Britairi^*'- 
but  in  feveral  rcfpeQs  a  miKh larger  extent thhn  fome  others;    Vtt^'i 

VquAI.  Fff  the 


4<j»  JAMAICA.. 

the  pen^  laws  of  Jamaka,  he  U  (in  general)  entitled:  tp  equita'bte 
modes  of  juftice,  trial,  and  judgement;  from  other  laws  he  deri\'eS' 
protedion,  immunities^  and  emoluments.  In  hts  habitation,  cloath«^ 
iqg,,  fnbiifiencey  and  pofleffions,  he  is  far  happier  and  better  provided 
for  than  moil  of  the  poor  labourers*  and  meaner  clafs,  in  Britain.  It 
is  not  therefore  a  mere  found,  importing  fiavery,  that  makes  men  flaves; 
the  Negroes  here  are  not  the  more  To  for  the  title;  although  the.com* 
mon  ideas  of  uninformed  ]ftr£ons  lead  them  to.  think  of  their  condi- 
tion in  the  very  worft  fenfe  which'  that  term  admits.  In  truth,  on 
many  plantations,  and  under  mild  matters,  if  they  receive  not  hire  ii^ 
money,  they  receive  an  equivalent  in  the  neceffacies  and  conyeaiencies 
of  life,  and  the  peaceable  enjoyment  of  their  private  acquifition^j  ^dy. 
what  is  ftill  better,  good  ufa^e,  and  pg:ote£lion  from  ii^uries  ^  wbicb 
^re  a  iqore  current  coin  am^ngft  the  hoveft  and  free*miiided^:  than* 
money  itfelf. 

It  does  not  follow,  becaufe  thef^  flaves  are  ddivered  into  the^hands 
of  Europeans  by  the  Negipe  usdrcjjk^tsf  or  potej^ikates^  itQ:b^dffalt^with- 
as  tbey  think  proper,,  thatrt^he  Eurppeans  afiort  anjjr  power,  of  jofiiift-*- 
ing cruelty  upon  them ;  or  belieV^ithbfe  isany  merit  in abftaining from- 
mifufage  of  thefe  pooy  wret^s ;  who  might  poffibly  bave.beeb  putf  ta- 
death,  if  they  had  not  redeemed  tk^m^^^  i  ^  - 

Jn  fad,  the  moft  humane  pf.th^, Europeans,  among  wfaei*  I  fufely/ 
may  efteem  the  Britifil)  hold  them  only^iir  what  Grattos  and  qdxQti 
authors  dlftinguifll  as  a  legitimate^  eqiiitaWe  fpccies  of  fcrvitudc ;  in- . 
eluding  a  fort  of  compaft,  by  which  (abftrafited  from  the.  r/^A/  ai> 
quired  hy  fur  chafe  J  one  man  owes  to  another  perpetual  fcrvices  for  the^ 
prefer vation  of  his  life,  for  his  fuftenance,  and  other  neceilaries ;  and. 
this  is  founded  on  the  principles  of  reafon.     yht  mafter  does  not  ex- 
tend his  power  over  \m  flave  beyond  the  bounds  of  natural  equity,  but 
a  reciprocal  obligation  conneAs  them;  protedion  and  maintenance  on 
the  one  hand,  fidelity  and  fervice  on  the  other;  this  obligation  faas^ 
nothing  in  it  oppreiEve,  but,  on  the,  contrary,  gives  the  flave  a  cer- 
tainty of  food  and  conveniencies;  which  others  often  want,  who  hire 
out  their  labours  by  the  day.     To  this  effeft  fays  alfo  Gronovius,. 
**  forafmucb  ais  the  maftcr  is  bound  to  give  food  to  his  flave^fo  is  the- 
flave  bound  to  make  a  return  or  retribution  by  his  labour;  this  duty* 
^s  equally  permanent  on  both  fides :"  and  this  is  the  kind  of  fervitude 

exifking^ 


BOOK   m.    PHAP/IL  40J 

^iflttig  m  Jamaica;  iJie  laws  of  which  impofe  fuch  an  bbligationrijpop 
every  owner  of  i)av«,  and  pfuni (h  all  who  fail  of  cpnformiqg  to*  It.    . 

From  the  furv^y  I  have  taken  of  the  African  Negroes,  ftndrtl^^a- 
tture  0f  the-flavery  exiting  attiong  them,  it  will  not,  J  thiAksibe  de- 
rduced,  that  the  people  they  export  undergo  nK)re  bardihip.)Qr  injuff 
•by  the  tranfition,  than  they  would  have  fuffcred.iq  their  own  cdontry. 

The  captives  of  war,  inftead  of  being  inhumanly  flaiighfiered,  |>afs 
into  a  ftate  of  fervitude,  it  is  true ;  bat  it  is  fudi  a  ftate,  that^  under 
Chriftian  mailers,  who,  I  venture  to  fay,  arc  not  fuch  tyrants  as  the 
African  flavehdlders,  they  enjqy  indulgence  proportioned  to,  and  df* 
teiifar  tranfcend'mg^  the  merits  of  theiribehaviour;  the  comfoits,  ev<^0 
i  may  add,  the  pieafures  of  life;  and  not  a. few  obtain  their  freedom »: 

Such  as  are  banifhed  for  crimen  and  mifdemeanors,  hare  reafah  tf> 
rejoice  at  the  fentence  ;  which  reprieves  them  from  fome  horrid  mode 
of  execution,  and  prolongs  their  exiftetlce. 

Should  any  be  ui\)uftly  exiled,  they-  may  think  them felves  happy  im 
being  placed  beyond  the  reach  of  a  cmd  and  favage  goyemment. 

If  they  were  flaves  in  their  o wo  country,  or  had  forfeited  iheir  free^ 
dom  by  ibme  crimen  they  have  00 -right  to  repine  at  the  want  of  it  iii 
the  cduntry  to  which  they  arc  driven.  They  were  already  flaves^  and 
have  only  exchanged  their  o^ner  and  laws;  the  former,  for  one  lefs  ar^^ 
bitrary ;  thelatter,  for  one  more  beneficent  and  gentle  than,  they  befoi:^ 
had  experifedce  of.  in  general,  ^y  gain  U&^  for  death;  clemency^  for 
barbarity ;  comfort  and  convenience^  for  torture  and  mifery ;  food,  for 
famine.  Ihfomucb  that,  sifter  fome  trial  of  their  new  condi^oti,  under 
a  niafter  who  in  feft  purfues  -his  own  Intereft  beft  in  treating  tbeni 
well,  they  would  account  it  the  higbeft  ad  of  inHiunanhy  to.  be'.fettC 
back  to  their  native  country. 

The  choice  of  Negroes  for  dlffereof:  pucpofes  requires  experience, 
and  particular  attention ;  for  there  is  not  only  fome  variety  in  their 
paflions  and  bent  of  miiid,  but,  from  the*cdnftitUtionoV  their  native  (ili- 
mates  and  local  manners,  they  inherit  a  variety  of  different  dif^empersi 
The  Coromantins,  and  many  others  df  fjhe  Gold  Goaft  flaves,  ^e 
haughty,  ferocious,  trnd  ftubbort).  *  The  Mitindh^j  timid  find  ^eipond* 
ing,  apt  to  dcfttoy  themfelves  up6!tt .  the  leaft^  and  ofteri  without  any^ 
provocation.  The  Mmidihgo  -Negroes  ar6  very  fubjeft  to  worm  difr 
orders;  the  Congos'to^ropfies.  ^  The  Bbo  inen  are  laiy^-  andaverfo 

Fffz  to 


:4CP4  J    A    M    A    t   C    Ai 

* '  to  every  laborious  employment ;  the  women,  performing  atmoft  aS  tht' 
work  in  their  own  country;  tbefe:  men  are  fiiHen^  and  often  make 
ttWiy  with  themfelves,  rather  than  fobmit  to  any  drudgerj :  the  £bo « 
women  labour  well,  but  are  fubjed  to^  obffrudions  of  the  men/lrua^ 
often  attended  with  fterilky^  aad  incurable*  •   The  Congosy  Papaws^ 
Conchas^  Whidahs^  and  Angolas,  in  general^  -^re  good  field  labourers^ 
but  the  lafl-^mentioned  are  mod  ftupid*'    The  Negroes  btougbt  fmm* 
Senegal  are  of  better  underflanding  than^  the  reft,^  and  fitterfor  learOf* 
mg  trades,  and  for  menial  donieftio  fervices.     Tliey  are  good  com** 
manders.  over  other  Negroes ,  having  a-higb  fpirit,  .and  a  tolerable- 
ihare  of  fidelity  :..but  they  are  unfit  for  hard  wcM-k;  thistr  bodies  are  not 
rdbufVy  nor  their  corilitutioa  vigorous. .  The  delicacy  ef  their  frame^.. 
^rfaaps,  has  fome  eScA  on  their  mindsy  for  they  are  eafier  difciplined 
than?  any  other,  of  the  African  Blacks. «  The.  Aradas  are, thought  to  ex- 
cel all  the  reft  in  knowledge- of  agriculture^  yet* their  Ikill  is  extxemeljr 
incompetent.  :^  The  jCdngos,  and  Gold  Co0fiNdgr9e$ttinr:gqaeralj'are  ^ 
good-fifhermen,  and  excel  lin  making  oanoes-.- 

•i»  It  has  been  remarked  of  t;he  Guiney^Negroes  tbat,  allhoHgh  theyiare ' 
&r  the  greatenipart  of  Urong^  heathy  bodle^-^ they  rarely^live  to  a.<do» 
t^minate  old  age  in  their  o^n  country. .  ANegrofc  ther^  <^4ifty  ig^^ 
reckoned'a  very  old- man  indeed;  ;and  at  forty  they- appear -debilitated^ 
Thisihort  fpan;  has  been  lattribjjted  ta  t^eir- exce;Qive  venei^:  Bu^a  i 
afcribes  it  to^polygamy^  bofi  in  Egypi^  .andf4;he  ttottesi  p^rl^^f  Afia^. , 
where -polygamy  jMsevails,  the  inhabitants  are  found  to- attain  gtea». 
Siges-    So,  in  < Jamaica*  , if  they  are  not  far  advanced  in  y^ars  wheai 
brought  ovec,  they  have  beert  known  to  attain  ta  8o,^nd'  90,  .or^  upi;  - 
wardp;^  but  50  and.6Q.are  extr&mdy  uliiaU. 

G.:  Br-  A:.  R'  -  in:. 

,  •  Of  the  CiEBlrE.  Si  AV^  ^nd  AF&lQAli  N^PG^OES  m  J^MATCA*^  ^ 

TH'E  ^wr^/  charad^RTof  iOpr  Qreole^flaves  may^  befummed  upia^ 
the  words^of 'an  old  provei;b,  ,**  Like  mafter,  like  man.'l    JThey- 
jti^£apabl6'of  beii^gm^de  dilrgeRt^  anjdimo^krately  fait^^  the  re*-- 

y/^iskijv\&  a^  their^  diippfnioiis  happgftto^e  worked .upouv  ^  Itxannob 
be  d@4>bted,.  but  thefar  gfea{er  part  of  them'are  nrore  inclined  to  a  lifi^ 
efiidlenefsLa^ul  eafe^  jh^  a.life^pf^our;   yet. the  regukr.difcipljne, 


i^ooK  iii:  cfHAR  m;  46^ 

W  which  they  are  inured  from  their  infancy,  becomi^  habitual  xind  na- 
ttiral  to  them,  as  it  does  tofoldibi^,  failor:?,  and  fchool-boys;  and,  like' 
the  latter^  their  princrj^al  addrefsis  (hewn  in  fihding  out  their  matter's  ' 
ttmperj  and'playing  upon'it  fa  artfully  as  to  bend  if  with  moft  con- 
venience to  their  own  pm-pofes.     They  are  not  lefs  ftudious  in  fifting 
their  maftcr's  Teprefentative;'  the  overfeer;  if  he  is  not  too  cunning  for 
them,  which  they  foon  dtfcover  after  one  or  two  experiments',  they 
will  eafily: find  means  to  over-reach  hirti  on  every  occafion,  and  mak6 
his  indol^nce^  his  weaknefs,  or  fbttifhilefsy  a  fure  prognoftic  of  fom6 
comfortable  term  of  idlenefs  to  them :  but^  if  they  find  him  too  intel- 
ligent, wary,  and*adive,  they  leave  no' expedient  untriedi  by  thwart- 
ing his  plans^,  ^  mifunderftStiding  his^  ordefs,*  and  reiterating  complaints  ^ 
againft  him,  to  ferret  htm  out  of  his  poft:  if  this  will  not  fucceed^  > 
they  perpkfxand  Worry  him,  efpfcially  if  he  is  of  an  Impatient,  fretful  ' 
torn,  tilt  he  grows  heartily  fick^of  his  charge,  and  vohlntarily  reiignS 
it;     An  overfeer  therefore,  like  a  premier  minifter,  mtiflr  always  exj^eft 
td  meet  with  a  fadion,  ready  to  oppofe  his  adminiftration,  right  of  ' 
wrong ;  unlefs  he  will  give  the  reins  out  of  his  hands,  and  fufFer  the 
mebility  ta*-hare  things  their  own  way;  which  if  he  complies  With;  • 
they  wilt  extol  hltn  to  his  fete,  contrtnn  hitft'intheir^  hearts;  and  very. 
fbon  bring  his  governmtnt  into  difgrace.     But  fuch  a  man,  if  he  ig 
gifted  with  good-nature  and  humanity,  will  eafily  get  the^  better  in 
every  ftruggle ;  for  thefe  are  qualities  which  the  Negrdfes  prizfe  in  Ificir  • 
ftperiors"  above  all  othtrs.     Sdmfi  overfcers;   untiefs  fliaiply  lotokccf  ^ 
aflser,  have  been  known  to'play  the"  tyrant V  and  where  thtS  isthecaie^^ 
we  cannot  blame  their  black  fubjb£h  for  wifhing  a  chdhge;  nor  tot' 
their  zealous  endeavours  to  efle£l  it.     The  old  woinan  was  much  m^^ 
the  right,  wha  prayed  for  the  life  of  the  tyrant  Dionyiius,  fearing,  thaf - 
if  he  died,  (hi  might  fall  undet  thedominhsn  of  a  fucceflbr,  ftill  more 
edions  and  diabolical;     It  Would  be  an  aft  of  humanity,  rfeflefiihg  the*  - 
higheft  honour  on  the  legiilature  *  of  Jamaica,  if  the  gendemeri  who  • 
compofek  (heuld,  in  imitation^of  the* French,  promdlge  a  code  of 
hws.  and -ordinances  refpcfting  the  Negroes,  more  particul'aply  in  the*  * 
treatment  of  them  upon  their  plantations;  reftraining  and  punifliirtg,  in*  • 
aa*  exemplary  manner,  all  fecret  prafticesof  ttirfrbarkyr  that  thbfe  mtn„  . 
whoie  callous  hearts  are  impenetrable  to  the  feilings' of  huni^-rir  nature,* 
JBay.beafie£Ud4n  fome  degree  by  a  dread  of  legalpains  and  penSfltie^.'  . 

W^re- 


4c6  JAMAICA. 

Were  this  duly  attended  to,  atid  proper  encouragement  given  to  in- 
ibrmers,  it  would  be  impoffible  to  aft  fuch  private  oppreflions  often  ; 
becaule,  out  of.  the  whole  pofle  of  white  fervants  on  each  plantation, 
there  might  always  be  fuppofed  one  or  more,  who,  from  the  abhor- 
rence of  fuch  practices,  if  not  the  allurement  of  reward,  would  quickly 
impeach  the  tyrant.  At  the  fame  time,  the  very  apprebenfion  of  fucb 
^  eonfequence  would  infallibly  check  the  moft  hardened  ;  efpecially 
if,  in  addition  to  other  punifliment,  the  law  (hould  difqualify  the 
offender  from  ever  again  exercifing  his  profeffion,  or  oifiwe>  withia 
the  ifland. 

If  every  owner  of  a  plantation  refidcd  upon  it,  there  woidd  be  no 
xaufe  for  the  interpoiition  of  legiflativc  authority ;  byt  it  is  well 
known,  that  a  great  many  eflates  belonging  to  different  abfentees,  and 
lying  in  diilant  parts  ©f  the  ifland,  are  often  given  up  to  the  charge  of 
one  agent  only,  who  cannot  poflibly  refide  at  all,  nor  vifit  them  veily 
frequently.  Matters  are  then  left  to  the  difcretion  of  over^rs,  who^ 
chief  aim  it  is  to  raife  to  themfeUes  a  character  as  able  planters,  by 
^ncreafing  the  produce  of  the  refpeftive  eilates  ;  this  is  too  frequently 
attempted,  by  forcing  the  Negroes  to  labour  beyond  th^r  abilities  § 
of  courfe  they  drop  off,  and,  if  not  recruited  inceflantly,  the  gentle^ 
man  ileals  away  like  a  rat  from  a  barn  in  flames,  and  carries  the  credit 
of  great  planterfhip,  and  vafl  crops,  in  his  hand,  to  obtain  advanced 
wages  from  fome  new  employer  in  another  diftrid  of  tbe  iHand.  -The 
abfentees  are  too  often  deceived,  who  meafure  the  condition  c^  their 
pjjpperties  by  the  large  remittances  fent  to  them  for  one  or  two  years^ 
wilhput  adverting  to  the  heavy  loflcs  fuftained  in  the  produdion  of 
them  ;  and  they  find,  too  late,  their  incomes  fuddenly  abridged,  and 
the  finews  of  their  eflate  wafled  far  below  their  expe&ation.  It  might 
be  of  fervice  to  many  of  them,  if  they  could  bring  themfelv^cs  to  live 
more  within  bounds ;  be  content  with  a  moderate  equal  remittance! 
fuch  as  they  know  is  proportioned . to  the  ftrength  of  their  labourers;, 
and  once,  in  a  certain  number  of  years,  reviilt  their  plantations,  in  or- 
der  to  regulate  their  future  meafures  from  the  plain  evidence  of  thein 
own  eyes  and  ears. 

.  When  once  they  have  fhot  beyond  the  mark  of  oeconpmy ,  aild  become 

involved  in  England,  they  grow  infenlible  to  every  other  coofidera- 

tion  than  how  to  extricate  themfelves ;  whicb  is  cotoxnonly  atcfaieved 

I  by 


so  OK  ni.    CETAP.  iir.  4^7- 

Bjr  exhauftihg  the  vigour  of  their  only  fupporters ;  when  a  little  pa- 
tience,  retrenchment  of  expences,  and  moderate  uniform  crops,  would 
probably  bring  about  what  they  wifli,  without  any  lofs  to  their  capi- 
tal. Humanity  operates  here  like  virtue ;  it  is  its  own  fure  reward* 
B;  is  a  planter's  beft  interefl:  to^be  humane  ;>  and  it  is  clearly  moft  coni- 
dlictve  to  bis*  honour  and  peace  of  mind. 

The  great  Chriftian  precept  "  of  doing  unto  others  what  we  would 
♦*  that  they  fliould  do  unto  us/'  fpeaks  pathetically  to  every  rational^ 
breaft  ;  though  few  among  us  paufe  perhaps  to  alk  ourfelves  this  can- 
did queftion  :  Howlhould  I  wifli  to  be  treated,  if  I  was  in  a  ftate  of 
fervitude,  like  thefe  my  fellow  creatures  ?  Doubtlefs  we  would  wifh, 
that  our  matter  might  bCwa  Chriftian  in  praftice,  as  well  as  principle^ 
and  render  our  condition  a^  eafy  as  poffible,  by  a  mild  and  compaf- 
ironate  ufage.  Let  every  overfeer  and  planter  then  only  aft  the  part 
of  that  mafter,  and  not  be  feduced,  by  a  foolifh  vanity,  to  plume 
fiimfelf  on  his  happier  lot,  dr  fancy  that  hfe  is  created  to  be  the  ty- 
ranti  not  the  friend,  to  mankind.  I  flialLnot  attempt  tb  give  a  com- 
plfete  defcrlption  of  all  the  cuftoms  and  manners  of  our  Creole  Ncr 
gfotsi  fince  many  of  them  are  not  worth  recording  ;  and,  in  confe- 
qttence  of  their  freqiient  intermixture  with  the  native  Africans,,  they^ 
drffer  but  little  in  many  articles. 

•  In  their  tempers  they  are  in  general  lirafcible,  conteited,  protid,  in- 
dolent,, lafcivious^  credulous,  and  very  artftiU     They  are  excellent 
diflemblersj  and  Ikilful  flatterers.      They  poflefs  good-nature,  and 
fometimes,  but  rarely,  gratitude..    Their  memory  fbon  lofes  the  traces^ 
of  favours  conferred  on  them,  but  faithfully  retains  a  fenfe  of  injuries; 
ihis  knit  is  fo  poignant,  that  they  have  been  known  todiflemble  their 
hatred  for  manji^  years,  until  an  opportunity  has  prefented  of  retali- 
ating ;  and,  in  taking  their  revenge,  they  fliew  a  treachery,  cowardice^, 
and  deliberate  malice,  that  al moft  exceed  credibility.     A  flfupid  infcn— 
fibility  of  danger  often  gives- them  thefpecious  appearance  ofd^untlefs 
intrepidity  i.  though,  when  once  thoroughly  made  fenfibk  of  it,  none 
are  more  arrant  cowards..  A  blind  anger\  and  brutal  rage,  with  themrj 
ftand  frequently  in  place  of  manly  valourr    The  impreffions  of  fear^, 
naturally  accompanied  with  cunnmg  and  warinefs,  make  them  always^ 
averfe  to  any  other  mode  of  engaging  with  an^  eneiriy^  than  by  am*- 
bu£eade9>.  and.fur£rize;.  and  in  all  their,  boxing  matches  with  oner 

anothgjT^, 


4e8  JAMA    I    C    A.- 

..another/  ott^  may  obferve  their  efforts  diredcd  by  inaUce,  fo  ibon  as 
their  fury  is  raifed.     When  they  have  been  employed  again  ft  the  re- 
bellious flaves,   each  party  meeting  in. a  wood^  liavevdifperied  in  an 
.inftant,  and.  every  man  fingled  out  bis  tree,  belli nd  which  he  Shel- 
tered his  perfon,  and  fir^.     After  the  firft   volley,  xmc  party  geue- 
j rally  fled;    but,  if  both  ftood   their  ground,  the. next iconflitt  was 
imade  with  cutlaffes,  in  the  management  of  which  they  are  furprifingly 
.  aftive  ^nd  ikiifuj^  ufing  either  band  alternately,  as  they  fee  occalion^ 
But.they  vwould  never  be  brought  to  withftand  horfc,  platoons,  or 
fcrewed  bayonets,;  nor  to  engage  in  an.open  place.     When  they  did 
not  fuccced  at  the  firft  fire,  they  trufted  to  the  lightnefs  of  their  heels, 
rallied  at  foqae  didance,  if  nqt  too  qlofely  purfued,  and  returned  again 
to  the  bnfli-figbt.     They  arc  remarkable,  like  the  North  American 
Indians,  for  tracking  in  the  woods  ;  difcerning  the  veftige  of  the  per- 
ifqij,  or  party,  of  whom  they  are  in  queft,  by  the  turn  of  a  dried  leaf, 
the  poiition  of  a  fmall  twig,  and  other  infignificant  marks,  which  aa 
European  would  overlook ;  but  I  have  known  fome  white  Creoles  not 
lefs  expert  at  this  art,  which  they  acquired,  as  they  faid,  by  frequently 
;ranging  the  woods  after  wild  hogs,  or  runaways.   The  Negroes  know 
.each  other's  haunts  and  artifices,  much  better  than  the  Whites;   andp 
probably,  form  then:  conjeSures,  by  refleding  which  way  they  would 
fteer  their  courfe,  if  they  were  purfued  themfelves.      In  marching 
through  a  wopd  they  walk  in  enfilade,  but  do  not  always  keep  iiieoce.  • 
Sometimes,  when  engaged  with  cutlafles,  they  will  fight  very  de^- 
rately,  and  ftand  to  it  with  the  infcnfibility  of  pofts,  till  they  almoft 
Aack  one  another  to  pieces,  before  either  will  furrender. 

They  are  in  general  excellent  markfmen  at  a  Handing  flict,  their 
eye  quick,  and  fight  fo  clear,  that  they  feldom  mifs ;  yet  their  vifion 
(as  1  have  before  remarked)  is  the  worft  poffible  for  the  regular  pofi* 
tion  of  any  thing.  They  ,cannot  place  a  dining-table  fquare  in  a 
room  ;  I  have  known  them  fail  in  this,  after  numberlefs  endeavours  i 
and  it  is  the  fame  in  other  things.  So  that  fuch  as  are  bred  carpenters  and 
bricklayers,  are  often  unabje,  after  many  tedious  and  repeated  trials  with 
the  rule  and  plumb-line,  to  do  a  piece  of  work  ftraight,  which  an  ap- 
prentice boy  in  England  would  perform  with  one  glance  of  his  eye  in 
a  moment.  It  is  fomewhat  unaccountable,  too,  that  they  always 
^npunt  a  horfe  on  the  off- fide.    Their  ideas  feeni  confined  to  a  very 

few 


300.K  III,    CHAP.   III.  409 

few  obj^ ;  .temely,  the.cammon  occurrences  of  life,  foo^,  love,  an4 
drefs:  thcfc  jif e .  fceqqeiit  themes  for  their  dance,  converfation,  and 
mufical  compo&tions. 

The  African,  or  imported  Negroes,  are  almoft  all  of  them,  both 
men  and  women,  addi&ed  to  the  moft  beilial  vices,  from  which  it  is  the 
moi*e  ilifllicult .  to  reclaim  them,  as  they  are  grown  inveterately  con- 
firmed by.  habit  from  their  very  infancy.     In  Guiney  they  are  taught 
to  regard  a  dram,  as  one  of  the  chief  comforts  of  life  ;  they  grow  up 
in  this  opinion  :  and  I  have  feen  fome  of  them  forcing  the  precious 
liquor  down  the  throats  of  their  children,   or  pickaninnies^  with  the 
fame  eagerncfs  that  indulgent  mothers  in  England  Ihew,  when  they 
cram  their  little  favourite  with  fugar-phimbs.     In  thieving  they  are 
thorough  adepts,  and  perfectly  accompliOied.      To  fet  eyes  on  any 
thing,  and  endeavour  to  poflefs  it,  is  with  them  intirely  the  fame* 
From  this  caufe  it  happens,  that,  upon  their  being  brought  into  the 
plantations,  they  are  foon  engaged  in  quarrels,  which  fometimes  are 
attended  with  fatal  confequences ;  for,  when  they  are  prompted  to  re- 
venge, they  purfue  it  againfl  one  another  with  fo  much  malevolence 
and  cruelty,  that  the  punifhment  exacted  is  generally  beyond  all  pro* 
portion  greater  than  the  offence  can  poffibly  merit.     It  is  therefore 
•moft  prudent  for  a  planter  to  wink  at  petty  offences  againft  himfelf, 
but  to  chaftiie  all  thofe  who  are  found  guilty  of  doing  injury  to  the 
perfon,  or  property,  of  their  fellow  Blacks ;  by  which  means  he  will 
be  the  conflant  referee  and  umpire  of  their  difputes ;  and,  by  accom- 
modating them  agreeably  to  juftice  and  right,   prevent  his  Negroes 
from  having  recourfe  to  open  violence,  or  fecrct  vengeance,  againft 
each  other ;  which  are  too  often  perpetrated  with  a  blind  and  unrelent^ 
,ing  hatred  ;  in  purfuit  whereof  many  have  been  killed  outright,  others 
maimed,  and  not  a  few  deftroyed  by  the  flower  operation  of  fome 
jpoifon. 

The  Creoles,  in  general,  are  more  exempt  from  ebriety,  that  parent 
of  many  crimes!  1  have  known  feveral,  who  rejedcd  every  fort  of 
fpirituous  liquor  with  loathing,  and  would  drink  nothing  but  water. 
If  the  Negroes  could  be  retrained  intirely  from  the  ufe  of  fpirits  in 
their  youth,  they  would  probably  never  become  very  fond  of  dram- 
4rinking  iifterwards.  I  have  often  thought^  :that  the  lower  order  of 
white  £ei:vants  on  the  plantations  exhibit  fuch  deteftable  pidures  of 
Vol.  IL  ^  g  S  drunk- 


4ro  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

drunkcnnefs,  that  the  better  fort  of  Creole  Blacks  have  either  conceived 
a  difguft  at  a  pradke  that  occafions  fuch  odious  effeds,  or  have  re« 
frained  from  it  out  of  a  kind  of  pride,  as  if  they  v^rould  appear  fupe- 
rior  to,  and  more  refpedable  than,  fuch  bcaftly  white  wretches.  Be 
this  as  it  may,  there  is  nothing  furely  can  more  degrade  a  man,  than 
this  voluntary  rejeftion  of  his  rational  faculties ;  deprived  of  which, 
he  finks  below  the  loweft  rank  of  brutes.  The  Creole  Blades  dificr 
much  from  the  Africans,  not  only  in  manners,  but  ia  beauty  of 
Ihape,^  feature,  and  complexion.  They  hold  the  Africans  in  the  ut- 
moft  contempt,  ftiling  them,  "  fait- water  Negroes,'^  and  "  Guiney 
**  birds  ;'*  but  value  themfelves  on  their  own  pedigree,  which  is  reck- 
oned the  more  honourable,  the  further  it  removes  from  an  African,  ov 
tranfmarlne  anceftor.  On  every  well-governed  plantation  they  eye 
and  refpeft  their  mafter  as  a  father,  and  are  extremely  vain  in  refleft- 
Ihg  on  the  connexion  between  them.  Thtir  matter's  character  and 
repute  cafts,  they  think,  a  kind  of  fecondary  light  upon  themfelves^ 
as  the  moon  derives  her  luftre  from  the  fun ;  and  the  importance  he 
acquires,  in  his  ftation  of  life,  adds,  they  imagine,  to  their  own  eftt^ 
mation  among  their  neighbour  Negroes  on  the  adjacent  efiates.  Their 
attachment  to  the  defcendants  of  old  families,  the  anceftors  of  which 
were  the  matters  and  friends  of  their  own  progenitors,  is  remarkably 
ftrong  and  afFetfUbnate.  This  veneration  appears  hereditary,  like  clan- 
ihips  in  the  Scotch  Highlands ;  il  is  imbibed  in  their  infancy,  or 
founded  perhaps  in  the  idea  of  the  relation  which  fubfifted  betwecD, 
and  conne^ed  them  in,  the  bond  of  fatherly  love  and  authority  on  the 
one  fide,  and  a  filial  reverence  and  obedience  on  the  other ;  nor  k  this 
efFeft,  however  it  arifes,  unmixed  with  fomewhat  of  gratitude,  for  the 
favours  and  indulgencies  conferred  on  their  predeceiS>rs  ;  fome  fruits 
of  which  they  themfelves  have  probably  enjoyed  by  devife ;  for,  even 
among  thefe  flaves,  as  they  are  called,  the  black  grandfather,  or  fether, 
directs  in  what  manner  his  money,  his  hogs,  poultry,  furniture^ 
cloaths,  and  other  efk(Xs  and  acquifitions,  fliall  delcend,  or  be  difpoiedl 
of,  after  his  deceafe.  He  nominates  a  fort  of  truttees,  or  executors^ 
from  the  nearett  of  kin,  who  dittribute  them  among  the  legatees, 
according  to  the  will  of  the  teftator,  without  any  molettration  or 
interruption,  mofl^  often  without  the  enquiry,  of  their  mafter ;  though 
fame  of  thefe  Negroes  have  been  known  to  poflefs  from  50/.  to  aooA 

^  at 


BOOK   III.    CHAR   HI.  4ri 

at  their  death ;  and  few  among  them,  that  are  at  all  induftrlous  and 
frugal^  lay  up  lefs  than  20  or  30/.  For  in  this  ifland  they  have  the 
greateft  part  of  the  fmall  filver  circulating  among  them,  which  they 
gain  by  fale  of  their  hogs,  poultry,  fifli,  corn,  fruits,  and  other  com- 
moditiesy  at  the  markets  in  town  and  country. 

They  in  general  love  their  children,  though  fometimes  they  treat 
them  with  a  rigour  bordering  upon  cruelty.  They  feem  alfo  to  feel  a 
patriotic  affedion  for  the  ifland  which  has  given  them  birth ;  they  re- 
joice at  its  profperity,  lament  its  lofles,  and  interefl:  themfelves  in  the 
affairs  and  politics  that  are'  the  talk  of  the  day.  Whoever  has  ftudied 
their  difpofition  and  fentiments  attentively,  will  be  of  opinion,  that, 
with  mild  and  humane  ufage,  they  are  more  likely  to  become  the  de- 
fenders than  the  deftroyers  of  their  country.  As  a  large  fliare  of  va^ 
nity  and  pride  may  be  obferveable  among  them,  fo  the  better  fort  ap- 
pear fenfible  to  ihame.  I  have  known  a  very  confiderable  number  of 
them  on  a  plantation  kept  in  due  decorum  for  feveral  years,  with  no 
other  difcipline  than  keen  and  well-timed  rebukes;  and  my  obferva-> 
tions  have  tended  to  confirm  me  in  opinion,  that  our  Creole  Blacks 
(for  I  fpeakof  them  only)  may,  with  a  very  moderate  inflrudion  in  the 
Chriftian  rules,  be  kept  in  good  order,  without  the  whip.  Rafh  cor- 
reftion  has  often  rendered  them  ftubboni,  negligent,  and  perverfe^ 
when  they  might  have  been  influenced  cheartully  to  perform  every? 
thing  required  of  them,  by  judicioufly  working  on  their  vanity  ;. by 
beftowing  feafonable  rewards  and  encomiums  on  their  praife-worthy 
condudl,  and  by  flinging  reproaches  for  their  mifdemeanors.  There 
are  many  artifices  to  be  prailifed  with  the  greateft  fuccefs ;  fuch  as, 
degrading  for  a  while  from  fome  employment  efteemed  among  them 
a  poft  of  diflin£iion,  and  authority  ;  holding  them  up  to  the  ridicule 
of  their  fellow  Blacks,  and  the  like.  What  they  endure^  upon  thefe 
occafions,  has  nothing  in  it  of  that  ienfe  of  vile  abafement,  which 
corporal  inflidions  are  apt  to  produce ;  and  whenever  corporal  puniflil 
ment  is  carried  to  extreme,  it  is  fure  to  excite  a  hearty  add  indelible 
contempt  and  abhorrence  for  the  infli<Stor. 

The  force  of  ridicule,  on  the  contrary,  brings  upon  them  the  cut- 
ting fneers  of  the  other  Negroes,  and  always  turns  the  edge  of  their 
contempt  and  rage  firom  their  mafter,  to  themfelves ;  aiKl  hence  they 
may  iinart  ooiore  feverely  under  fuch  reprehenfion,  than  they  would 

Ogg  2  under 


41*  JAMAICA- 

tinder  the  fcourge.  Every  overfccr  has  not  the  pattenee,  oi*  talents » 
to  qualify  him  for  this  mode  of  governing,  but  all  ihould  endeavoiur 
at  it ;  and,  for  thi«  purpofe,  it  is  neceflkry  for  each  of  tiiem  to  fiudy 
vv-ell  the  temper  of  every  Creole  Black  under  his  particular  command, 
to  learn  fomewhat  of  their  private  hiftory,  and  never  betray  aoy  figu 
of  heat  or  paffion  in  his  admonitions. 

The  firft  and  chief  requifite  therefore  is  to  know  how-to  command 
his  own  temper ;  for,  without  having  gained  this  advantage,  he  is 
totally  unfit  to  be  a  manager  of  other  mens ;  but  having  (moe  gained 
this  point,  he  need  not  doubt  of  palling  through  a  (ucccfsiul  admi*« 

riftration. 

It  is  certain,  that  the  Negroes,  fo  far  from  fuffering  any  incoiiV€4ii- 
€nce,.are  found  to  labour  with  moft  a^lacrity  andea{eto  themfelws.in 
the  very  hotteft  part  of  the  day.  The  chillncfs  of  the  morning  ait  in 
this  ifland  feems  to  caft  a  damp  upon  their  fpirits,  and  renders  them 
for  a  time  feeble  and  torpid  ;  one  fees  them  creeping  flowly^  out  o£ 
their  huts;  bundkd  up  with  thick  clbathing,  mivering,  and  tineaiy ; 
but  as  the  day  advances,  they  grow  more  and  more  aftive  and  alert. 
The  opennefs  of  their  pores  gives  a  free  tranfpiration  to  bad  humours; 
and  they  would  enjoy  robuft  health,  under  the  hardeft  toils  expedient 
here,  if  they  were  lefs  prone  to  debauch,  and  venereal  excefs.  They 
love  warmth  in  the  night,  and  never  fleep  without  a  fire  iri  their 
hut;  the  watchmen  too,  in  the  open  air,  lay  themfelves  upon  a  board, 
by  a  rouzing  fire,  and  fometimes  fo  near,  as  to  fcorch  their  very  flcins; 
for  it  is  to  be  obferved,  that  thefe  nofturnal  guards,  like  thofe  of 
London,  after  a  comfortable  repaft  in  the  evening,  have  no  objedion 
to  amufe  themfelves,  for  the  remainder  of  the  night,  with  a  dog's 
fleep.  They  account  (hoes  and  ftockings  very  ufelefs  incumbrances ; 
and  the  foals  of  their  feet,  by  conftant  expofure,  acquire  the  callofity 
und  firmnefs  of  a  hoof;  but  fome,  who  are  to  take  a  journey  over  very 
rocky  roads,  prepare  themfelves  with  fandals,  cut  from  an  ox^hide, 
which  they  bind  on  with  thongs.  They  dread  rain  upon  their  bare 
heads  almoft  as  much  as  the  native  Africans ;  perhaps,  their  woolly 
fleece  would  abforb  it  in  large  quantity,  and  give  them  cold.  When 
they  are  caught  in  a  fliower,  it  is  very  common  to  fee  them  pull  off 
fliirt  and  jacket,  and  fometimes  their  breeches  or  trowfers,  all  which 
they  wrap  up  in  a  bale,  and  place  upon  their  heads*     They  ar^  fotid 

of 


BOO!^  I^.    CHAP;  IIL  413 

of  covering  tb^s  part  of  their  bodies  at  all  times,  twifting  one  or  two 
handkerchiefs  round  it,  in  the  turban  form,  whicb>  they  fay,  keeps  them 
cool,  in  the  hotteft  funfliine.     The  fame  cuftom  prevails  among  the 
Eaftern  natVvjs,  and  probably  from    the  like  reafon ;  even  the  free 
Muli^tto  women  h^re  think  themfelves  not  compleatly  dreft  without 
)thi$  tiara».  and  buy  the  fineft  c&mbric  or  muflin  for  the  purpofe,   if 
their  pockets  can  2^ord  it.  The  Creole  white  ladies^  till  lately,  adopted 
the  praftice  fo  far,  a$  never  to  venture  a  journey,  without  lecuring 
their  comj^xions  with  a  brace  of  handkerchiefs ;  one  of  which  being 
tie4over  |h€:fQrebe5ad,i  tjie  other  under  the  nofe,  and  covering  the 
lo^er  part  of  the  %e,  forajed  a  conjpleat  hehnet.     The  Negroes  ufe 
th^ir  heads,  inftea^  pf  their  fiioulder^,  or  backs^  for  carrying  all  forts 
of  burthens;  with  a  dried  plantain  leaf  they  plait  a  circular  pad, 
which  they  call  d,coUa;  qpon  this,,  the  load  refls,  and  preferves  their 
wool  from  being  rubbed  off*     This  cuftom  enlarges,  and  ftrerigthens, 
the  mufclcs  of  their  necks,,  in  aq  amazing  degree ;  and  it  is  really 
wonderful  toe  obfcrve^  what  prodigious  loads  tiiey  are.  ^ble  to  carry 
in  this  manner,  with  the  greateft  apparent  eafe  ;  infomuch,  tha^;  they 
will  even. u^t^  with  them,  and  aiErm,  at  the  fame  time,  with  a  laugh, 
that  they  feel  no  weight ;  perhaps,  the  perpendicular  pofition  of  the 
load,  and  the  equiiibre  which,  from  habit,   they  know  well  how  to' 
give  itj  produce  this  facility,  of  carriage,  while  the  incumbent  pref- 
{uxt  is  dhiunjflied  in.  proportipn  to.  the  velocity  of  their  progreffive 
movement  under  it ;  thi^,  however,  is  no  more  than  happens  every  day 
with  the- London  porters,  fome  of  whom  will  carry  3001b.  weight. 
The  Gotta.lierves  likewife  for  another  purposes  on  the  voluntary  divorce 
of  man  and  wife,  it  is  cut  in  two,  and  each  party  Jakes  half;  as  the 
circle  was  a  fymbol  of  eternity,  and  the  ring  of  perpetual  love  or ' 
fidelity,  fq  this  ceremony,  perhaps,  is  meant  to  exprefs  the  eternal 
feverance  of  their  nmtual  affection.     Their  diet  confifts  generally  of 
pulfe,  herbs,  plantains,  maize,  yams,  or  other  roots,   prepared  with 
pork,  and  fifli,  frefh  or  fait ;  falted  beef,  herrings,  jerked  hog,  or 
fowls.     Salt  fifli  they  are  extremely  fond  of,   and  the  more  it  ftinks, 
the  more  dainty  \  they. make  likewife  a  kind  of  pudding,  with  pounded 
maize  ;  and  fometimes  of  the  fweet  potatoe,  which  they  call  a  pota- 
toe-pone ;  their  broths,  or  pots  (as  they  are  termed),  .are  well  feafoned 
with  the  cpuntry  peppers ;  (?^i6r^  is  a  principal  ingredient ;  and  they  are 

extremely 


5^T4  JAMAICA. 

extremely  rcliflimg,  and  nutritive;  but  they  come  doubly  iiecom« 
mended  by  the  cleanlinefs  of  preparation,  their  cooks  ufually  wafhing 
their  hands  three  or  four  times,  whilft  they  are  about  it ;  I  mean  the 
'Creole  Blacks,  and  better  fort  of  the  Africans;  for  as  to  the  reft,  they 
•feed  with  all  the  beftiality  peculiar  to  the  genuirie  breed  of  Guiney. 
Cane  rats  are  much  in  elleem,  and,  when  roafled  and  ftuf^ed,  are  (aid 
-to  have  a  delicate  flavour ;  but,  to  fee  thero  impaled  before  the  fire 
with  their  goggle  eyes  and  whiikers,  is  enough  to  turn  an  European 
fiomach ;  the  Creoles  wafh  their  mouths,  as  foon  as  they  awake  in  the 
-morning.  About  noon  is  their  ufual  time  of  bathing,  in  fome  river 
open  to  the  fun.  They  firft  wet  their  bodies  all  over,  then  roll  in  the 
Tand,  and  plunge  into  the  water;  this  method  ferves  to  deanfe  their 
"flcins,  as  well  as  foap,  or  a  fleOi  brufli. 

They  arc  all  married  fin  their  way)  to  a  hufband,  or  wife,  pro 
^tempore^  or  have  other  family  connexions,  in  almoft  tvtry  parifli 
throughout  the  ifland;  fo  that  one  of  them,  perhaps,  has  fix  or  more 
hufbands,  or  wives,  in  feveral  different  places ;  by  this  means  dicy 
find  fupport,  when  their  own  lands  fail  them  ;  and  houfesof  call  and 
refrefliment,  whenever  they  are  upon  their  travels.  Thus,  a  gene- 
ral correfpondence  is  carried  on,  all  over  the  ifland,  amongft  the  Creole 
^Blacks ;  and  mofl:  of  them  become  intimately  acquainted  with  all  af- 
fairs of  the  white  inhabitants,  public  as  well  as  private.  In  their 
houfes,  they  are  many  of  them  very  neat  and  cleanly,  piquing  tbem- 
felves  on  having  tolerably  good  furniture,  and  other  conveniencies.  I» 
their  care  for  their  children,  fome  are  remarkably  exemplary.  A  Negroe 
has  been  known  fo  earnefl:  and  iincere  in  the  tuition  of  his  child*  as 
Xo  pay  money  out  of  his  own  pocket  for  fmith*s  work,  to  keep  a 
.truant  fon  employed,  during  his  apprenticefliip  to  that  bufinefs,  that 
Jic  might* not  become  remifs  in  acquiring  a  proper  icnowledge  of  it, 
for  want  of  work.  They  exercife  a  kind  of  fovereignty  over  their 
xhildren,  which  never  ceafes  during  life ;  chaflizing  them  fometimes 
with  much  feverity ;  and  Teeming  to  hold  filial  obedience  in  much 
ijgher  eflimation  than  conjugal  fidelity^  perhaps,  becauie  of  the  whole 
number  of  wives  or  fauflxinds.,  one  only  is  the  obje^  of  particular 
,fl:eady  attachment;  >the  reft,  although  called  wives,  are  only  a  fort  of 
occafional  concubines,  or  drudges,  whofe  afliftance  tlie  hufl^and  claims 
in  the  culture  of  hisiand^  fale  of  his  produce^  and  ib  on;  rendering 

to 


BOOK  III.    CHAP^  III.  415 

.to  theih  reciprocal  a£ls  of  friendfiiip,  when  they  are  in  want*  They 
laugh  at  the  idea  of  a  marriage,  which  ties  two  perfons  together  indif* 
folubly.     Their  notions  of  love  are,  that  it  is  firee  and  tranfitory. 

This  is  well  known  to  their  white  gallants,  for  even  the  autho^ 
rity  of  a  mafter  muft  bend  to  the  more  abfolute  empire  of  Cupid ; 
nor  is  the  fable  beauty  (except  a  very  common  hack)  to  be  won, 
without  fbmc  previous  addrefs  and  courtfliip ;  in  the  progrefs  of  which 
the  powerful  charms  of  gold  muft  generally  lend  their  aid,  to  make 
the  moft  paflionate  fuitor  fuccefsful ;  theie  belles  allowing  nothing , 
more  of  their  perfons  than  their  head>  hands,  and  feet,  to  be  at  their 
mafter's  difpofal.  Their  propenfity  to  lazinefs  is  chiefly  confpicuou^ 
among  the  domeftic  fervants,  who  are  never  more  happy  than  when 
they  can^  End  a  commodious  poft,  pillar,  or  corner  of  a  houfe,  to  loll  • 
againft,  wliilft  they  are  taking  a  nap.  I  have  even  feen  them  fall  faft 
afleep,  whilft  attending  at  table,  behind  a  gentleman's  chair.  Like  fome 
other  animals,  they  are  fond  of  caterwauling  all  night,  and  dozing  all 
the  day.  If  they  indulge  in  fleep  at  night,  one  muft  fuppofe  they  are 
very  little  difturbed  with  anxious  thoughts.  Their  repofe  is  perfeftly 
found;  infbmuch  that  fometimes  they  are  rouzed  with  the  utmoft 
difficulty;  the  loudefl  clap,  of  thunder,,  or  the  report  of  a  cannon  at 
their  ear, .  would  not  wake  them.  On  the  plantations  I  have  feen  ^ 
fome,  but  they  are  moftly  Africans,  fb  exquifitely  indolent,  that  they 
have  contracted  Very  bad  ulcers  on  their  feet,  by  fuffering  multitudes 
of  cbiegos  to  neftle  and  generate  there,  rather  than  give  themfelves  the 
trouble  of  picking  them  out. . 

Although  lome  domeftics  are  very  trufty  fervants ;  the  greater  num»  - 
ber  are  fo,  merely  becaufe  they  have  no  fit  inducement  to  be  other- 
wife,  or  no  means  of  bettering  their  condition.  But  when  occafion 
offers,  of  ferving. themfelves  by  ^  roguifh  fhift,  adieu  fidelity !  .You  may 
confide  a  fum  of  money  to  a  Negroe's  charge,  and  he  will  deliver 
it  punftually ;  but,  beware  of  leaving  any  iiim  cafually  in  his  way,* 
for  he  would  not  be  able  to  refift  the  temptation  of  ftealing  it;  his 
fidelity,  in  the  former  cafe,  arifes  from  his  defire  to  imprefs  you  with 
the  beft  opinion  poffible  of  his  honeft  dealing,  in  order  that  you  may 
afford  him  more  convenient  opportunities  of  pilfering  from  you,  with^ 
out  immediate  detedion.  It  reflects  no  gre^C  honour  on  their  dif^ 
pofition,  that  the  freed  Blacks  and  Mulattos  are  obferved  to  treat 

their 


4i«  JAMA    l-'C-    A.  •   ; 

-  their  flavcs  vilth  extraotcHiiay  4iirfiin^fs',  ^md  fcnAttkiie^  *v^  bafWky  i 
.  a  fiire  charaderiftic  of  a  vrndidlive,  bafe,  aft4  cowardly  »ind. 

T4ie  domeftics  are  remarkably  adroit  in  the  negt)cl^tioft  of.  ali  in* 
trigues,  and  affiiirs  of  gallantry;  find  (hew  a  peculiar  deligbton  being 
lentrufted  ptenipos^  tt^  affift  at  tUefe  ccAigif^es  of  l4)Vev     Upon  tfadTe 
occafions,  the  bra^n  of  a  S"pani(h  enaftiorato,  or  &ti  Italian  ceciibeo, 
cannot  be  more  fruitful  of  expedients.  The  foperfkhiofi  of  th^fe  Blacks 
is   carried  to    very    Angular   lengths,    although    the  toore   poliAed 
among   theni  believe  in  a  future  ftate  of  fewdrd  and  purtifljment ; 
they  do  not  confider  certain  afts^o  be  criminal,  which  ere  ufually  re- 
puted fuch   among  true  believers, — Murder  is  with  moft  of  them 
.efteemed  the  higheft  impiety. -^-l*'i'lhil  difcbedience,  and  inftilting  the 
alhes  of  the  dead,  are  placed  next.     But  as  for  petty  larcenies,  affairs 
.  of  gallantry,  fornication,  G^c.  riiey  are  reputed  only  peccadilloes,  which 
are  fufficiently  puniflied  in  this  world,  with  the  baftinadoe,  or  the  dif- 
tempers  occafioned  by  them.     The  greateft  affrtont  that  can  poffiWy 
be  offered  .a  Creole  N'egroe,  is  to  airfe  his' father,  inofher,  or  any  of 
ihis  progenitors.   This  generally  provokes  a  fpeedy  revenge  on  the  ag- 
greffor,  afrer  every  other  mode  of  provocation  has  failed.  They  firmly 
believe  in  the  apparition  of  fpeftres.     Thofe  of  deceased  ftiends  are 
duppies  ;  others,  of  more  hoftile  and  tremendous  afpe6^,  like  our  raw- 
head -and- bloody-^  bones,  are  called  ^wg^tf^twi".  The  moft  feiifible  ai»ong 
them  fear  the  fupernatural  powers  of  the  Afriean  obeab^men^  or  pre- 
tended'conjurers ;  often  afcribing  thofe  mortal  efifefts-to  -magic,  which 
.are  only  the  natural  operation  of  fome  poifonous  juice,* or  preparaition^ 
dexteroufly  adminiftered  by  thefc  villains.     But  the  Creoles  iftiagiae, 
that  the  virtues  of  baptifm,  or  making  them  Chrifkialis,  render  their  art 
wholly  ineffeftual;  and,  for  this  reafon  only,  many  of  them  havede- 
dfired  to  be  baptized,  that  they  might  be  fecured  from  Obeab. 

Not  long  fince,  fome  of  thefe  execrable  wretched  in  Jamaica 
introduced  what  they  called  the  niy4l  dance^  and  eftablifted  a 
kind  of  fociety,  into  which  they  invited  all  they  could.  The  lure 
ihung  out  was,  that  every  Negroe,  initiated  into  the  myal  fociety, 
would  be  invulnerable  by  the  white  men;  and,  although  they 
;inight  m  appearaace  be  flain,  the  obeah-man  could,  at  his  pleafure, 
iteilore  the  body  to  iife.     The  method,  by  which  this  trick  was 

carried 


BdOX  nil  A    CHAP^   III.  4tyi 

90jpix\6^  not  mBcbf)  of  the  fieart^  bek%'  p^ceptible ;  till;  od  being 
mbbed-^witb atigther  iiifuikRi  (as^  yet'  unknown  to  «he  Whiter), '  the 
cCbd^  d6  dffi^^Q^ltfb  gibdhntiy ' tvbilB  off;  the^'bodf.  i:eiliineiiiit£ 
i^io*«^  iandditffpllr^,  oxi^whooiidi^'^dnsasnt  1^^ 
aimkfi  :^tf  :&0nik  a  tnno^  iientUetjr  ^iibraiit^bfiranjr  thing,  thdt  hsKp 
tpafiedciinQe  he  iHA  odR:  daiudbg^'fj  Not.  }oDg:a^ 
an jial)  fncQ,  bdbgjdeiiixMis  of  ibdiicuig^^^end  of  iiistoiie  ;of  dieir 
|GiktfPgi(m  himr^a  i^tid^rful  tdojibt  xH  the  poiiipjerfol  eficfb  pio- 
dodedvby  thsitdi^  QiBifioisv  inflojjanrtiaaltfly  ^harit  «fti8B»dnthb 
^Uod^T)  vBipen^afaio  to i»ttllMS);': f^:. diat  "tin:  WhitB^  virould  fae.pen- 
^fii^lbpimiai^  ^vaike  ^1^  upooi^tfacm^^sitlibttgh 

thesrcireretb  flu^ot^vlMm  a  tS^ooiandtiides;  'Hfe:&iend  i^ 
witb>great.  angatidw i  ^  i)iitt  feeflied  to  doubt  the  truth  of  it.  exceed- 
ingly/; bittt  at  JfiOgth^^pvopoCed  to  the  tfaat^.if  he  was 
o«rstUdg«o^ndli  (hc|jv^^rhe'!^fliiiuli|  bor  glkdf  tocmake  the  experioient; 
ah'd^'^^^  tarmA^tiflstlie  jHSfoidifedr  he  hanTeif  wDukI  then<  xnoft 
jetdiif  ciMfigitiioiibe  a'ii^aliiiikn;r:i«7b  this  thfaot^^  not 
imagining,  perhaps,'  difit  nutedts  aibould  cocDh  tOjesLtneniitj ;  or  el& 
confvitifed)  in  :hia:dwn  xbiiki  rof-  the.  reality  of  what  htf.  ail^ted* 
.Hairii^  lacpaied  himfel^  hci ;  ftdod  up  ,to.  ceoetve  the  (hot*    UU 

'''' t«l  ^U^^n-^  M  a  ^lo  fSifilk^,  ahdis  f^e^^MKT^i^  oif  Brafil.    Pifi),  213.  Brotriie,- 174. 

to  be  a  pleafant  aQ4  wholdbme.gjreen*  Barhain  &}fs,  he  was  fuipnzed  to  fee  toe  Angola  Negroea 
feat  Iras  we  ^ift  ipinnage  In^Uit^'  viHtiioot  any  pr^tniice,  it  has  fci  ftrong  a  lefemblance  to  the 
^bMy  tilffa^uta:,fi1»a^*^^  ri(ktlfrit;telfijMaii4  fioepedia  watei^  intoaticatct  lift 
";fo,  tb^  ilijriiuy  b,  <^^^«i^^(do;^  ppt  WJtbc^''  Ttejuice.if  cooliiig  andro- 
ftringeift ;  the  leaves,  applied  to^i^  hes^ia phrenetic  fevers,  five  fafe*  It  is  probabk,  its  nar* 
lio^qdaii&s  inif  iitOtcyti  b^^m^M^A'1^{Rt^l^\sVit  tharthe  (^de  juice,  mm  cold  infulioii  of 
Ite  tedta&d  leajnn^.^W^  frith  Piio'i 

other  infufioii,  which  puts  an  eod  to  its  operation,  we  gm  only  ^njecture.  It  is  poffibte,  thair^ 
by  iTec{oent  trials,'  'the  l^egroes  hare  fbtiiid  pretty  accufatdy  the  length-  of  txme  which  the  deep 
mtphA^mi  fc'takr  cm  to;plif6«lftti.^^ofei  Bcftdes,  it  bai  ktely  been  diicovered.  thai  vc- 

f^\*!^flR^^'  ^.V^lffffiyks^  V9(HVf  *f?f  5!?.f¥^H^0P  to  4«.fa»^  of  opium,,  and  aU  vege- 
table poiions,  taken,  interaally  s^  their  es^^rnal  application  has  not  beeo  tried ;  but  might  probably 
aairwertK^'fiatie>\fi-^fe;  ef(k^dia]ty  tbwafi^  t6e'AetiJii4  <if  ^tbeft^  %;  and  I  tbiok  it  is  not 
4iDfike^.  that  thefe  Ncgroesjg^  l^.^lo  wiv^  *^^^  .  ,,    . 

r-oMftl^^I*  Mhh  friend 


all  their  cwvprts;-  Thj^ :  de»tj?my :  ofi  tb«f«^)  priioftAi  tnr  catijuqe»» 
iu  the  prepar^itioa  of  .poiioMmJ  b»9;  bee^n.cneojtwned  byimstayf/sibtiioxsi 

|iraK9i&  it^^droirerancithfti!*:  ^oTiiis  {icMdbti'jdonfiut  kiU  ioinMdiaiitfcty  { 
for 'fo'tt^tiflMs  ,tJtK  fi^  di£^.ibiili:;3rem  afifer  r  rbitt;  iftoin  .^le 

ixKunent  he  itQwm  thcipoifcni^' Jic  &nt^  into-a  jdpdmfey.andei^jrs 
4ratfe\v  days  bf  jgoo^  health.  Kahxi  ^jtspfAhc^r  ocmixioirfjr^^eiBjxIo/ 
it miudi: of  ilif3di)n^tbi^ea  who  ftidbajvcoili^  ic^ifael«dedrU7[.»heir 
^tna^CFS}  znd/fefsaitittf  a£!it^srJBrei^tf(Qmlithfem  o^iimaymeiiir  (WLtdo 
iiot  like;  tqiciMlveafe^ithdltoii^ti'Hl^  iUonvcfr  siihitnjr«i£Mift 
ibr  Jthdiri  fiomit^ffU but  .thi3r6;'are<  ievx  iiaafapplies'iflfj  chdr. iiaving 
poifoned  their  mafters.  Perhaps,  the: soilA ( Arijaftmunt they iyeceivae 
keeps  them  .from  it;  oe  they  lieac  a  difcoyefi^^^aoiH  that, inifuph  cafe 
their  puniihment:  wookd^bc^  wkrjrlufeferetf^}^;!!  Sifcniftaoa ^fiibafte 
giveS'Onb  br  two  ihftanoes  b£^  tbia^pradsderin^r^temM  iiAnd.;Dr. 
Barham  .^elhjus^ '  thkt  ^nbb  dayannafarifloyvcr^  which  Jtgdnwa  etdfied^ 
'mg}y<:omtif06  in^t  tfaeJowlaods  of<tiiati]iiflbd,:iiaibeeu  madeofe 
•d  for  this  parpofi*-  ^It  43^  a.i{^des  o£  liog^^/bade;  (thd^i^iv|pi^^ 
^r&£lufii  of  Sir  Hanrs jSioaot,  (pc  iat^  thd  ^sgHatmioFf  Brrafin^  vgfii  igtL 
It  is  oue^of  the  f  ankeft  poifon.s  in  the  wp^^^^^^^ 
but  iwo  dradim^  of  the>  ^xprefled . Jwife^o  giftc^i  M  /ftrdegr^  which 
•killed  hitp  in  eight  Kitiuic^^ 'bar  fhirirfhtty^ 
ihall  not  deltrx)y  a  pcrloa  in  naany  daySj  ^weeks,  months,  pr  years, 
Stmiecali  it  the  Spaaifb  gilly^flowerw:  .Some* yaarff  pail .  (MNdtiniies 
hey  a  praftitioner  of  phyfick  was  pdiferftdV^  hi^ 

Ncgroerwxvxwn,  who  had  fo  con|riyei3J|i^it*^?t . it  d^w,9ptjdi4>,at<;h 
'him  quickly;  but  he  was  feiied  wkh.<jvtidkat ocgtipM  inelioacioD 
To^omit,  iofs  of  appetite;  arid' aftent^rds' t?^^ 
veral  parts  of  h^s  Tbody^a  lieftic  fever^  aiitf  jconunual  wafUiig  of 
his  flelh.  Upon:' application  to  Dn  daiham.^  jsulvice^ hA  gavdiitm 
fome  nboftdircba  kehitls,  ttt  ihfufe  in-  wtetfi  '5ttl*H!rt*k-fre«ft*rJ^ 


.a  t 


r 
I 


B  QX)  1&  91.  A  Q/H  4  Pi  m.  4,  J 

fj^tn^ttMBB  daft  AuM  frlikkiol^^m  «  ^..^vcMjefflfW  .ao44t -if  re- 
maike^  •.ifaatui)d!>:''9oim4lr  wjll-ij(}<fd4l^;{v«^|(h*i^^^^  ^  tho 

greateft.  ilraiiglWEii  swd:»f|j^«?;  iiq.,<?«h?r  gf«ei|  rf??ng::  appears^    Tho 

fitatti^^iis  ia  jfevBi*:  c^tfOkviaHi^  ;Aalt^«  'awmy  jRaptSf  and  iring^rnvs, 
Saa4i^'^e9ianqA)»riiiAwfc^afc{|Si^q)f^4(riou&  «i^e^s.  '..A)'^ej^j9^ 
ba,Yiftgfo(»cniia'inaj»c^:;ig[6orMl»t4y.  ftftpp^dtba  mouth  of  it  over-,. 
i%bt  <WitH:fimnr:le»vd$.gatMt-«d/ from  this  p^ap^;  O)ae./os  tvro  of 
Tt^ich^Uekiy  aiiifo.ini{Bbt«lctheifr2iK)i^iQ«8rqq92^^  ^  l^quQfv 

trHfei^^nettLmpiiipiig,  Mt  ijiiul^fe?^  .^£,'4|  hiflpfe^^y  .^p^;  4|ftnbufjed 
^V«^$^^'^eanft  ci£)  l»scS!PjKifiryi9e9l  lM^»^}iii)  tefs  than ^wp-, 'hpturs, 
llke^>^(»!ia»ai)t6txsd*with(]^oletq  ypmip^f.j^nd  treooors  all  over 
thi^f  ■  bodies. . '  •  Upon  the  aJarfi  it>e&l^  -^iv^Q*  ?■  furgfeon  wu  Cent  for ; 
but^,' itiefo^ihe  fkaUd  larri^  K^Tte  .c^  them .  expired^  and  another 

!tfy  8«i«litfJ  jp<fait  x>f, death.' '  ,-feJ!»e,qI§4j«tt:  a/r^WjrWf  .'^a'  W?*'."' 
Siaiely  >g6t«;  bnafedyand  tfaf)!ie]tpi-:^d  ju^e 'a^qpiniftered.  The 
6lA  gkifsjl-eyivbd  Ami; ]^gli9e,j^al^  ipj^^rfd; to. ^. dying;  the  fe-. 
^dAd'!fc«Otf|^rhUn  to'.tiK'ttft  «f  hid:fpfi«^h]  ^qd,  upon  Repeated 
€i6ft^  he  conttnoed  niendiog  till  be  w^^-  perfectly  recovered.  The 
HhitkMrabtt"\i^9,  dtmbilig .plant.  Pifo,  p^  .359^  calls  it  likewife 
A(:af<iiM^'«nR&9'fffi[p^^inid,^i«i^«^;:^.^  i^.  .If  if 

a^'fpddcb  of  c^liflpbihgi^.    Itis J^av^f  ;3u|&  di^ofed.like  the  iyy| 
fomewhat  roimtti(hr/diid^.iii9>At.wer^,  ^eiiipaipating  in  three  point^^ 
gf^n^^'IknobUTy  aod.'^iffy^ithft  dowers  f^ttll, '  of  a  duiky  pale  hue ; 
the  fhiie  round*  igtoin^  flikuog,^  about  the.  |^  of  a  large  apple»  the 
lipped 'part  a^peanngtv^tb.KItirqiilar  indentation,  and  at  the  centre 
th<%d ^liMs  unoting  r^ogethfit:  ^\\  ^:  ■/^ex^ iPr :  ^P:  obtuf^'  aogle^ 
'I%4  f)rt4cc^^the.ifk(^fi>is.  di^ied  i^MB^w^at  lijce  th^  walnut,  but 
In  thyfce^  dffiind  casitiesi  ;»p|^rii)^:  t^p  taking  off  the  rind,  per* 
fe£lly  ^wkite,  -and  cootainiog.  an.  oily  kernel,  of.  a  pale  yellow 
Gokwr, .  incloied   in  a  pelli<:le<     Frpm  this  kernel  an  oil  is  ex* 
traced,,  tvhich ..may^be  ufed  for  lao^s,  and  holds  a  long  time  in 
biM$teig  fiittt  itis'  o[^:nO-i»i§  if^r  foo(d>  hgcaufe  it  is  extremely  bitter^ 
a^^^elt-W'tfaefiikit^rcBafii^Qifayst.thf  ficft  time  he  met  with  thi^ 
ptaAt  ^asl  iii'St*  Thomas  in?  the  Val^^;  where  ^lefaw  it  climbing 
and  trtmiiiog up  to^the?  top  of-Tery  high  trees.    It  happened  to  be 

ifa  fruit,  'bs Jeaf  much  :itfreiQbl9a  .the  £ngUih  ivy ;  but  the  fruit 
'.••-'  H  h  h  a     '  is 


is  like  a  green  calibalh;  only  it  M^t  ctfdblar  hUdk  linb  animil  iTi 
jind  two  or  three  warts  or  little  knobs*  The  iisiideiof  the  fkdi  in 
full  of  white/  flattiih  beans,  inclofed  in  a  white  membranous,  fiib- 
ifaince;  and,  when  thotoughly  ripe,  the  £ruit  ttmis  of  a  brnv^nifli 
caft,  Kke  a  ripe  calabafh.  The  beand  or  nuts*  are  then  of  a  li^tiih 
brown  colour,  covered  with  a  thin,  hard  cn&f  in  wfawh  is  ^ 
whitifh  kernel  full  of  oiU  and  exceffividy  bitten  The  mKs  are'ge^ 
nerally  ten  or  twelve  in  a  (hell,  clole  and  comprefied;.  fi>  that» 
after  being  taken  out,  theiy  carmot  be  replaced.'.  He^iays/ Jthi^Spar 
tiiards  call'  it  avilla;  ahd  the*  Negroes^  that  iife  .csmplajreditaig^ber 

it,  called  it  fabo.  Itieenos  toht  zi^^xt^ot'itier/fivUkikiJItHh 
cordatis  angulatts^  lAntitxi  ^i  ¥i.  Angl. '^^  iaatidbfe^  copQoi^  4^ 
««  Jamaica  f  whofe  kernels  yiekl  a  great  deal  of  oil,,  of  a  'bitter 
tafle,  an(i  uled  here  f6r  burning.  The  Negroei  infiiie.  th^fe  kernels, 
tvhen  dried  and  fcfaped  intO^  a  powder,  in  /wh,  to^rcHevei^fpaias  x^ 
the  flomach.  ^  They  al^  'efteeiiii  them  antidbttoitd  poi^m  Bi^t 
the  pod  ieldom  contains  aU^ve  three,  or  atmoft  limu^jieedfl;  $n4 
therefore  it  cannot  bethefamd  m  BarhaiU'e;  ::BibwJtie  ^mtntipBe 
very  imperfeaiy,  p^  373,  a  ptant  which  he-fevfe  growing^. jod. the 
windward  part  of  Montfetrat,  at  the  iide  of  Kaby*s  GruU/;i  Wluch 
bore-white  blofibms,  fi^i^c^eded  by  many  Iarg9  ^ppl^  eonjaia^g^^ 
niimber  oFlarge  cotbpreiled  feeds,  dirperfedin'the^Dulpof  dt^^friMt; 
which  probably  is  the  fame  as  tbatde(efibedtby:BlirliAm«  r.  -  /'-.  . 
'  But  to>  return.  The  Negroes  Wear  the  teedi^ of  wiU:6it^ 
eat  theii:  fteih,  as  a  charm  for  long  life Vfot  they  hold  the  vulgar 
opinion,  that  a  cat  has  nine  lives. -Thii^^ -by  aifimiiatbn  of.  the 
Cat^s  fl'eih  atld  juices '(into  ^aiAr^tiy  th^iqitfgiiietSh&y  cgoiieil$S|i;a 
longevity,  &nd*a  powe^of  fuftaininggwat^atigues.  Many  a  poor 
grimalkin  has  fallen  a  viftilA  to'thift^ftfange  hotbn.  -  Bits  of  fed 
rag,  cats  teeth,  parrots  feathers,  egg-flMlls,  and  fith-bones,  are  ^e* 
quently  ftuck  up  at  the  doors  of  their  hciuies  when  they  go  from 
home  leaving  any  thing  of  value  within  (fometimes  they  baag 
them 'oh' fruit- tr6es,^ahd  place  thetn  1ti^codft-ifierds),it<DL  detieif  <^Mes« 
Upon  converfihg  with  ibme  of  the. C^eo^les  upon  this  ciiAootift^^ 
laughed  at  the  ilippofed  virtue  of  the  charm/ and: fiiidthe]^  priac- 
tifeld  it  only  to  frighten  away  the  ialt- water"  Negroes,  of  whofe  de- 
predations they  arc  diofl:  a]»prehcn(rve«  -  Th^^inecals  ate  the  very 

reverfe 


ROOK    IIL      CHAP;   in,  4ai 

reyerfe  of  6uf  Engliih  certmooj*    The  only  real  moumerfi  are  the 
hufbaiid,  wife)  or  very  near  relations  of  the  deceafed;  yet  even 
ihefe  fometimes  unite  their  voices  to  the  general  clamour  or  fbng, 
whilft  the  tear$  flow  involuntarily  down  their  cheeks.    Every  fu- 
']%8r4  IS  a  Jcijgid  of  feftival ;  at  which  the  greater  part  of  the  com* 
f^iiy  afiUoaejaaair  of  joy  and  unconcern;  and,  together  with  their 
iifigiog,  ^^uoipg",  at>d  muiical  inftruments^  confpire  to  drown  aU 
fetifeof  .a^i£Uon  in  the  minds  of  the  real  mouri^ers.    The  burthen 
of' this  rAHtty  dirge  i$  filled  with  eoconiiums  on  the  deceafed,  with 
i^ftpfi  and.  wiihe$  for  hb  hapfdaeis  in  his  new  flate«    Sometimes 
the  colfinsbearerSi  eipecially  if  they  carry  it  on  their  heads, « pretend 
that  J  the  corplb;  will  not  {proceed  to  the  grave,  notwithftanding.the 
(Kcerttbn  of  *  their  ytfldoft  fhreogth  to  urge  it  forwards.    They  then 
move*  to  diffc^rent  bties,  till  they  come  to  one^  the  owner  of  which^ 
tbcQr  koQw;,  .ha%  dons  fome  idjury  to,  or  been  much  difliked  by,  he 
^deceaiediin  hisi  li&rtime;    Here  they>  expreis  .ibdae  words  of  ind^^ 
natioiik  on  behalf  of  !the dead  man;  then  knock  at  thecofim,.  and 
jtryltQ  fckrth  and  pgeify  the  corpfe :.  at  Jerigth,  after  mwch  perfuar 
lion,  it  begins  to  grow  more  paffive,  and  fuffers  them  to  carry  it  on, 
without  lurtfaer  ftrpggle,  to  the  plaee-of  r^pofe.    At  other  times, 
ihe  €i3rpfc;tark;e$iia  %lden  and  obflinate  .av^riioe  to  be  fupported  on 
the  hedd,  prqferriDg  the  arms;  nor  does  it  peaceably  give  up  the 
difpiote,  until,  the  bearef$  think  proper  ta  comply  with  its  humourn 
Tl^e.-tor^pfc  being  interred,  the  grave  is  but  flightly  overfprcad  with 
earth.     Some  fcratch  up  the  loofe  mould,  with  their  backs  turned 
to  tbegi:ave,  and.caft  it  behind  them  between. their  legs,  after  the 
mtnni^r  cif  jcat^  which  havejuft. exonerated.  This,  they  fay,  is  done^ 
to  t)f event  the  deceafed  per&m  from  following  them  home.    When 
the  deeeaied  i$  .^  diajFried  wcxnan,  th6  huiband  lets  his  beard  re- 
ix)4ib  unfliayie4  and  appears  rather  negligent  in  hitt  attire,  for  the 
fpace  of  '&  month  ;  at  the.  expiration  of  which,  a  fowl  is  drefled  at 
his  houfe,  with  fbme  mefles  of  good  broth,  and  he  proceeds,  ac« 
tompanied  by  his  friends,  to  the  grave.    Then  begins  a  long,  pur«^ 
porting^  that  the  deceafed  is  now  in  the  er^oyment  of  compleat  ie«^ 
licity;  and  tliat  they  are  aflembled  to  rejoice  at  her  ftate  of  4>lifsy 
and  perform  the  laft  offices  of  duty  and  firiendfbip.    They  then  lay< 
a  confiderable  heap  of  earth  over  the  graven*  which  is  called  co^ 
<  ■  vering 


4i4  .  "'  JAM    A'  I   JC:  A^ 

^rhg  if ;  and  tlie  meeting  concladi^  vnih  hkim^  tkett  colta^dt}^ 
drinking,  dancing,  and  Vociferation.  After  this  t^eremony  i^  oi^er, 
•the  widow,  or  widower,  is  at  liberty  to  take  another  Ipouftim^ 
mediately ;  and  the^  t«m*of  mourning  is  at  an  ead.    -     -.*)'."./ 

Th«Negroe  funeral  c^Us  to  mind  the  Ute^iiklp^of^hk  hijgh^atiide 
in  Scotland,  thus  defcribedi  by  Mr.  Pennai^t.  •  Thtt  evening  «fter 
the  death  of  any  perfon,  the  relations  and  friends  d^-«lie  ^ioe^ftfd 
meet  at  the  houie,  attended  bybag-pipe  and^fiddlet  Tfcie««nMre(l?  ^ 
•kin,  be  it  wife,  fon,  or  daughter^  opens  a  Melancholy :l:^i;  dmtifig 
^and  greeting  (/.  e.  crying  violently)  at  cHe^me  time.  Itlm  cb|fti^ 
iTues  till  day-light,  but  with  fuch  gambols  and  frolics  among  thfc 
^rounger  part  of  the  company,:  that  the  Ipfs  whicb  ocQifioned ^theift 
is  often  more  than  fupplied  by  the  coniequenct^  of  thit  nighh  U 
the  corpfe  remains  unburied  for  two  nighffs,  the  ftmip  rites  am*  re^ 
newed.  Thus,  Scythian-like^  they  rejoice  an  the  d^UveMAOtP'Of 
theit  friends  out  «£  this  life  of  thtkvy,  The^i^Jimc6^6rf  lingiajg; 
at  funerals,  is  ftill  in  ufe  in  fome  places^  Thd  ioiigs^eitgeiwiialfy 
inpratfe  of  the  d6ceaied5  or  a  recital  of  the  valiant  debds  of  ^hiiA 
or  his  miceftors.  :»•  r  :  / 

Cambden,  in  his  account  of  the  antient  Irifb,  mentioiis' their 
cuftoih  Qf  udng  eamcft  reproaches  ami  expoftiikrioiYS  vfitll  thi 
cofpfe,  fot  quitting  this  ^v*>Tld>  where  he  (or  (he)  erfjoyedf  fo'mSny 
good  thingS)  fo  kind  a  huCbattd,  fuch  fine'  children,  &c.  There 
feems  aiiiriking  conformity  between  this  anti^t  rite  aikd  that  in 
ufe  among  the  Negroes^  .  > 

The  Negroes  ftrew  grave- dirt  on  the  highway  when  any  tbing 
is  ftolen  from  them^  intimating  tlm  curfe :  ^*  May  the  thief  be  n^ 
^  diiced  to  the  fame  ibite  and  coaditioD  as  the  corp&  whidb  lies  boa 
^  ried  in  the  grave  whence  this  dirt  wasr  taken !  Aay  his  exiftenoe 
^  be  ihortl  may  he  not  live  to  enjoy  his  theft!  but  be  cmmbled 
^  and  trampled  under  foot,  like  the  foil  oi  a  public  road  T* 

This  dirt  is  a  material  ingredient  in  their  folemn  oaths,  which 
am  adminifkred  in  the  following  tmxm^r^  A  fmall  qJuantiQr  of 
the  earth  is  mixed  with  water  in  a  calibaib.  The  peribo  who 
t)&ndcrs  the  oath  dips  his  finger  iiito  the  mixture,  and  crofles  va^ 
rious  parts  of  the  juror's  naked  body,  vepeatbg  the  following  im« 
precatidn  as  he  touchy  each  part,  the  juror  afifenting  at  the  cloie 

of 


BOOK    ffl.  /CHAP,    m  4A3 

of  >everyriehteiici  ;v  after  tvtfcfa, ;  h<5  dfinks;  ^p  the  refi<lue  of  the 
mixture,  and  may  thorefbre  be  iaid  lit^nlly  to  ^al/^w  the  oath, 
winches  to  thihkt&&.:  If  t  have  (ftolen  this  hog^  fowl,  coin, 
obi— isidit  may  inppeiii  to  be  the  cafe),,  may  the  grave  dirt  make  my 
bbweli^rot  t  may.  chey^burft  aod  tumble  out  before  my  face !  may 
Aft  Head  never  cea(e  to  iich:!  jior.  my  joiot^  to  be  tortured  with 
ipAkit&c.^  Regularly,  Jtheokh  ought  to  bQ  adminii^ered  by  an 
crt>dah'manrbuC'thebrfuperftittou  mj^  great  re- 

^^erem^e  and  horror,  even  when  adminiftered  by  any  other  Black, 
•especially  by  an  old  m^'or  woman :  but  they  do  not  apprehend  any 
^ll'^confequence  wiU  Janft.froia  breaking  it,..whea  tendered  by  a. 
<«4^e'perfoti.    .;         :.  .  . 

i' *^n$eyohiv«  go6d  .ears  &r.mufic;  and  their  ibngsi  as  they  call 

^(h^p^^ir^'g^MrilXy  JfTfromp^  without  the  leafi  particle  of 
^fo^fyi  'or  poetic  imragesV  of  which  they,  feem  to ,  h^ve  no  idejj^ 
^Tift  tunis  Gofifift  of  zjbio  part,  which  we  may  ftyle  the  recitative, 
4he^kdy«ii#  which  ht  fitec^etitiy  varied;  and  this  is  accompanied  with 

-infutt  .bt^igenetal  choruf..  .'iSbxxie  of  .them  af?  not  deficient  ia 
'4tMtbd)^;^''althoughitfr^t(me:bf  voice  k^  iox  the  moft  part,  rather 
Tflst^'atid  'melancholy;  •  Inftead  of  choofing  panegyric  for  their 
'ilibje6t«m^ttei*,  ^hey.genei^y.  prefer.bn&of  tddriibli,  and  ^ot  un^ 
fi-equehtly . at  the  ^xpenceof  the  overieer,  if  Jdc  happens  to  be  near,, 
and  liftening:  this  oiily  feryeito  add. a  poigdaftcy^  to; 'their  .fatir/^, 
anrd'he^ghtehd  thtP'tbnv ;  tti  the  crop  feafoo^  the  miiUfeoders  en- 
tertain tWinrfelyeB  v*ry^ftert  with  thtCcjmx  d^efprit  in  the  njght- 
'ffme;  ^nd  tliifs  merriniefie  helps  to  keep  them 'awake. 

Hieir  meriy-wang  is  a  favourite  inftrument,.    a  ruAic  guitar,  of 

fourftrings«.  It  is  made  with. a  calibalh  ;  a.lUce  of  which  Jbeiog; 

taketi  off,  a  dried  bladder,  «.of.  ikiii,.is  ipread,  acrof^  the  largejft 

ieSibnrf^and^thidisfaftertbd  toahandle^  whicH'they  take  great p^ias. 

Uri  xM-n^menti^ng  With  ^fovt,oi'  rode  car^  work,  aiid  xribband^.   , 

■'  '^bt  goonAah'i  inotkitt  isi  the«  muficijl  inftruments,-  is  a  hollow 

^blocfc  of  wobdr  covered  with  Aeepw'ikin  firipped  of  its  hair..    Tl^ 

'  liiufidan  holds  a  Iittl/6  iliek,  of  about  fix  indies  in  length,  (harpenefd. 

*at  bne  end  like  the  blade  of-  a  knife,  tift  each,  hand;     With  one 

B^d  he  fafees  it  ovep  s  iK^hie^  fitct  ^  :wo.odV  fiked :  aax){ii  the  inr 

'iffuhient^  tlie  VihoU  kngtt;^  aiiid  Gr^s.wit]Ltfae.otIier.  alternately,. 

•    '        7  ufing. 


41^  J    A    M    A    r  C    A^ 

ufing  both  with  a  brifk  motioti ;  whilft  ai  iecood  per£brracc  httutt 
with  all  his  might  on  the  (hcep-lkin,  or  tabor.  .    : 

Their  tunes  for  dancing  are  ufually  briik,  and  have  an  agreeable 
compound  of  the  vivace  and  lar ghetto^  gay  and  grave,  paribed~air**> 
ternately.  They  ieem  alfb  well*adapted  to  keep  their  jdancen^  jd 
jufl:  time  and  regular  rhovem^nts;  The  female  dancer,  is.alll  lall^ 
guifliingt  and  eafy  m  her '  moticms  I  the  man^  all  8£tion»  ;fire»  ij^ui^ 
gefture;  his  whole  perfon  is  varioufly  turned  and/lvrkhedrBwiy 
moment,  and  his  limbs  agitated  with  fuch  lively  exertidosi  as  ierve 
to  difplay  before,  his  partner  the  vigour  and  elafticity.of  his  mu&Ieju 
-The  lady  keeps  her  face  towaj;ds  him,  and  puts  on  a  modeft  demure 
look,  which  (he  counterfeits  with  great  difficulty.  In  h^r.paoes 
Ihe  exhibrts  a  wonderful  addrefs,  panicularlyjn  the  motion  of.  her 
bips,  and  (leady  pofition  of  the  upper  part  of  her  peribn;  (he  right 
-execution  of  this  wriggle,  keeping  exa£t  time  with  thQ  njufic^  is 
•efleemed  among  them  a  particular  excellence ;  and  on  this  account 
they  begin  to  pradife  it  fo  early  in  life,  that  few  are  without  it  in 
their  ordinary  walking.  As  the  dance  .proceeds,  the  mu(ic«l|i.  ittr 
troduces  now  and  then  a  paufe  or  reft,  or.  dwells  on  ttvo;Oi;.thitp 
fianiffimo  notes  ;  then  (Irikes  out  again  on  a  fuddea  into  a  nipoe 
spirited  air;  the  dancers^  iii.the  nicsm  .whil^.icqrreifKHi4ing  ^i 
their  movemeQt;s  with  a  great  corr^neis  of  .ear,  m^  propriety  of 
attitude;  all  which  has  a  very  pleaiiog  efFe^  :  ^    .1  :     .  /  .   !  . 

In  the  towns,  during  Ghriftmas  holidays,  thoy^have  fever^l,^ 

Tobuft  fellows  drefied  up  in  grotefijue  habils,  and  ^  pair  M  Pft- 

horns  on  their  head,  fproutiiig  froiii  the  top  of  a  hprrid  fort  qi 

Tizor,  or  maik,  which  about  the  oiouth.  is.  rendered  very  terrific 

with  large  boar-tuflcs«      The  mafquerader,   carrying  a  .  i^opden 

fword  in  his  hand,  is  followed  with  a  iMim^rous  crQud  of  drHplpep 

-women,  who  refrelh  him  frequently  with  a  ftp.of  ,^fted-wjitcr, 

whilft  he  dances  at  every  door,  bellowing  out  John  pentiil  w\^  gfp^ 

veheiftence;  fo  that,  what  with  the  liquor^  and*  the  exercifegr^inoft 

of  them  are  thrown  into  dangerous  fever$ ;  and  fpipe;  exafl^ples  hav^e 

^happened  of  their  dying.    This  dance  is  proba!;)ly  an  honourable 

meoiiorial  of  John  Conny,  a  cclebfa|c4  c^bocero  at  Trej  Pun/as^ 

4n  jlxim^  on  the  Guiney  coaft;  who  flomvi0ie()  about  the  year  i^^ao. 

He  bore  ^eat  authority  among;  the  N^ros  of  that  ,^i^rj  A. . .  When 

the 


Bo6k  ni.  GHAPi  1%  425 

the  Prirflians  dblSrtca  #6rt  Btandenburgh,  th*y  Uft  it  to  bis 
charge;  anci  he  gaflahtly  held  it  for  a  long  time  agaihft  the  Dutch, 
»o  whom  it  was  afterwards  c6ded  bj  the  PrUffian  monarch.  He  is 
mentioned  with  encohiitimby  feveral  of  our  Voyage-writers^ 

In  1769,  feveral  new  miaflw  zppeuted;  the  EbOs,  the  Pajraws, 
ice.  having  thfeJr  refpeftivfe  Conuits,  toale  and  female^  who  were 
ijrefied  in  a  very  laughable  ftyle. 

Thefe  exercifts,  atlihough  very  delightful  to  themfelves,  are  not 
fo  to  the  generality  of  the  white  fpedatorsj  on  account  of  the  ill 
imell  ^hich  copioufly  tranliides  on  fuch  occafions ;  which  is  rather 
a  complication  of  ftiiVks,  than  any  one  in  partteular,  and  fo  rank 
and  powerful,  as  totally  to  overcome  thole  who  haVe  any  delicacy 
in  the  frame  of  their  noftrils.  The  Blacks  of  Afric  aflign  a  ridi- 
culous caufe  for  the  fmell  peculiar  to  the  goat;  and  with  equal 
propriety  they  may  well  apply  it  to  themfelves.  They  fay>  « that, 
*^  in  the  esfrly  ages  of  mankind;  there  wis  a  ftte-divinity,  who  ufed 
<>  to  befinear  her  perfoh  with  a  fragrant  ointment,  thiat  ekiitcd  the 
♦•^  eniulatibn  of  tli6  gc^ts,  And  made  them  refolve  to  peti^tion  her> 
**  to  give  them  a  copy  6f  her  recii^t  for  hia ting  ?t,  or  at  leaff  a 
«  Anall  fample  6f  it.  The  goddefs,  incenfed  at  their  prifuitaptiotf, 
V«  thought  of  a  method  to  be  revenged,  under  the  appearance  of 
'«<  granting  their  requeft.  friftead  6f  the  f\Veet  ointmenil,  the  pre^ 
*«  fented  them  with  a  box  of  a  very  foetid  mi*tu/e,  With'  v^^hich 
"  they  imniediately  fell  ro  bfeda\lblrfg  tfeeftifelves.  The  Aeilch  of 
**  it  \\zs  communicated  to  th6it  poflrerity ;'  dn3,  to  tfih  day,*  they 
**  reniam  ignorant  of  the  ti^itfc  ^ut  iTpOn  theta;  but  value  them- 
<*  felves  on  p6tiSiling  the  gentilife  peAiftfe;  and  are  {o  anxious  to 
♦*  pr'eferve  it  undiminfrtied!,  tliit  the^  very  Cirfefafly  avoid  raitt,  attd 
<<  every  thhigthat  might  poffibly  i'topiafir  the  delicious  ocfbur.^' 
'f'his  rancid  exiialatibn,  fof  which  fo  many  oiF  the  Negroes  are 
remarkable,  dobs  not  fe'em  to  proceed  frbha^  uitcleahlinefs,  nor  th*e 
qualify  of  their  diet.  I  r^rhertbef  a  lady>  whofe  Waiting-maid,  a 
young  Negroe  girl,  had  it  to  a  Very  difagreeable  excefs*  As  (he 
was  a  favourite  fervaht,  her  lirtiftrefs  t(J^  grdat  pains,  and  the  girl 
herfelf  fpared  none,  to  get  rid  oif  it.  With  this  view,  (fie  coii- 
ftautly  bathed  her  body  twice  a  diy,  and  abftatned  wholly  froto 
falt-filh,  and:  all  ^ortBof  rank  f6otf;  BWt  tfite  attertlpf  v>is^  l^tollar 
Vol.  it.  I  i  i  to 


426  JAMA    I    C    A. 

to  wafliing  the  Black-a-moor  white ;  and,  after  a  loog  courfe  of 
endeavours  to  no  purpofe,  her  miftrefs  found  there  was  no  remedy 
but  to  change  her  for  another  attendant,  fomewhat  lefs  odoriferous.. 

The  labourhig  Negroes  are  all  allowed^  by  their  mafters,  a  frock 
and  trowfers  for  the  men,  and  the  women  a  jacket  and  petticoat  of 
oliiabrig,.  befides  woQUen  fiufF;  bu^t  tradejOcnen,  and  the  better  fort; 
are  generally  fupplied  likewife  with  checks,  handkerchiefs^  hats^ 
and  caps ;  and  the  laws  of  the  ifland  oblige  every  owner  to  give 
his  Negroes  proper  cloathing,.  What  they  receive  annually  in  this 
manlier  compofe^  their  wQrking-drefs:  but  there  are  few  of  them 
who  do  not  acquire  fuiEcient  profit,  by  their  huckflering  traffic,  to 
furniih  themfelves  wkh  a  wardrobe  of  better  cloaths  for  holiday- 
wear ;.  upon  thefe  they  beftow  as  much  finery  as  their  circum- 
llances  will  permit,  invariably  preferring  the  gaudieft  colours. 

They  fupply  .their  ignorance  of  letters  by  a  kind  of  technical 
menM)ry.  Few  of  them  can  afcertain  their  own  age„  or  that  of 
their  children ;  but,  when  queftioned  about  any  ^vent  that  has 
happened  in  the  courfe  of  their  lives,  they  recur  to  a  ftorm,  a  par- 
ticularly.dry  or  wet  feafon,  and  the  like#  and  reckon  by  the  number 
of  Chriftmafes  they  recolle£t  fince  thofe  periods.  Thus,  if  you 
alk  a  Negroe  how  long  ago  it  was.  that  he  left  Africa,,  he  anfwers, 
eighty  ten,  twelve  Chriftmas,.  according  as  the  cafe  happens  to  be, 
or  according  to  his  remembrance.  They  have  no  computation  for 
the  fradional  parts  of  a  year ;  and  confequently  can  never  fix  any 
fa£t  or  event  nearer  than  about  a  twelvemonth  before  or  after  the 
time  when  it  occurred.  They  reckon  the  ages  of  their  children, 
their  horfes,  and  dogs,  in  the  lame  manner.  They  give  their  dogs 
as  many  names  as  a  German  prince  ;  or  more  frequently  call  them 
by  a  whole  fentence,  as,  Run-^brj/k-yoU'Catch^^um'-good^  &c.  The 
Africans  fpeak  ^their  refpedtive  .  dialects,  with  fbme  mixture  of 
broken  Engli(h.  The  language  of  the  Creoles  is  bad  Englifli, 
larded  with  the  Guiney  dialed,  owing  to  their  adopting  the  African 
words,  in  order  to  make  themfelves  underftood  by  the  imported 
flaves;  which  they  find  much  eafier  than  teaching  thefe  ftrangers 
to  learn  Englifli.  The  better  fort  are  very  fond  of  improving  their 
language,  by  catching  at  any, hard  word  that  the  Whites  happen 
to  let  fall  in  their  hearing;  and  they  alter  and  mifapply  it  in  a 

ftrangc 


BOOK    IIL'    CHAP.    Ill  42; 

iRrange  manner';  but  a  tolerable  colledtion  of  them  gives  an  air  of 
linewledge  and  importatace  in  the  eyes  of  their  brethren,  which 
tickles  their  vanitj,  >  and  makes  them  more  afliduous  m  flocking 
themfelves  with  this  unmtelligible  jargon.  ^  The  Negroes  fecni 
very  fond  of  reduplications ,;  to  exprefs  a  greater  or  lefs  quantity  of 
any  thing ;  as  walfy^waliy,  talky^taliy^  nvajhy^wajhy^  P^ppy-f^pfyy 
Hk-tk,  -  lilly-lilfyy  f^^-f^fi^ •  fo  bug-a-bugs  (wood-ants);  dab-a-dab  (im 
t)lto,  made  with  maize,  herrings,  and  pepper) ;  bra^bra  (another  of 
their  di(hes)-5  grande^grande  (augmentative  fize,  or  grandeur),  and 
io  forth.  In  their  converfation,  they  confound  all  the  moods^ 
tenies,  cafes,  and  conjugations,  without  mercy :  for  example ;  Ifur^ 
frize  {foTy  I  am  furpirized)^  mc  glad  for  fie  you  (pro^l  am  glad  to  fee 
you)  ;  how  you  do  (for,  how  d'ye  do?)  ;  me  tank  you;  me  v^rwell; 
tec.  This  foit  of  gibberilh  likewife  infers  many  of  the  white 
Creoles,  who  learn  it  from  their  nurfes  in  infancy,  and  meet  with 
much  difficulty,  as  they. advance  in  years,  to  (hake  it  entirely  off^ 
^nd  exprefs  themfelves  with  corre£knefs. 

Many  of  the  plantation  Blacks  call  their  children  by  the  African 
name  for  the  day  of  the  week  on  which  they  are  born ;  and  theie 
names  are  of  two  genders,  male  and  female  ;  as  for  inflauce^ 


Male. 
Cudjoe, 
Cubbenah, 
QuScoj 
Quao, 
Cuffee, 
Quamin, 
Qua(hee, 


Female* 
Juba, 
Beneba, 

Cuba, 
Abba, 
Phibba, 
Mimba, 


Day. 

Monday. 

Tuefd^y* 

Wednefday. 

Thurfday. 

Friday., 

Saturday^ 

Sunday^ 


Qualheba, 
There  are  fome  other  words,  that  are  rcmarkiabjle  for  the  different 
fenfes  in  which  they  are  ufed ;  viz. 


Mungo, 
Bumbo, 

Cofice, 

Guinn^,  Guince, 

Sangara, 

Tate, 

Keniie>kenne| 

Buaw, 


Original  Import. 
Bread, 
Alligator, 

Goodmorrow, 


C(Hnmon  Import*  Dia^e6t. 

Negroe's  name,  Mundingo. 

Puekndum  muUehre^  Idem, 

rName  of  a  plant,  the  berries  of  which  \ 
I     yield  an  agreeable  morning  repaft  >  Full, 
to  many  ot  tire  Negroes^ 


Devil,  Name  of  the  flave  country, 

Brandy,  Sangree,  or  Strong  Negus, 

Tht  Pofteriors,  Tete,  the  heul  in  French, 

Small*rand|  lUnt,  Graec.  Chus^  Lat« 

Devil,  Bullock .(Negroe  pteafc), 

I  ii  2 


Jaloff,  F31i. 

Idem 

Jaloif. 

Mundingo. 

Idem* 

Some 


;v'* 


42«  JAMAICA. 

Some  good  perfons  hare  expcefled  their :  Tjoflnes,  th;^  jth^  l^f^m^ 
tion  Negroes  tni^ht  be  all  converted  to  the  ^Z^ifUaii  f^ith.    TMp 
planters  would  be  the  laft  to  oppoTe  fuch  a  fcbfiiBe,  if  it  \y^f 
thought  pra<5ti cable ;    well    Icnow.^ng,   that  their  jbctcon^ipg  jtru^ 
C!hri(1:ians  would  work  ao  change  of  pccfierty,  Arid  |i>igbl:  pf)f^Wy 
amend  their  manuers.     But  few«  if  s^py,  of  the  African  nativesi^ 
will  liften  to  any  propofition  .tend;iDg  to  dcpr^iw  ^Iw*  of  Ifhejir  fa-: 
vourlte  iiaperftitions  an^  f^afual  delights.     Trhs  FoftygUi^  mifr 
fionaries  at  Coiigo,  perceiving,  upon  .^xpeiieijce,  <ii^  ^  rghgipp,  in- 
culcating rigid  precepts  of  morality,  {elf-dfiniai,  hoaefty,  %m^  aj^- 
ftinence  from  womeo  and  drunken»e&,  >)yas  not  ait  all  x^GxfA, 
contrived  to  form  a  medly  of  Paganifnj  andChriftaaiUt/i\wJbi(± 
was  more  acceptable,  and  has  gained  ^hem  i^aoy  c^Ay^Rts^  ftw 
the  exterior  ceremonies  and  facraments  being  indb^co&Wy  .$Pr 
forced  ;  whtle,  in  other  refpe£ls,  they  ace  left  to.thft  antient  fljiode^ 
of  their  country.    1  have  Icnown  ibme  Gr£olc  .flares  ^ffifje  .to  \fp 
baptized;  but  thev  had  no  other  motive ithan .to ihe ^pcotetSifjlfrQ^ 
the  witchcraft  of  obeiah-men,  or  preteaokd  forcerejcs ;  ,wiii?h  af- 
fords  a  plain  proof  of  the  inHuence  which  fupfrjUtion  iho^s  fiy,^ 
their  minds.     But  the  mere  ceremoay  of  baptifm  wovkld  jqo  ^ipr^ 
make  Chriftians  of  the  Negroes,  in  the  juft  feufe  of  the  word, 
than  a  found  <{rubbing  would  convert  an  illiterate  iaggot-maker 
into  a  regular  phyfician.     The  Rev.  Mr.  Hughps.  fppporti  the  fame 
opinion.     '*  To  bring  them,**  fays  be,  ^  in  genera\,  to  the  know* 
**  ledge  .of  the  Chriftian  religion  is  .undoubtedly  a  great  and  good 
*•  defign,  in  the  intention  laivlable,  and  in  fpeculat;ipn  q^fy ;  yet,  I 
^  believe,  for  reafons  too  tedious  to  be  mentioned,  that  the  diffl- 
«  culties  attending  it  are,  and  I  am.  afraid  ever  wjll  bie,  ii>furmoua- 
•'table.'*     This  will  appear  ilefs  extraordinary,  when  we  coAl(\der, 
that  very  few  of  the  North-American  Indians,  who  arQ  far  mpre 
civilized  and  enlightened  people,  have  as  yet  been  perfuaded  to 
embrace  Chriftianity,  nptwithftanding  the  inceflant  and  indefati- 
gable labours  of  French  and   Eqglifli  miffionaries  for  fo  many 
years.     Not  many  of  thefe  pious  men  have  crowned  their  apoftle- 
fliip  with  any  other  ifl'ue  than  by  becoming  enrolled  in  the  ho- 
nourable lift  of  martyrs.     No  peifu^fion,  I  am  induced  to  think, 
can  wholly  recall  them  from  pvir/uing  the  favourite  bias  of  their 

minds 


BOOK    m.      ClfA^.    IIL  429 

minds  towards  their  prefect  fyftem  ;  which  lays  no  penalty  or  pe* 
pancepn   their  fcnfual  pleafure^s,  impofes  no  reftraint  of  decorum,. 
?n(J  which  tplfjrates  their  ynl^niited  indulgence  in  thofe  vices  and: 
delightful  abfur^ities  which   ^re  exprefsly  reprpbated  by   the  Chri- 
ftijin  A)^rines.     The   laws  of  Jamaica   require  the  planters  to  do 
t\ieir  u^xnoft for  converting. their  Negrops,  and  caufing  them  to  be 
baptized,  lb  fooa  as  they  can  be  put  into  a  fit  capacity  of  fentiment 
Jto  admit  of  it*     Bpt  their  general  inappetency  to  heconpe  converts,, 
.together    with  .their  barharqus    ftupiaity,    and    ignorauce  of  the 
^pngllfl)   l^^g^age,  which  render  theqi  i^icapable  of  underftanding 
pr  r^afoning  up9n  vyhat  is  faid  to  theip,  would  foil  the  q;ioft  ^ealops 
f  i>dieavours,     Befides,  the  planters  are  averfe  tp  ?xert  an  .authority 
9t^d  conftraint  over  thwr  mi^ids,  which  might  wear  the  appearance 
ftf  religious  tyranny.     They  do  not. think  the  cayfe  pf  Ghriftianity 
at  j^ll  honpured   by  adding  involuntary  profely tes ;    they  hold  it 
father  for  a  .fliam^ful  hypocrify  and  infult  to  the  true  \yoi:(hip-    But,. 
ysi\\^n  any  of  their  Negroes  havcmadarequeft  to  be  baptized,  I  never 
Jfeti^vY*  uor  hcsrd,  of  a  planter^s  having  refufed  compliance  with  it.. 
The  Creole  I^cgrpes  are  the  f^tteft  fubjedls  to  wpr|c  upon ;  and, 
wilh  fonie  pain^s   (as  they  have  better  knowledge  of  the  .Engliflii 
totiguc),  they  might  prpbably  be  brought  to  retain  fomc  of  the  ele*^- 
iartentS/of  Chriilianif;y.      It  would  certainly  be  produilive  of  good- 
-gonfequences,  if  the  mprefenfible  part  of  them  were  to  be  bapjt^zed, 
.apd  Qccafionally  inftrufted,  as  far  as  they  can  be  made  to  under- 
.ftaod,  in  .the  morality  and  fundamental  points  of  our  holy  faiths    Iw 
Qtder  to  this,  the  baptifmal  fees  payable  for  Negroes  ought  tp  l^e 
4x^d,  by  the  juftices  and  veftry  in  each  parifb,  at  a  very  low  rate  ;. 
tihp  prefent  ordinary  rate  of  i  /..3J.  9^.,  paid  by  the  owners^  being 
,Qilor.mp»fly  high.     A  Popifli  miffionary  would  perform  the   cere* 
pippy  gratis^  and  be  happy  at  the  occafipn;   but,  in  forae  Qther 
^ftabliftmients,  we  too  often  find,  that  it  is,  no  fe^^  no  holy  'water  \, 
no pay^  noSvxtfs.      Bofpian  (hrewdly  pbferves,  *'  that,  if  it  were- 
"  ppffible  to    convert   the   African  Negroes   to  Chriftianky,    the- 
*^  Roman  Catholics  wopld  probably  fucceed   much  better  than  any 
.*'  Other  feft;,  becaufethey  agree  in  fome  points,  fuch  as  tibftinen(;e 
^*  ffpm  pfirticul^r. kinds  of  food  on  certain  days,  &c,  and  in  their 

,1^  mutual    attachment  for  ceremony  aud  fuj^orftitioji/'     Jn  /asJJ:, 

the^' 


450  JAMAICA. 

the  vulgar  herd  is  much  more  afFefted  by  thofe  things  which  ftrike 
the  eye,  than  what  are  direfted  to  the  heart.  Negroes  are  the 
apteft  fubjefts  in  the  univerfe  to  be  kept  in  fubordinatioa  and  dif^ 
cipline  by  the  awful  ceremonies,  the  indulgencies,  injundlions, 
.mummery,  and  legerdemain,  of  the  Romifli  church  and  its  mi- 
snifters.  Hence  it  is,  that,  in  the  French  fettlements,  we  find 
them  as  much,  if  not  more,  reftrained  by  the  fuperftitions  of  that 
•.communion,  than  by  the  rigour  of  edifts  and  codes.  Ihave  feen 
.many  of  them  provided  with  ftore  of  croffes,  relicks,  and  con- 
:fecrated  annulets  ;  to  which  they  paid  the  moft  fincere  veneration, 
.though  wholly  uninformed  of  any  thing  inorc  than  the  efficacy 
of  thefe  baubles,  the  neceffity  of  adoring  the  BlefTcd  Virgin  and  a 
few  chofen  faints,  the  power  of  their  priefl  to  abfolve  fins,  and  the 
damnable  ftate  of  all  heretics.  They  had  alfo  acquired  a  Pater 
Nojier^  a  few  Ave  Marlds^  and  the  right  method  of  croHing  them- 
felves,  and  counting  their  beads,  morning  and  evening. 

I  doubt  not  but  that,  in  the  French  churches  belonging  to  their 
iflands,  fhey  have  images  of  Hack  faint  s^  like  the  Portuguele  at  Ma- 
deira, for  the  particular  devotion  of  thefe  poor  wretches.  Thefe 
arts  our  edablifhed  church  difdains  and  abhors,  it  being  founded 
on  the  principles  of  reafon,  and  therefore  adapted  only  to  rational 
minds;  which,  by  their  own  natural  ilrength,  are  capable  to  judge 
of  its.redLtude,  and  embrace  it  on  account  of  its  purity  and  re- 
finement from  that  very  grofsnefs  which  pleafes,  while  it  enflaves, 
other  minds,  that  are  clouded  with  ignorance.  Next  to  the  Romifh 
forms,  perhaps  thofe  fyflems,  which  are  fet  off  with  abundance 
of  enthufiaftic  rant  and  gefliculation,  would  operate  moft  power- 
fully on  the  Negroes;  fuch  as  Qaakerifm,  Methodifm,  and  the 
Moravian  rites.  The  Romifh  practices  we  find  at  leaft  beneficial 
in  the  French  iflands,  co-operating  with  flate-policy,  and  contri- 
buting flrongly  to  maintain  their  flaves  in  peaceable  fubjeftion.  In 
•our  colonies,  we  are  in  want  of  fo  potent  a  co-adjutor  to  our  mu- 
nicipal laws }  and,  from  this  caufe,  one  fhould  think,  ar«  nKDre  li- 
able to  be  difturbed  by  infurre6Hons,  than  the  French  iflands^  to 
iwhich  end  alfo  another  local  difference  would  fecm  much  to  con- 
duce. The  Negroes  in  the  foreign  colonies  are  habituated  to  the 
jfightiDfa  defpotic  frame  of  government,  -which  controuls  their 

mailers 


BOOK    in.      CHAR    III.  43t 

mafters  from    hlgheft  to  loweft,   and  aflimilates  their  conditiori 
nearer  to  that  ftate  of  fervility  under  which  they  live  themfelves. 
But,  in  our  iflands,  the  word  liberty  is  in  every  one*s  mouth ;  the 
aflemblies  refound  with  the  clamour  of, ."  liberty  and  property  ;*• 
and  it  is  echoed  back,  by  all  ranks  and  degrees,  in  full  chorus.  The 
Whites  are  nearly  on  a  level ;  and  the  loweft  can  find  the  way  of 
bringing  the  highefl  to  public  ju  ft  ice  for  any  injury  or  oppreflion; 
The  Negroes  here  grow  habitually  familiar  with  the  term  ;  and 
Have  that.obje£t  ever  obvious  to  their  fight,  which  is  wholly  w^ith- 
held  from,  or  at  leaft  but  dimly  feen  by,  the  French  Blacks.     To 
the  fame.  effe<St  is  the  remark  of  Montefquieu  :     •'The  multitude 
*«  of  flaves  has  different  efFctts  in  different  governments/    It  is  nd 
**  grievance .  in  a  defpotic  ftate,  where  the  political  flavery  of  the 
"  whole  body  takes  away  the  fenfe  of  civil  flavery.     Thofe;  who 
**are  called  freemen,  are  in  reality  little  more  fo  than  they  who 
**  do  not  come  within  that  clals.     This  makes  it  therefore  a  mattet 
•'of  Indifference,  whether,,  in  fuch  ftates,  the  flaves  be  few  or  nu- 
*^  merous.     But,  in  moderate  ftates,  it  is  a  point  of  the  higheft  ini* 
«*  portance,  that  there  ihbuld  not  be  a  great  number  of  flaves.   The 
««^  political  liberty  of  thofe  ftates  adds  to  the  value  of  civil  liberty  ; 
**  and  he,  who  is  deprived  of  the  latter,  is  deprived  alfo  of  the  for- 
•«-mer.     He  fees  the  happinefs  of  a  fociety,  of  which  he  is  not  fo 
*^  much  as  a  member :  he  fees  the  fecurity  of  others  fenced  in  by 
"laws  ;  himfelf,  without  any  proteftion  :  he  fees  his  matter  has  a 
"  foul  which  can  enlarge  itffelf ;  while  his  own  is  conftrained  to 
«  fubmit  to  a  continual  depreflion;      Nothing  more  aflimtlates  a 
**  mai)   to  a  beaft,^  than  living  among  freemen ;  himfelf  a  flave. 
«'  Such  people  as  thefe  are  the  natural  enemies  of  the  fociety ;  and 
<*  their  number  muft'be  dangerous.     It  is  not  therefore  to  be  won^  - 
"  dered  at,  that  moderate  governments  have  beenfo  frequently  di- 
**  fturbed  by  revolts  of  flaves ;  and  that  this  fo  fcldom  happens  in 
^«  defpotic  ftates  r 

It  has  been  a  matter  of  fiirprize  to  forae,  that  the  Negroes  in 
our  colonies  do  not  increafe  in  that  natural  proportion  which,  Js 
obferved^  among  mankind  in  other  countries,  and  to  a  remarkable 
degree  among^  the  Blacks  of  Afric.  Some  writers,  perceiving  thfe 
large  and  continual  importations  made  every  year^  and  which  are 

found 


432  JAMAICA. 

found  expedient  for  the  carrying  on  our  plantatrons  iii  tTitffe  parts, 
attribute  this  wafte  to  the  too  fevere  labour  and  oppreflion  they  are 
forced  to  undergo.  But  this  is  an  erroneous  conjedlure :  the  au- 
thors, not  having  redded  in  thefe  colonies,  were  not  fufficienfly  in- 
formed,  to  attend  to  other  caufes,  which  prove  riiOre  deftru'dlve 
than  the  fevereft  toil ;  nor  to  thofc  which  throw  iraped?ments  m 
the  way  of  a  regular  propagation. 

It  was  computed  formerly,  that  fix  new  Negroes  were  required 
iannually  to  every  hundred,  to  keep  up  the  flock  in  Barbado^s. 
The  prefent  import  at  Jamaica  does  not  exceed,  upon  an  avei*age, 
fix  thonfand  J>er  annum  ;  which-  is  about  the  rate  of  four  to  on6 
hundred. 

In  the  year  1 761^  when  a  draught  of  two  thoufand  Negroes  was 
cnade  here,  to  be  fcnt  on  the  Havannah  fervice,  the  whole  number 
of  ilaves    in    the   iflaud,    according  to  the  account   then  taken, 

was         -^ 146805 

I  do  not  cxaAly  know  the  number  that  returned  from 
that  expedition.  Several  deferted,  and  fome  were  killed ; 
but  I  fuppofe  the  non-returned,  from  the  beij  enquiry  I 
can  make,  amounted  to  about  eight  hundred ;  which, 
being  dedudled  from  the  above  total,  there  remained  about  -  146000 
in  1768,  by  an  account  takeO)  there  were  found    — >    -»  166904 


So  that  the  whole  flock  was  augmented,  in  feven  years,  20904 

The  import,  at  the  average  of  6000 per  ann.  [;ir],  was  42000 

From  which  deducing  the  augmentation,         ■    ■■  ■  20904 


There  appears  a  dead  lofs  of       ■  ■  ■  ■  21096 

which  is  equal  to  about  3000  per  annum  \  and,  at  35/.  fterling  per 
liead,  makes  105000/.  annual  lofs  in  value;  a  morf  aftbnirfiing 
fum!  Upon  moftof  the  old  fettled  eftates  in  this  ifland,  the  number 
of  births  and  deaths  every  year  is  pretty  equal,  except  any  ma- 
lignant   diforder   happens.      The   deaths,     which  conftitute    the 

[at]  I  have  put  the  average  at  6000,  though  perhaps  h  is  mo  fma}l  a  number/  c6nfi()cno^  the 
hnlkntts  of  the  African  trade  during  part  of  the  time,  and  that  a  great  many  French  N^^roes 
were  brought  io  from  the  conquered  iilands.  The  average  for  fome  ot  the,yeafs  iii  this  ierib  was 
9000 ;  but  others  fell  (hort.  In  the  preTent  compufacion,  tl^  ^eitter-  tht  ifehgik'  h  prbted  to 
liave  bccDy  the  higher  moil  the  I0&  appear.    But  I  have  chofeo  rather  lobe  under  than  over. 

major 


BaoR    III.-     CHAP.  Mil.  ^^ 

tnlj^ff  fiart-*  of 'tlilj  «lboVe  atttiual  balance,  are 'bf^iativ^  Africans. 
Hence  fhefefone  appears  *he  miftake  of  the  writera  before^ment 
tioned ;  for  it  is  well  krtown,  that  thefe  new  Negroes  art  alrfrays 
much  mdulged  during  the  firft  two  or  three^ years  after  their  arrival^ 
being  put  to  the  gentleft  work,  that  they  may  be -gradually  fea*i. 
foned  to  the  change  of  climate,  and  trained  by  a  flow  and  eafy 
progrefs  to  undergo  the  fame  degree  of  labour  as  the  reft.  If  then 
all  this  care  and  preparation  be  neceflary,  and  not  only  neceflary, 
but  actually  attended  to,  it  may  be  aflced,  by  what  means  it  comes 
to  paft,  that  we  oblbrve  fo  great  a  decreafe  among  them  ?  In  reply 
to  this,  feveral  reafons  may  be  given. 

Thefe  Negroes  are  few  of  them  exempt  from  a  venereal  taint ; 
find  very  many  have,  at  the  time  of  their  arrival,  that  dreadful 
ffifoi^derj  the^^wi,  lurking  in  their  blood.  It  is  faid  (I  know  not 
with  What  truth),  that  the  furgeons  on  board  the  Guiney  (hips  ule 
methods  to  repel  it,  by  a  mixture  of  iron-ruft  with  gun-powder 
and  lime-juice,  ihcrder  to  remove  all  external  (ymptoms  of  it  be^- 
fbre  thiiy  are  expofed  to  fale.  There  is  fome  reafon  for  believing 
that  fuch  wicked  frauds  have  been  praftifed;  becaufe  it. is  no  un-* 
common  thing  to  fee  a  whole  parcel  of  new  Negroes,  within  a 
few  weeks  after  they  are  brought  on  a  plantation,  break  out  all  to- 
gether with  this  difofder,  and  efpecially  if  they  have  drunk  the 
cane-liquor  in  the  boiling-houfe,  which  is  very  efficacious  ill 
throwing  the  venom  out  of  the  habit.  '       •  / 

-  The  plantation  furgeons  have  depended  chiefly  on  ^riercurial 
preparations  for  a  cure ;  but  it  is  found,  that  fuch  medicines  break 
and  impoverifh  their  blood,  and  fubje£t  them  to  catch  violent  colds, 
which  often  ftrike  the  matter  in  upon  the  nobler  parts,  and  brin^ 
on  the  joint-evil.  Sometimes  they  fall  into  dropfies,  which  gene- 
tally  prove  mortal;  for  this  diforder  requires  a  very  nutrkioos  diet  j 
anid  <Sxperience  proves,  that,  when  left  to  nature,  ai'Kl  the  ufe  of 
flour  of  brimftone,  to  keep  the  humour  in  a  cottftant  elimination 
towards  the  ikin,  it  gradually  wears  off  in  about  three  years.  Mer- 
curials interrupt  this  natural  crifis,  and,  inftead  of  curing,  generally 
either  fix  the  diforder  more  rootedly  in  the  habit,  or  give;  rife  to 
others  of  the  moft  dangerous  kind.  -  ! 

Vol* II.  Kkk  I  have 


434  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

I  have  had  occafion,.  in  the  courfe  of  feveral  years,  to  mark  the 
fate  of  many  hundred  new  Negroes ;  and  am  pofitlve,  that  a  third 
part  of  them  have  perithed,  within  three  years  after  their  arrival, 
by  this  difeafe,  through  a  miftaken  method  of  treating  it,  and  the 
too  eager  defire.of  their  owners,  or  an  affeftation  of  extraordinary 
ikill  in  their  doftors,  to  make  a  fpeedy  cure  of  it  by  (bme  mercu- 
rial noftrum.  Another  miftake  has  arifen,  by  judging  from  the  ap- 
*  pearanceof  an  acrimonious  humour,  (b  copioufly  difcharged,  that 
the  patients  required  to  have  their  juices  corrected  by  proper 
fweeteners  of  the  blood,  and  a  low,  abftemious  diet.  This  error 
has  but  ferved  to  haftcn  their  death.  Inftead  of  oatmeal  gruel,  and 
fuch  weakening  meffes,  they  ought  to  have  their  ftrength  fuftained, 
during  the  progrefs  of  the  eruption,  and  whilft  it  continues,  with 
hearty  food,  nourifhing  broths,  and  the  like  ;  which  preferve  the 
blood  in  a  balfamic,  vigorous  flate,  and  enable  nature  to  throw  out 
the  latent  virus.  This  diftemper,  there  is  reafbn  to  believe,  holds 
a  near  affinity  with  the  fmall-pox ;  at  lead,  it  has  been  remarked, 
that  the  natural  fmall-pox,  in  thofe  afflided  with  the  yaws,  is 
comnK>nly  very  mi|d. 

Mercury  has,  in  this  climate,  a  great  propenfity  to  falivate;  and 
moft  of  the  Negroes,  by  frequently  taking  mercurials  for  venereal 
complaints,  have  their  fluids  fo  impregnated  with  them,  that  the 
utmoft  caution  is  neceiTary  in  adminiftering  fuch  medicines.  For 
this  reaibn  too,  they  cannot  bear  frequent  repetitions  of  flrong  pur- 
gatives ;  the  confequence  of  fuch  copious  evacuations  being,  almofl 
always,  a  tendency  to  a  dropiy. 

The  fmall-pox  has  frequently  made  great  ravage  among  them* 
Sometimes  they  have  been  landed  with  this  difeaie  upon  them  i 
and  this  has  proved  fb  fatal,  that  I  have  known  feven  in  ten  die  of 
it,  which  is  equal  to  feventy  in  a  hundred,  or  fifty-fix  more  than 
the  computation  made  of  thofe  who  die  in  England  by  this  diibrder 
taken  in  the  natural  way.  The  late  method  of  inoculation,  hap- 
pily praftifed  in  this  ifland,  promifes  fair  to  put  an  end  to  fuch 
dreadful  examples  of  mortality ;  and  I  therefore  only  mention  this, 
as  one  principal  fource  of  depopulation  which  exiftcd  here  before 
inoculation  was  brought  into  general  ufe,  which  was  not  long  ago. 

The 


BOOK    III.     CHAR     m.  435 

The  removal  of  Negroes  from  a  dry  to  a  damp  fituation,  ftotst 
a  South  fide  to  a  North  fide  pariih,  has  often  been  fatal  to  many. 
New  Negroes,  feat  into  the  mountains  immediately  after  their  im- 
portation, efpecially  during  a  wet  feafon,  are  almoft  fure  of  being 
affliffced  with  fevere  colds,  pleurifies,  fluxes,  and  other  diflempers, 
which  prove  their  bane.  Even  the  Creoles  do  not  bear  thefe  re- 
movals from"  places  where,  perhaps,  they  have  refided  from  the  ' 
time  of  their  birth.  And  it  is  inconceivable  what  numbers  have 
periflied,  in  confequence  of  the  law  for  recovery  of  debts  ;  which 
permits  Negroes  to  be  levied  on,  and  fold  at  vendue.  By  thrs 
means,  they  are  frequently  torn  from  their  native  fpot,  their  deareft 
connexions,  and  transferred  into  a  (ituation  unadapted  to  their 
health,  labouring  under  difcontent,  which  co-operates  with  change 
of  place  and  circumilances  to  (horten  their  lives. 

Some  planters  think  it  good  policy  to  quarter  their  new  Negroes 
among  the  old  fettled  ones :  but  thefe  hods  generally  make  theii; 
guefls  pay  dear  for  their  lodging  and  maintenance,  forcing  them  to 
be  their  "  hewers  of  wood,  and  drawers  of  water;"  and,Jn  fbort, 
impofing  oh  their  ignorance  without  meafure  or  miercy,  until  they 
fink  under  the  oppreffion ;  whilft  the  owner,  a  ftranger  to  what 
pafles,  is  furprifed  to  fee  them  continually  on  the  decline^  and  gra- 
dually confuming,  without  any  fufpicion  of  the  real  caufe. 

The  introduftion  of  too  many  recruits  at  once  has  fometimes 
proved  fatal  to  them.  It  is  very  evident,  that  a  fmall  number  can 
be  much  eafier  and  better  provided  for,  lodged,  fed,  and  taken  care 
of,  than  a  multitude^  The  planter  therefore,  who  buys  only  eight 
or  ten  at  a  time,  will  in  the  end  derive  more  advantage  from  them, 
than  the  planter  who  buys  thirty  ;  for,  by  the  greater  leifure  and 
attention  in  his  power  to  bellow  upon  them,  he  will  greatly  leflen 
the  ordinary  chances  againft  their  life,  and  the  fooner  prepare  them 
for  an  effedlual  courfe  of  labour.  The  comparifon,  indeed,  founded 
upon  fa£t  and  obfervation,  is,  that,  at  the  end  of  three  years,  the 
former  may  poffibly  have  loft  one  fifth,  but  the  other  will  itioft 
probably  have  loft  one  half,  of  their  refpeftive  numbers.    - 

The  women  do  not  breed  here  as  iti  Africa ;  for,  in  fhort, 
it  has  never  been  the  planter's  care  to  proportion  the  number  of 
females  to  males:  upon  fome  eftates  there  are  fiv«  mcn;to,one, 

K  k  k  2  woman. 


436  J    A    M    A    I    C    A.  ^ 

womaiu  Notv,  thb  populatioa  of  Afric,  as  has  beei>  ^cwtt^  *  is 
partly  kttputablc  to  their  larger  proportion  ofwonacu;  infomucb 
riiat,  although  the  greateft  man  among  their  provinces  may  have 
fifty,  fixty,  or  more  wives  or  concubines,  yet  the  meaneft  man  is 
fore  of  one  at  leaft.  The  women  here  are>  in  general,  commoa 
proftitutes;  and  many  of  them  take  fpecifics  to  caufc  abortion, 
in  order  that  they  may  continue  their  trade  without  lofs  of  time^ 
or  hindrance  of  bufinefsj  and,  befides,  their  admitting  fuch  pro- 
mifcuous  embraces  muft  neceflarily  hinder,  or  deftroy,  conception. 
We  may  add  to  this  the  venereal  difeafe  ;  which,  together  with  the 
medicines  taken,  either  to  repel,  or  carry  off  the  virusy  frequently 
kills  the  foetus,  and  fterilizes  both  ti\en  and  women. 

Worms  are  extremely  fatal  to  children  in  this  climate,  and  de- 
ftroy  more  than  any  other  dileafe.  Others  frequently  perifli,  within 
nine  or  ten  days  of  their  birth,  by  what  is  called  here  jaw-falling  \ 
which  is  caufed  by  a  retention  of  the  meconium :  by  not  keeping  the 
iiifant  fufficiently  warm ;  or  by  giving  it  rum,  and  aliment  of  hard 
digeflfion. 

Moft  of  the  black  women  are  very  fubjeft  to  obfl:ru<5lions ;  from 
what  caufe  I  will  not  prefume  to  fay ;  but,  perhaps^  they  may  be 
afcribed,  iprpart,  to  their  ufing  reftringent  baths,  or  washing  them- 
felves  in  cool  water  at  improper  periods.  Child-birth  is  not  fb  eafy 
here  as  in  Afric;  and  many  children  are  annually  deftroyed, 
as  well  as  their  niothers,  by  the  unfkilfulnefs  and  abfurd  mansigc* 
mentof  the  Negroe  midwives. 

Thus  we  find  here  are  various  caufes  which  f)revent  the  multi- 
plication of  Negroes  on  the  plantations ;  not  biit  that  unfeafonable 
work  may  fometimes  be  added  to  the  lift: ;  yet,  in  general,  as  it 
is  happy  for  thefc  people,  that  the  planter's  interefl:  concurs  with 
the  obligations  of  humanity  in  moft  cafes  that  relate  to  the  care  of 
them;  fo  it  is  unnecdl'ary  to  fay,  that  in  the  time  of  geftation, 
they  are  treated  with  more  than  common  indulgence,  to  prevent 
aiiy  fuch  accidents. 

The  knowledge  of  the  caufe  of  any  difeafe  condu^s  us  to  the  me* 
tliod  of  cure.  To  augment  our  Negroes  therefore  by  procreation, 
we  muft  endeavour  to  remedy  thofe  evils  which  impede  or  fruftrate 
its  natural.  cfFed.     And,  to  conclude,  if  the  wafte  of  thefe  men 

fliould 


BOOjK.;   m.     CHAP.    m.  437 

(h^uld  ,becoine  Ipfs,  the  price  of  them  .  would  fall ;  and  the.  fame 
annual  denjan^  might  be  kept  up,  by  extending  our  plantations, 
which  is  nqw  produced  by  the  mortality  of  thefe  people ;  eftates 
would  be  gradually  well-ftockcd,  and  rendered  more  flourifliing ; 
and  the  circuraftahces  of  the  planters  totally  changed  for  the  better. 
The  purchafe  of  new  Negroes.i^  the  moft  chargeable  .article  at- 
tending thefe  eftates,  and'  the  true  fource  of  the  diftrefles  undec 
which  their  owners  fufFer;  for  they  iavolve  themfelves  fo  deeply  in 
debt^  to .  make,  thefe  iuconfidecate  purchafes,  and  lofe  fo  ipaany  by 
difeafe>  or  other. means,  in  -the  feafoning,  tliat  they  become  unable 
to  make.gpod  their  engagements,  are  plunged  iii  law-fuits  and  anx- 
iety ;  while,  for'  wani;  of  fome  prudent  regulations  in  the  right 
hulbanding  of  theix  flock*  and  pcamoting  its  increafc  by  natural 
means,  they  entail  upon  themfelves  a  neceffity  of  drawing  perpe^ 
tual  recruits  of  unfeafoiied  Africans,  the  cxpence  of  which  forms 
only  a  new  addition  to  their  debts  and  difficulties. 
.  l.will  npf  deny  that  .thofe. Negroes  breed,  the  beft,  whofe  Uhour 
is,lcaft,  or  eafieft.  Thus  the  doraeftic  Negroes  have  more,  children, 
in  proportion,  than  thole  on  penus ;  and  the  latter,^  than  thofe  who 
are  employed  on  fiigar-plantations.  '  If  the  number  of  hogflxeads, 
annually  made  from  any  eftate,  exceeds,  or  even  equals,  the  whole 
aggregate  of  Negroes  employed  upon  it,  but  few  children  will  be 
brought  up  on  fuch  eftate,  whatever  number  may  be  born  ;  ..for  the 
mothers  will  not  have  Sufficient  time  to  take,  due  care  of  them ; 
and*  if  they  are  put  under  charge  of  fome  elderly  woman,  or  nurle, 
as  the  cuftom  is  in  many  places,  it  cannot  be  fuppofed  that  they 
ineet  with  the  fame  tendernefs  as  might  be  cxpe£ked  from  their 
parent*  But,  where  the  proportipn  of  the  annual  produce  is  about 
balf  a  hogftiead  for  every  Negroe,  t^ere  they  will,  in  all  likelihood, 
increafe  very  rapidly  j  and  not .  much  lefs  fo,  where  the  ratio  is  of 
I  wo  hoglheads  to  every  three  Negroes,  which  I  take  to  be  a  good 
me/he  proportion  ;  agreeably  to  which,  an  eftate,  making,  commu^ 
nibusannis,  two  hundred  hogfh^ads,  ought  to  mufter  oh  its  lift,  old 
a^id  yomig,  three  hundred  Negroes ;,  and,  if  it  jjiakes  three  hundred 
liogftieads,.  fouir  hundred  andtfifty  fuch  Negro.es:  and  fo  on.  '  Ajc^ 
eftate,  Jo  haiKled,  may  not  only,  cateris  patibus^  fave  the  expence  o^ 
buying  recruifc,    but  may  iSvqry  year  afford  Ibme  addition  tp  the 

i  firft 


438  Jamaica; 

firft  number,  of  which  I  have  known  uiconteftable  examples  in  Ja- 
rnaica;  and  although  the  nature  of  the  foil  here  and  there  may 
caufe  fome  difference  in  refpe6t  to  hard  or  eafy  labour,  yet  it  will 
itill  hold  for  a  good  general  rule.  There  are  very  few  plantations, 
whofe  foil  is  uniform  throughout ;  and,  where  the  foil  is  mofl:  ftiff 
and  laborious,  perhaps  the  yielding  in  fugaf  is  equal  on  the  whole ; 
which  works  no  objeftion  to  the  rule..  For  example  :  if  we  fup- 
pofe  a  North  fide  eftate  of  very  ftiff  land,  and  compare  it  with  one 
on  the  South  fide,  whofe  foil  is  of  a  free  texture,  and  that  each  of 
them  yields,  upon  average,  one  hogfhead  per  acre  round  ;  the  South 
fide  eflate  contains  three  hundred  acres  in  canes,  yields  three  hun- 
dred hogfheads,  muflers  four  hundred  and  fifty  Negroes ;  and  the 
North  fide  eftate,  three  hundred  acres,  yields  three  hundred  hog- 
Iheads,  and  mufters  four  hundred  and  fifty  Negroes.  Although  the 
North  fide  land  is  far  more  laborious,  yet  the  annual  plant  being 
far  lefs,  on  account  of  the  rattoon  canes,  which  ftand  feveral 
cuttings,  the  ;w{/«^  proportion  of  labour  upon  both,  for  a  given 
number  of  years,  may  be  found  very  even ;  the  South  fide  eftate 
being  obliged,  perhaps  every  year,  to  hole  and  plant  double  the 
quantity  of  ground. 

The  proportion,  according  to  the  before-mentioned  rule,  is  one 
hundred  and  fifty  Negroes  to  one  hundred  hogfheads.  An  efti- 
mate  was  made,  not  long  fince,  on  this  fubjeft,  with  reference  to 
the  produce  of  each  diftinft  parifh.  I  know  tiot  how  far  it  may 
be  depended  on  in  regard  to  exaftnefs ;  but,  if  it  comes  any  thing 
near  the  truth,  it  proves  that  fome  have  more,  but  very  few  lefs, 
than  the  rale  propofed.  For  better  comprehending  the  table,  I 
(hall  clafs  the  different  pariflies  according  to  the  general  condition 
of  their  foils.  The  firft  clafs  contains  thofe  whofe  foil  is,  compa- 
ratively, the  moft  ftifF  and  heavy ;  the  fecond,  fuch  as  have  the 
lighteft ;  the  third,  thofe  whofe  foil  may  be  efteemed  between 
both. 

Firft  Clafs.  Negroes  to  i  oo  Hhds* 

St.  Mary,  150 

St.  John,                 —  168 

Portland,                   ■  i%% 

St.  George,  >■ -     'i^ 


^par 

0 

exceeds  by 

18 

ditto 

3* 

ditto 

8 

Weftmorelaud, 

(BOOK  nr.    CHAP.    m.  4^9 

Firft  Ckfs.  Negrpes  to  loo  Hhds. 

Weftmoreland,       — -^  ,  »4»  lef»  9 

Hanover,,  142  ditto  8 

Second  Clafs. 
St.  Catharine,  — —  171  exceeds  21 

St.  Dorotby>  r         .  200  ditto  50 

Br.  Thomas  in  the  Vale,  •  180         -        ditto  39 

Vere,-  .^        .-     '.   ^ .         138  lefs  12 

St.  Anne,  2co  exceeds  50 

St»  Andrew,  162  ditto  12 

Port  Royal,  — ^     -  250  ditto  100 

St.  David*  — *— .  .  .    172  ditto  22 

St,  Eliaaheth,      .    ■  f .  ^     :  204  ditto  54 

'  Third  Clafs. 

Clarendon, *>       ■  .1^7  Icfs  23 

St.  Thomas  iu  the  E^fti  .120  .ditto  30 

Stf  James, .132  ditto  1 8 

Thws^  of  the  whple  number;  only,  fix  appear  deficient*  I  muft 
pwp,  thaj  fuch  general  caloulations  are,  ;><*, entirely  to  be  relied  on 5 
becaufe,  'in  any  individual  parilh,  upon  a  furvey.of  the  eftatep 
comprehended  in.it,  fome.  will  appear  to  have  more  than  their 
complement,  and  others  to  fall  very  Abort  of  it.  Miich  likewii^ 
depends  on  favourable  or  unfavourable  feafons,  good  or  bad  ma- 
nagement. In  regard  to.  births,  they  are^  probably  as  many  as  cm 
be  expected,  under  the  obftacle?.- which  I  have  before  enumerated; 
and,  when  I  fay  that  any  eftate,  ha.ving  the  juft  proportion  of 
hands  to  the  average'  quantity  of  its  produce,  may  require  no  pur- 
chafed  recruits,  I  muft  be  underftood  with  an  exception  to  fome  or 
Other  of  tHofe  obftacles ;  for,  if  its  women  are  not  numerous  enough, 
pr  if  they  are  rendered  uqprolific  by  difeafe  or  their;  Own  bad  prac- 
tices, or  their  children  precluded  from  reaching  to  maturity,  no  f^ch 
population  can  of  courfe  enfue.  It  is  worth  every  planter's  attention, 
to  encourage  the  mothers,  by  little,  helps,  to  take  good  care  of 
their  children.  Some  ma,rk  of  diftinftion,  or  a  reward,  fhould 
pi  ways  be  allowed  to  thpfe  vvho  have  (hewn  the  moft  affiduity  m 
refpedl  to  their .  cleanlinefs  and  health.  A  premium  might  be 
i^fligned  for  every  new-born  child ;  and  a  fmall  ftijnuity  tp.be  con* 

tinned 


tinued  until  its  attiiinA^'^he^?dtrtttt-6t  fifth  year;     Tliete^  politic 
gratuities  wtJuld   not  only*eWlear   the  o^fierto  the  parents,  but 
prove    a  conftant  incitement  \o  their  care,  and  at  the   fame  time 
enable  them  to  provide  better,  the  feveral  little  iteceffaiies  wanted 
tdkeep  their  ?nfants  cleanly  and  decent.    Tf  iTiefe  meafOres  (hoqld 
operate,  as  probably  they  vstould,  to  the  increafe  of  thfeir  families^ 
the  expence  attending  themSvouldbe  amply  repaid. ' 
'    I  have  obferved,  in  feveral  accounts  of  our'Weft-India  colonies, 
comparifons  drawn   between  the  condition  of  "the  Haves 'in   them 
and  in  the  French  iflands,'  very  much  to*  the  difadvatitage  of  the 
former.     Ic  is  faid,  that  the  Negroes  in  the'^rench  colonies  are  not 
left  fo  much  to  the   planter's   difcretion  ;''lhat  their   nAafters  iare 
Obliged  to  iiave  them  inftrufted  in  the  principles  of  the  Chnftfah 
religion;  that  there  are  methods  taken,  at  once  to  protfeft  them ^ 
from  the  cruelty  of  their  maftfers,  and  prefefve  The  colony  froin  any 
ill  effefts  that  might  arife  from  treating  them  with  a  lenity  not 
confiftent  with  their  condition  ;  that  the  Code  Noir,  or  fet  of  l^gu- 
lations,  purpofely  framed  for  the  Negroes,  and  eftab'liflted  by  the 
Toyal  cdi£t,  as  well  as  other  ordinances  relative  to  tfnele  poor  crea- 
tures, (hew  a  very  jud  and  fenfible  mixture  of  humanity  ajid  ftea* 
dinefs  ;  and  that  thefe  regulations  have  given  the  French,  in  their 
colonies,  a  reputation  for  good  difcipline  and  clemency  j  which  de- 
grades the  Englifli   planters,    when   theii*  laws  are  brought  into 
comparifon.      The   Fench  are  thus  held  out  as  a  partem  well  de* 
ferving  the  imitation  of  the  Britifh  owners,  and  very  properly,  if 
all  thefe  encomiums  are  founded- in  truth.     But  there  is  fome  rea- 
fon  to  doubt  their  good  effeds ;  and  to  believe,   that,    however 
they  may  glow  with  humanity  and  maxims  of  prudence,  they  are 
not  efficacioufly  obeyed.     Monf.  Boflu,  a  French  officer,  who  was 
at  Hifpaniola  in  i75i»  gives  fome  right  to  drawfuch  a  conclufion; 
and  I  muft  fay,  that  his  teftimony  is  of  the  greater  weight,  as  the 
French  are  well  known  to  be  very  cautious  of  revealing  whatever 
can  tend  to  diftionour  their  countrymen.     He  condemns  the  brutal 
avidity  of  fome  French  planters;  *«  who,'*  he  tells  us,  *«  force  their 
*«  wretched  flaves  to  fuch  hard  labour,  that  they  refufe  to  marry,  in 
•<  order  to  avoid  generating  a  race  of  beings  to  be  enflaved  to  fuch 
^'  matters,  who  treat  them,  when  old  and  ihfinti,  worfethan  thei]!^ 
'  «*  dogs 


BOOK  IIL     CHA,P.  IlL  441 

^<  dogs  and  borfef*  I  have  fecp^  adds  he,  a  planter,  whofe  name 
^<  was  Cbaperoftf  who  forced  one  of  his  Negroes  to  go  into  a  heated 
**  oven,  where  the  poor  wretch  expired ;  and  his  jaws  being  (hri* 
^'  veled  up,  the  barbarous  owner  faid,  'f  I  believe  the  fellow 
<*  laughs/*  and  took  a  poker  to  ftir  him  up.  Since  this  event,  he 
**  became  the  fcarecrow  among  all  the  flaves,  who,  when  they  do 
*^  amifs,  are  threatened  by  their  mafters  to  be  fent  to  Chaperon." 
What  are  we  to  think  of  the  edicts  and  ordinances  of  any  country, 
where  fo  horrid  a  monfter  is  fuSfered  to  live  with  impunity ;  and 
of  how  little  efficacy  is  the  celebrated  Code  Noir^  in  giving  pro* 
tedion  to  the  French  Negroes  ?  Such  adls  of  wanton,  diabolical 
cruelty,  are  a  (landing  reproach  to  the  laws  of  any  country ;  the 
fad:  might  have  Teemed  incredible,  had  it  been  related  by  any  other 
than  a  Frenchman ;  and,  I  think,  we  are  fairly  warranted  to  judge 
from  it,  that  what  we  have  been  told  of  their  regulations  is  not 
^tirdy  true ;  for  how  does  it  appear  that  their  Negroes  are  prp* 
teded  from  the  cruelty  of  their  mafters,  whilft  fuch  atrocious  ex- 
amples of  the  contrary  are  to  be  feen  in  their  colonies  ?  This 
queftion  is  impartially  deduced,  and  proves,  that  fp  far  as  refpeds 
the  perfonal  well-being  of  the  Negroes,  thefe  boafted  laws  are  fpe« 
cious  perhaps  in  their  complexion,  but  ineffedual  and  feeble  in  their 
real  operation^  It  is  not  enough  to  make  laws ;  it  is  alfo  neceflary 
to  provide  for  their  execution. . 

However,  we  are  fo  fond  of  depreciating , our  own  colonies,  that 
we  paint  our  planters  in  the  moft  bloody  colours,  and  reprefent 
their  flaves  as  the  moft  ill-treated  and  miferable  of  mankind.  It  is 
no  wonder  therefore  that  Jamaica  comes  in  for  a  large  (hare  of 
abufe;  and  even  our  common  news -papers  are  made  the  vehicles 
of  it.  I  read  in  one  of  them  not  long  ftnce,  ^<  that  the  cruel  ufage 
^*  inflided  on  Negro  flaves  in  Jamaica  by  their  mafters,  is  the 
'<  realbn  why  infurredions  there  are  more  frequent  than  in  the 
*^  French  or  other  fugar-iflands.'*  The  firft  enquiry  to  be  made 
in  anfwer  to  fo  invidious  a  charge  is,  whether  the  fadt  here  aiTerted 
be  really  true  ?  and,  2dly,  whether  this  frequency  may  not  have 
been  owing  to  fome  other  caufe  ? 

Vol.  II.  L  1  1 


^1.42  JAMAICA. 

Within  ii  few  years  paft,  we  have  heard  olF  thein  at  Hifpaniola^ 
'it  Cuba,  at  th^  Brafils^  at  ^Suriiutitt,  and  Berbicey  and  at  the  Britifli 
iflarids  of  Tobago;  Dominica,  Mbntferrat,  and  St.  Vincent.    If  they 

*****  '  riBi 

ihbuld  happen  ofterier  at  Jamaica  than  in  the  fmaller  iflands»  it 
wbUld  not  be  at  all  furprizing,  fince  it  has  generally  contained  more 
[Negroes  than  aril  the  Windward  Britifh  ifles  put  together;  and  its 
importatibnS  in  fonie  years  have  been  very  great. 
For  InllaAce,  in  die  year  1764,  the  importation  was,  10,223. 

'Arid*frOm  January  1765  to  July  1766,  one  year  and  an  half,  16,760. 
15o  large  a  mahitude  as  27,000  introduced  in  the  fpace  of  two  years 
and  kn  half,  furnifhes  a  very  fufficient  rdifon,  if  there  was  no  other^. 
to  account  for  mutinies  and  plots,  efpeciatly  as  no  fmrall  number  x}f 
them  had  been  warriors  in  Africa  or  criminals ;  and  all  of  them  as 
favage^ind  uncivilized  as  the  beafts  of  prey  that  roam  through  the 
African  forefts. 

A  gefieral  accufation  can  only  deferve  a  general  reply.    If  the 
author  of  it  had  particularized  any  certain  fpecies   of   barbarity 
tolerated  by  law  or  cuftom,  or  in  conftant  ufe  at  Jamaica,  it  woald 
be  inciimbeht  on  its  advocates,^  either  to  difprove,^  or  admit,  the- 
cxiftence  of  fuch  particular  fadls.      But  a  charge,  which  involves 
a  whole  country,  ought  to  be  well  fotinded,  and  fiipported  by  evi- 
dence taken  frdtn*  irotorious  pradice.   Or  the  fyilem  of  laws  by 
which  that  country  is  regulated.    If  k' foreigner,  being  told  of  & 
mother  in  lEngland,  fo  void  of  naturdl  fueling,  as  to  fhttt  tip  jher 
own  children  ih  a  durigion,  ftarve  ahd  crufelly  beat  thetti ;  bf  others^ 
who  ftrartgle  their  infants,  cut  their  throats,  or  confume  them  in 
ioveris ;  of  maftiirs  and  miftrettes  fo  brutil  as  to  whip  their  apprcn^- 
tices  to  death;    of  daughters  j^oiforiihg  their  fathers;  nieces  thdir 
uncles;  Wives  butchering  their huffianrds,  and  hu(barids  tbeir  wives ^ 
with  many  other  examples  bf  barbarity,  which  the  public  chrbnl- 
cles   liave    recorded  from    time  to  time;    fliould  V^e   not   thiilk 
the  foreigner  extremely  void  of  impartiality  and  good  fenfc,  if  fbr 
thfs  reafon  he  Was  to  charge  all  the  people  of  England  with'being  a 
moft  'bloody,  inhuman  and  unfeeling  race  ?    Yet  there  is  full  as 
much  caufe  for  it  in  this  cafe,  as  in  the  forhibr.     The  truth  is^ 
that  ever  fince  the  introduftiota  'of  Africans  into  the  Weft-Indies, 

infurredtions 


BQOltUf.   iJIt'AP,  1(1.  ^ 

iofotisAioxis  have  pccorred  io  «yei:]r  9^  Qfi  the  cplp^^  ^(ti^  9ft 
well  aa  foreign,  at  timfis.  But  the  cAivraiQiator  Im  nifp  i^ee/i  ^of^ 
erroneous  ia  bringing  the  charge,  than  in  thft  reafon^  dipgnfs4  t^ 
fbpport  it ;  becauie  a  faulty  indulgence  has  bein  One  leading  canA 
of  the  difturbances  that  have  occurred  in  Jamaica;  which,  ml  w^ 
dently  proved  by  vhat  k  Cet  forth  in  many  of  the  kws  paiSbd  ifi 
confequence  of  them,  re4:i:i<3ing  feveral  fports,  and  prohibiting  cer<» 
tain  feftive  afTembliea,  which  the  Negroes  had  fredy  enjoyed  ht^ 
fore,  but  were  made  fabfendent  to  the  forming  anti  carrying  on 
of  dangerous  confpiracies.  They  were  foroierly  aUowed  to  alibmhlie 
svith  drums  and  mufical  inftruments  ;  to  dance,  drinks  and  be 
merry.  This  was  permitted,  becaufe  it  was  thought  an  inoffeniive 
mode  of  recreation  for  them.  But  when  theie  games  were  after- 
wards  converted  into  plots,  they  were  with  great  juftice  fupprefled^ 
as  riotous  aflemblies  of  people  are  iii  Engliand,  and-  for  the  lik^ 
ireafon ;  that,  being  perverted  from  their  origin^  intention  to  wicked 
and  unlawful  ends,  they  became  inconfiftent  with  the  peace  and 
iafety  of  the  community.  Such  prohibitions  (of  which  there  arc 
feveral)  prove  undeniably,  the  great  latitude  of  indulgence,  that  has 
been  given  to  the  Negroes  of  this  colony;  and  fliew  the  propriety, 
and  indeed  neceflity,  there  has  been  of  laying  them  under'  reftric- 
tions,  when  that  liberty  was  abufed.  The  innocent,  it  is  true,  were 
unavoidably  involved  with  the  guilty  in  thefe  reftraints;  but  they 
^have  dill  fufficient  paftimes  and  amufements  to  divert  them,  with* 
out  offending  againd  the  public  welfare.  In  every. country  under 
the  fun  the  like  commotions  muft  happen,  where  licentioufheis 
among  the  moft  ignorant  and  profligate  of  the  people  is  nbt  rcprefled 
by  the  discipline  of  laws,  and  the  energy  of  good  government ;  and 
where  drunkenneis  and  luft,  thofe  great  incentives  to  violence  among 
this  order  of  men,  are  fuffered,  as  in  Jamaica,  to  reign  without 
controul. 

The  heedlefs  praiftice  formerly  of  keeping  large  ftands  of  fire- 
arms and  cutlafies  upon  the  inland  plantations,  having  only  three  or 
four  white  men  upon  them,  became  a  ftrong  temptation  to  any 
difafFeded  or  enterpcizing  Africans.  It  might  well  be  expedfced, 
that  throwing  fuch  magazines  and  ftores  of  ammunition  in  their 
way,  was  a  diredt  invitation  to  them  to  rebel.     The  turning  fb 

L  1 1  2  many 


444  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

manf  Ibdcfenfible  houfes  into  arfenals  for  arming  mutinous  favages, 
was  doubtlefs  the  very  height  of  imprudence,  tending  not  only  to 
generate  projects  of  hoftility^  but  to  afford  the  means  of  conducing 
them  with  probable  hope  of  fuccefs.  Add  to  this,  that  many  (hop«* 
keepers,  from  a  ftrange  fpirit  of  avarice^  have  been  known  to  fell 
gunpowder  privately  to  fuch  cotafpirator$,  although  they  muft  have 
forefeen  the  ufe  to  which  it  might  be  applied  i  and,  to  gain  a  few 
fliillings,  even  hazarded  their  own  deftruAion ;  incredible  as  this 
may  feem,  yet  it  is  certain  that  fuch  a  practice  has  been  carried  oii^ 
as  two  laws  were  pafied,  one  in  1730,  the  other  in  17449  to  put  a 
ftop  to  it. 

Another  caufe  of  confpiracy  may  have  been,  a  remote  hope  of 
ibme  Negroes,  who,  having  heard  of  the  freedom  granted  to  the 
Marons  after  their  obftinate  refiftance  of  feveral  years,  expeded^ 
perhaps,  that  by  a  courfe  of  fuccefsful  oppofition  they  might  obtain 
the  like  terms  in  the  end»  and  a  di^od  fettlement  in  fbme  quarter 
of  the  ifland. 

The  vulgar  opinion  in  England  confounds  all  the  Blacks  in  one 
clafs^  and  fuppofes  them  equally  prompt ,for  rebellion;  an  opinion 
,that  is  groflly  erroneous.  The  Negroes,  who  have  been  chief  adtors 
.iin  the  feditionsand  mutinies,which  at  different  ti  mes  have  broke  oat 
here,,  were  the  imported  Africans  ^  and,  confidering  the  numbers  of 
them  who  were  baniihed  their  country  for  atrocious  mifiJceds,  and 
familiacized:  to  blood,  maffacre,  and  the  mod  deteftable  vices,  we 
ihould  not  be  aftoni(hed  at  the  impatient  fpirit  of  fuch  an  abandoned 
herd,  upon  being  introduced  to  a  life  of  labour  and  regularity. 
The  numbers  imported  would  indeed  be  formidable,  if  they 
continued  in  a  body ;  but  they  are  foon  difperfed  among  a  variety 
of  different  eftates  many  miles  afunder,  by  which  means  they  re- 
main a  long  time,  ignorant  of  each  other's  place  of  (ettlement.. 
They  often  find  themfelves  mixed  with  many  ftrangers,  differing 
firom  them  in  language;  and  againft  others  they  hold  a  rooted  an- 
tipathy. But  they  are  chiefly  awed  into  fubjedlion,  by  the  fuperior 
muUitude  of  Creole  Blacks,  with  whom  they  dare  not  confederate^ 
nor  folicit  their  concurrence  in.  any  plan  of  oppofition,  to.  the  white 

ifibfttvtaotSv 

The 


B  O  O  K  IIT.     CHAP.  III.  445 

The  ringleaders  of  confpiracy  have  been  the  native  Africanst, 
and  of  thcle  the  Coromantins  (land  the  foremofL  The  Jamaica 
planters  are  fond  of  purchafing  the  Negroes  who  pafs  under  this  name» 
in  preference  to  thofe  of  the  other  provinces;  but  the  French,  and 
fome  other  Weft-India  colonies,  will  not  knowingly  admit  them  y 
being  fenfible  of  their  dangerous  tempers  and  unfitnefs  for  the 
peaceable  walk  of  hufbandry. 

As  the  infurre£lions  which  have  happened  in  our  ifland  have  been 
'  mifreprefented,  I  ihall  give  a  fummary  account  of  them,  which 
may  ferve  to  illuftrate  what  has  been  advanced,  and  explain  the 
motives  of  them  not  to  have  been  founded  in  the  manner  they  have 
been  generally  fuppoied,  by  persons  ill  informed,  or  but  little  ac- 
quainted with  Jamaica. 

The  Maron  or  wild  Negroes,  of  whom  I  have  given  the  hiftory, 
were  improperly  called  rebellious.  The  compilers  of  the  Modern 
XJniverfal  Hijlory^  in  their  account  of  the  iiland,  have  fallen  into  this 
miftake^  and,  giving  a  detail  of  the  infurreAion  that  happened  in 
1761,  they  fpeak  of  it  as  •*  a  revolt  of  thofe  Negroes,  who,  fince  the 
"  late  treaty  with  them  in  Mr.  Trelawny's  government,  not  having 
*•  been  fufficiently  watched^  had  become  fo  numerous  and  ftrong,  that 
**  they  now  meditated  no  lefs^  than  the  extirpation  of  all.  the  white 
•*  men  in  the  ifland.** 

It  is  not  an  eafy  matter  to  difcover  what  is  meant  by  "  their  be^ 
"  coming  too  numerous  and  ftrong,  for  want  of  being  watched  ^^*^ 
nor  how  the  watching  of  them  could  either  thin  their  numbersr^ 
or  weaken  them :  however,  the  whole  is  erroneous^,  and  the  very 
reverfe  is  the  truth;  for  thefe  Negroes  have,,  as^far  as  we  have  any 
certain  information^  always  adhered,  to  the  treaty,  and  were  ther 
principal  inftruments  employed  in  fupprefling  that  very  infurre<5tion. 
The  Jamaica  laws  have  from  the  beginning  termed  them,  rebel/iousi. 
but  they  did  not  deferve  the  appellation,  becaufe  they  were  the  free 
defendants  from  the  aboriginal  Spanifli  Negroes,,  who  had.  never 
come  under  any  fubmiffion  or  allegiance  to  the  Britift)  government. 
The  rebellions  (properly  fpeaking)  are  confined  to  thofe  Negroe- 
'fl'aves,  who  have  at  different  periods  renounced,  obedience  to  their - 
British  mafters,  and  fought  to  refcue  tbemfelves  from  a  life  of^ 
labour  by  force  of  arms;  and  all  thefe  difturbances  are  extremely 
lonarkablc,.  in. that  they  have  been  planned  and  conduced  bythe- 

^  Goromanttai 


.44«  JAMAICA. 

Coromantm  VJcgTocs,  who  are  diftinguifhed  from  their  brcthrth  Tjy 
their  avcrfion  to  huftandry,  and  the  martial  ferocity  of'  their  difpo- 
fit  ion.     The  firft  rebeliion  of  importance,  on  record,  happened  in 
the   year.  1690,    when   between  three    and   four  hundred  flave^^ 
Belonging  to  Mr.  Sutton's  plantation  in  Clarendon,  forced  their  way 
into  the  dwelling-houfe,  killed  the  white  man  eneru (led  with  the 
care  of  it,'  and  feized  upon  a  large  (lore  of  fire-arms,   powder  an4 
ball,  and  fourfmall  field-pieces,  with  fome  provifions  :  at  this  lime^ 
the  interior  fettlements,  of  which  this  was  one,  fituated  near  the 
woods,  were  furniQied  in  this  manner  with  implements  of  defence 
to  withftand  the  aflaults  of  the  Marons,  who  frequently  falHed  out 
in  the  night  to  attack  them.     The  rebels,  after  this  exploit,  pro- 
ceeded to  the  next  plantation,  and  murdered  the  over&er,  but  were 
difappointcd  of  being  joined  by  the   flaves  belonging  to  it,  who  aU 
betook  themfelvcs  to  the  woods ;  upon  this  they  returned  to  Mr^ 
Sutton's  houfc,  where  they  put  every  thing  into  a  pofture  of  de- 
fence.    By  this  time  the  white  inhabitants  of  the  neighbourhood^ 
having   taken   the   alarm,    collefted    about   fifty  horfe   and   foot, 
marched  to  beat  up  their  quarters ;    and,  being  joined  by  the  way 
with  frefli  fuccours,  they  increafed  to  a  formidable  body.     On  the 
next  day  the  militia  began  their  attack,   upon  which  the  rebek 
ivithdrcwto  the  cane  pieces,   and  fet  fire  to  them,  in  order  to 
ucover  their  retreat ;  but  a  detaghment  of  the  militia  having  fetched 
a  little  compafs,  found  means  to  aiTault  them  in  flank,  whilft  the 
reft  advanced  upon  them  in  front;  unable  to  withftand  this  double 
lire,  the  rebels  immediately  fled,  but  were  fo  brilkly  purfued,  that 
many  were  killed,   and  two  hundred  of  thenj  threw  down  their 
arms,  and  begged  for  mercy ;  the  refl:  were  afterwards  either  flain^ 
or  taken  prifoners;   and  the  ringleaders  of  the  confpiracy  hanged. 
I  find  no  rebellion  of  any  confequence  for  feveral  year^  fubfequcnt 
to  this;   one  reafon  for  which  ceflTation  probably   v^as^   that  the 
JMarons  were  endeavouring,  by  every  means  in  their  power,  to  bring 
over  the  flaves  in  different  parts  of  the  ifland  to  their  caufe;  fuch 
therefore  as  were  difcontented  with  their  condition,  deferted  to  the 
Marons ;   but,  feveral  who  took  this  ftep,  performed  fome  previous 
.ad  of  outrage,  by  way  of  recommending  themfelves  to  their  new 
iriends ;  none  was  more  horrid  than  what  was  committed  on  Mr. 


BOOK  III.     CHAP,  III.  447 

B"^  of  St.  Anne ;  a  gentleman  diftingui(hed  for  his  humanity  to« 
wards  his  (laves^  and  in  particular  to  one  of  his  domeftics,  on  whom 
he  had  beftowed  many  extraordinary  marks  of  kindnefs.  Yet  this 
ungrateful  villain,  at  the  head  of  a  gang  who  were  equally  dif- 
pofed  to  revolt,  aiTaolted  his  mafter  whilil  he  was  in  bed;  Mr.  B— - 
defended  himfelf  for  ibme  time  with  his  broad  fword,  but  being 
4»verDowered  by  numbers,  and  difabled  by  wounds>  he  fell  at  jength 
a  victim  to  their  cruelty ^  they  cutoff  his  heads  fawed  his  ikuU 
afinnder,  and  made  ufe  of  it  as  a  punch- bowl;  and,  after  doing  as. 
4&iich  .^rther  Cnifchief  a$  they  were  able^  they  r etreaited  into  the 
woods. 

After  the  pacification  made  with  governor  Trelawney,   no  in- 
ilirred/ion   of  moment  occurred  for  many  years.      Spme   trifling, 
difturbances  happened,   and  fome  plots  were  detefted,    but  they 
came  to  nothing;  and. indeed ihc  feeds  of  rebellion  were  in  agreat< 
'meaiure  rendered  abortive,   hy  the  adti^ity  of  <he  Maroni,   who* 
fcoured  the  wdods».  and  apprehended  all  flraggling  and  vagabond 
rflaves,  that  from  time  to  time  defer  ted  from  their  owners..    But  in 
the  year  1760,   a  confpiracy  was  proje£ied»   and  conduced  with 
Xuch   profound   fecrefy,    that    almbft  all    the   Coromaotin  flaves- 
throughout   the  iBand  were   privy  to   it,    without  any  fufpicion^ 
from  the  Whites.     Theparifli  of  St.  Mary  was  fixed  upon^  as  the 
inoft  proper  theatre  for  opening  their  tragedy*.    It  abounded  with^ 
their  countrymen,  was  but  thinly  peopled  with  Whites^  eontain^I 
^extenfive  deep  woods^  and  plenty  of  provifions :     fb  thdt  as  the 
engaging  any  confiderable  number  heartily  in  the  fcherae,  would; 
depend  chiefly  on  tbe;fuocefs  of  their  firft  operations,  they  were 
likely  to  meet  with  a  fainter  refiftance  in  this  parifh  than  in  mo&: 
others;   and  fhould  the  iflqe  of  the  conflidl;  prove  unfavourable  to> 
them,  they  might  retreat  with  fccurityflrtto  the  woods,  and  there 
continue  well  fupplied  with  provifions,  until  their  party  flwuld  bc: 
ftrengthened  with  fufficient  reinforcements,  to  enable  their  profe- 
rution  of  the  grand  enterprise,  whofe  obje<a  was  no  other;  than  the 
entire  Extirpation  of  the  white  inhabitants;   the  enllaving  of  allt 
fuch  Negroes  as  might  rcfufe  to  join  them;  and  the  partition  of. 
the  ifland  into  fmall  principalities  in  the  African  mode  ;    to  be  ' 
difl:ributed  among  their  leaders -and  bead  men.     A  principal  in« 

ducement: 


44«  JAMAICA. 

^ucement  to  the  formation  of  this  fcheme  of  conqiiefl  was,  the 
happy  circumftance  of  the  Marons;  who,  they  obferved,  had  ac* 
quired  very  comfortable  fettlements,  and  a  life  of  freedom  and  eafe, 
by  dint  cf  their  prowefs.  On  the  night  preceding  Eafter-Monday, 
•about  fifty  of  them  marched  to  Port  Maria,  where  they  murdered 
the  (lorekeeper  of  the  fort  (at  that  time  unprovided  with  a  gar- 
rifon),  broke  open  the  magazine,  and  feized  four  barrels  of  powder, 
a  few  mulquet-balls,  and  about  forty  fire-arms.  Proceeding  from 
thence  to  the  bay,  which  lies  under  the  fort,  they  met  with  fome 
^(hing-nets,  from  which  they  cut  off  all  the  leaden  finkers,  made 
of  bullets  drilled.  Thefc  Negroes  were  moftly  collected  from 
Trinity  plantation,  belonging  to  Mr*  fiayley ;  Whitehall,  and 
Frontier,  belonging  to  Mr.  Ballard  Beckford^  and  Hey  wood  Hall, 
the  property  of  Mr.  Hey  wood.  Mr.  Bayley  had  been  called  up  by 
one  of  his  domeftics,  and,  mounting  his  horfe,  rode  towards  the 
bay,  in  hopes  that,  by  expoftulating  calmly  with  the  rebels,  he 
-might  perfuade  them  to  difperfe  and  return  to  their  duty ;  but  their 
plan  was  too  deeply  laid,  and  they  had  conceived  too  high  an 
•opinion  of  it,  to  recede. 

Upon  his  nearer  approach^  he  perceived  they  were  determined 
'to  a£t  ofiTenfively,  and  therefore  galloped  back  with  great  expedition ; 
a  few  random-fhots  were  difcharged  after  him,  which  he  fortu- 
^nately  efcaped,  and  rode  diredtly  to  the  neighbouring  eftates^ 
4ilarming  them  as  he  went,  and  appointing  a  place  of  rendezvous. 
In  this  he  performed  a  very  efiential  piece  of  fervice  to  the  white 
inhabitants,  who  before  were  entire  flrangers  to  the  infurredion, 
and  unprepared  againft  furprize ;  but  this  notice  gave  them  fome 
time  to  recoiled  themfelves,  and  to  confult  meafiires  for  fupprefilog 
"^the  infurgents.  In  the  mean  while,  the  latter  purfued  their  way  to 
Heywood-Hall,  where  they  fct  fire  to  the  works  and  cane-pieces, 
and  proceeded  to  Efher,  an  eftate  of  Mr.  William  Beckford,  mur- 
-thering  on  the  road  a  poor  white  man,  who  was  traveling  on  foot. 
At  £(her  they  were  joined  by  fourteen  or  fifteen  of  their  country- 
men. The  Whites  on  that  eftate  had  but  juft  time  to  (hut  them- 
ielves  up  in  the  dwelling-houfc,  which  they  barricadoed.  as  well  as 
sthey  could;  unhappily ^they  were  deftitute  of  ammunition,  and 
therefore  incapable  of  making  any  refiftance.   The  rebels,  who  knew 

their 


BOOK   III.     CHAR  III.  449 

their  fituation,  foon  forced  an  entrance,  murthered  the  overfeer  and 
snother  perfon,  and  mangled  the  doflor,  till  they  fuppofed  him  dead ; 
in  this  condition  they  drew  him  down  feveral  fleps  by  the  heels,  and 
threw  him  among  the  other  murthered  perfons:  his  limbs  ftill  appear- 
ing to  move,  one  of  the  rebels  exclaimed,  that  *'  he  had  as  many  lives 
as  apufs'C^  and  immediately  difcharged  four  or  five  flugs  through  his 
back,  fome  of  which  penetrated  the  bladder.  This  gentleman  was  fo 
dreadfully  wounded,  that  the  two  furgeons,  who  afterwards  attended 
him,  were  every  day  fatigued  with  the  multiplicity  of  bandages  and 
dreffings,  neceffary  to  be  applied  upon  almoft  all  parts  of  his  body; 
fo  that  his  recovery  was  next  to  miraculous. 

After  this  exploit,  they  ravifhed  a  Mulatto  woman,  who  had  been 
the  overfeer^s  kept  miftrefs ;  but  fpared  her  life,  at  the  requeft  of  fome 
of  the  Eiher  Negroes,  who  alledged,  in  her  favour,  that  flic  had  fre- 
quently favcd  them  from  a  whipping,  by  her  interceffion  with  theover- 
feer;  coniidering  the  hands  into  which  flie  had  fallen,  this  was  thought 
an  aft  of  very  extraordinary  clemency  ;  and,  in  faft,  not  owing  really 
to  any  merit  on  her  part,  as  the  overfcer  had  only  chofe  to  let  his  for- 
givenefs  appear  rather  to  colne  through  the  importunity  of  another^ 
than  from  the  lenity  of  his  own  difpofition.  The  do£bor,  notwith- 
Handing  his  woimds,  recovered  afterwards.  Yankee,  a  trufty  flave 
belonging  to  this  eflate,  behaved  on  the  occafion  with  (ignal  gallan^ 
try;  he  was  very  aftive  in  endeavouring  to  defend  the  houfe,  and 
affift  the  white  men ;  but,  finding  they  were  overpowered,  he  made  his 
efcape  to  the  next  ellate,  and  there,  with  another  faithful  Negroe,  con- 
certed meafures  for  giving  immediate  notice  to  all  the  plantations  in 
the  neighbourhood,  and  procuring  auxiliaries  for  the  white  inhabitants. 
The  rebels,  after  this  aftion,  turned  back  to  Heywood  Hall  and  Bal- 
,  lard's  Valley,  where  they  picked  up  fome  frefli  recruits,  fo  that  their 
whole  party,  including  women,  increafed  to  about  four  hundred.  The 
fatigues  of  the  opening  their  campaign  had  fo  exhaufted  their  fpirits  by 
this  time,  that  they  thought  proper  to  rcfrefli  themfeU^es  a  little  before 
they  renewed  their  bofiilities;  having  therefore  a  good  magazine  of 
hogs,  poultry,  rum,  and  other  plunder  of  the  like  kind,  they  chofe  out 
a  convenient  fpot,  furrounded  with  trees,  and  a  little  retired  from  the 
road,  where  they  fpread  their  provifion,  and  began  to  carouze.  The 
white  inhabitants^  alarmed  by  Mr.  Bayley,  had  aflembled  in  the  mean 

Vol.  IL  M  m  m  time 


450  JAMAICA. 

time  about  70  or  80  horfe,  and  had  now  a  fair  opportunity  of  routing 
the  whole  body;  they  advanced  towards  the  place  where  the  rebels 
were  enjoying  themfelves,  and  luckily  difcovered  them  by  their  noife 
and  riot,  or  they  might  have  fallen  into  an  ambufcade.  The  Coro- 
mantlns  did  not  exhibit  any  fpecimen  of  generalfhip  upon  this  occa-> 
fion;  on  the  appearance  of  the  troop,  they  kept  clofe  in  the  wood, 
from  whence  they  poured  an  irregular  fire,  which  did  no  execution. 
The  drilled  bullets,  taken  from  the  fifliing  nets,  defcribed  an  arch  in 
their  projedion,  and  flew  over  the  heads  of  the  militia.  After  keep- 
ing their  ranks  for  fome  time,  it  was  propofed  that  they  ihould  dif- 
niount,  and  pufli  into  the  wood;  but  on  examining  their  ammuni- 
tion, the  militia  found  their  whole  ftock,  if  equally  divided,  did  not 
amount  to  more  than  one  charge  each  man ;  they  therefore  held  it 
more  advifeable,  for  the  major  part  to  ftand  their  ground  on  the  re- 
ferve,  while  their  (ervants,  and  fome  others  well  armed,  advanced  into 
the  wood  clofe  to  the  rebels,  feveral  of  whom  they  killed;  a  Mulatto 
man  was  faid  to  have  (lain  three  with  his  own  hand,  and  a  brave 
North  Briton  about  the  fame  number.  The  rebels,  intimidated  with 
this  bold  attack,  retreated;  but  it  was  not  judged  proper  at  that  time 
to  purfue  them. 

During  all  thefe  tranfaftions,  two  Negroes,  belonging  to  Mr. 
Beckford,  having  taken  horfe  at  the  firft  alarm »  were  on  the  road  to 
Spanifli  Town,  and  traveled  with  fuch  expedition  through  very  bad 
ways,  that  they  brought  the  intelligence  to  lieut.  governor  S'ur  Henry 
Moore,  by  one  o'clock  the  fame  day,  who  immediately  difpatched  two 
parties  of  regulars,  and  two  troops  of  horfe  militia,  by  different  routs^ 
to  the  parifli ;  orders  at  the  fame  time  were  fent  to  the  Marons  of  ScotV 
Hall  Town,  to  advance  by  another  road  from  the  Eaftward,  and  a 
party  from  the  Leeward  Towns  were  direfted  to  enter  by  the  Weft» 
All  thefe  detachments  were  in  motion  as  early  as  poflible,  and  no 
meafures  could  have  been  more  eflfeftually  taken.  The  lieutenant 
governor  happily  pofleffed,  in  addition  to  great  abilities,  uncommon 
prefence  of  mind,  prudence,  and  bravery,  a  moft  confummate  know- 
ledge of  the  geography  of  the  ifland,  and  of  every  road  and  avenue  m 
its  feveral  diftridts.  By  this  means,  he  was  enabled  to  take  every  fit 
preca'ition,  and  form  the  mofl:  proper  difpofition  of  the  forces,  as  well 
for  reducing  the  infurgents,  as  protefting  the  eftates  in  thofc  parts, 

2.  where 


BOOK   m.    CHAR  III.  451 

where  the  flame  might  be  expeded  to  kindle  afrefli.     Thefe  detach- 
ments, by  forced  marches,  foon  made  their  appearance  in  St.  Mary, 
and  damped  at  once  all  the  ideas  of  conqiieft,  which  at  firft  bad  ele- 
vated the  rebels.     They  kept  in  the  woods,  rambling  from  place  to 
place,  feldom  continuing  many  hours  on  one  fpot;  and  when  they 
perceived  themfelves  clofe  befet  on  all  fides,  they  refolved  to  fell  their 
lives  as  dear  as  poffible.     The  Marons  of  Scot's-Hall  behaved  ex- 
tremely ill  at  this  junfture;  they  were  the  firft  party  that  came  to  the 
rendezvous ;  and,  under  pretence  that  fome  arrears  were  due  to  them, 
and  that  they  had  not  been  regularly  paid  their  head-money  allowed 
by  law,  for  every  run-away  taken  up,  they  refufed  to  proceed  againft 
the  i^ebels,  imlefs  a  colleftion  was  immediately  made  for  them ;  fe ve- 
ra! gentlemen  prefcnt  fubmiited  to  comply  with  this  extraordinary  de- 
mand, rather  than  delay  the  fervice;  after  which  they  marched,  and 
bad  one  engagement  with  the  rebels,  in  which  they  killed  a  few.     A 
party  of  the  74th  regiment  lay  quartered  at  a  houfe  by  the  fea  fide,  at 
a  fmall  diftance  from  the  woods;  in  the  night  the  rebels  were  fo  bold, 
that  they  crept  very  near  the  quarters,  and,  having  (hot  the  centinel 
dead,  retired  again  with  the  utmoft  agility  from  purfuit.     Not  long 
after  this  accident  the  regulars,  after  a  tedious  march  through  the 
woods,  which  the  fteepnefs  of  the  hills,  and  heat  of  the  weather,  qoxx^ 
fpired  to  render  extremely  fatiguing,  came  up  with  the  enemy,  and  an 
engagement  enfued,  in  which  feveral  of  the  rebels  were  killed,  and 
lieut.  Bevil  of  the  regulars  wounded.     The  different  parties  continued 
in  chafe  of  the  fugitives,  and  Ikirmifhes  happened  every  day ;  but  in 
the  mean  while,  the  fpirit  of  rebellion  was  fhewing  itfelf  in  various 
other  parts  of  the  ifland,  there  being  fcarcely  a  fingle  parifli,  to  which 
this  confpiracy  of  the  Coromantins  did  not  extend.     In  St.  Mary's 
parifli  a  check  was  fortunately  given  at  one  eftate,  by  furprizing  a  fa- 
mous obeiah  man  or  prieft,  much  refpefted  among  his  countrymen. 
He  was  an  old  Coromantin,  who,  with  others  of  his  profeflion,  had 
been  a  chief  in  counfeling  and  inftigating  the  credulous  herd,  to  whom 
thefe  priefts  adminiftered  a  powder,  which,  being  rubbed  on  their  bo- 
dies, was  to  make  them  invulnerable:  they  perfuaded  them  into  a  be« 
lief,  that  Tacky,  their  generalifiimo  in  the  woods,  could  not  pofiibly 
be  hurt  by  the  white  men,  for  that  he  caught  all  the  bullets  fired  at 
him  in  his  hand,  and  hurled  them  back  with  deftrudion  to  his  foes. 

M  m  m  2  This 


\ 


452  JAMAICA. 

This  old  impoftor  was  caught  whilft  he  was  tricked  up  with  all  his 
feathers,  teeth,  and  other  implements  of  magic,  and  in  this  attire  fuf- 
fered  military  execution  by  hanging :  many  of  his  difciples,  when  they 
found  that  he  was  fo  eafily  put  to  death,  notwithftanding  all  the 
boaded  feats  of  his  powder  and  incantations,  fbon  altered  their  opi- 
nion of  him,  and  determined  not  to  join  their  countrymen,  in  a  caufe 
which  hitherto  had  been  unattended  with  fuccefs.  But  the  fame  of 
general  Tacky,  and  the  notion  of  his  invulnerability,  ftill  prevailed 
over  the  minds  of  others,  as  that  hero  had  efcaped  hitherto  in  every 
conflift  without  a  wound.  The  true  condition  of  his  party  was  art- 
fully mifreprefented  to  the  Coromantins,  in  the  diftant  parifhes;  they 
were  told  that  every  thing  went  on  profperoufly,  that  viftory  attended 
them,  and  that  nothing  now  remained  but  for  all  their  countrymen  to 
be  hearty  in  the  caufe,  and  the  ifland  mufk  fpeedily  be  their  own. 
Animated  with  thefe  reports,  the  Coromantins  on  capt.  Forpeft's  eftatc, 
in  Weftmoreland,  broke  into  rebellion.  They  furrounded  the  mao« 
fion-houfe,  in  which  Mr.  Smith,  attorney  to  Mr.  Forreft,  with  fome 
friends,  was  fitting  at  fupper;  they  foon  difpatched  Mr.  Smith  and  the 
overfeer,  and  terribly  wounded  captain  Hoare,  commander  of  a  mer- 
chant fliip  in  the  trade,  who  afterwards  recovered.  Three  other  Ne^ 
groes  belonging  to  this  eftate  made  their  efcape  privately,  and  alarmed 
the  neighbouring  fettlements,  by  which  means  the  white  perfons  upon 
them  provided  for  their  lives,  and  took  meafures  which  prevented  the 
Negroes  on  three  contiguous  eftates  from  rifing,  A  gentleman,  pro- 
prietor of  one  of  thefe  eftates,  remarkable  for  his  humanity  and  kind 
treatment  of  his  (laves,  upon  the  firft  alarm,  put  arms  into  the  hands 
of  about  twenty ;  of  whofe  faithful  attachment  to  him,  he  had  the  ut- 
moft  confidence :  thefe  were  all  of  them  Coromantins,  who  no  fooner 
had  got  poffeflSon  of  arms,  than  they  convinced  their  mafter  how  little 
they  merited  the  good  opinion  he  had  entertained  of  them;  for  having 
ranged  themfelves  before  his  houfe,  they  afTured  him  they  would  do 
him  no  harm,  but  that  they  muft  go  and  join  their  countrymen,  and 
then  faluting  him  with  their  hats,  they  every  one  marched  off.  Among 
the  rebels  were  feveral  French  Negroes,  who  had  been  taken  prifoners 
at  Guadalo.upe,  and,  being  fent  to  Jamaica  for  fale,  were  purchafed  by 
capt.  Forreft.  Thefe  men  were  the  more  dangerous,  as  they  bad  been 
in  arms  at  Guadaloupe,  and  ieen  fomething  of  military  operations;  In 

which 


BOOK   IIL    CHAP-  III.  453 

which  they  acquired  fo  much  fkilU  that,  after  the  luaflacre  on  the 
eftate,  when  they  found  their  partifans  of  the  adjacent  plantations  did 
not  appear  to  join  them,  they  killed  feveral  Negroes,  fet  fire  to  build- 
ings and  cane-pieces,  did  a  variety  of  other  miCchief,  and  then  with- 
drew into  the  woods,  where  they  formed  a  ftrong  breaft-work  acrofs 
a  road,  flanked  by  a  rocky  hill;  within  this  work  they  erefted  their 
huts,  and  fat  down  in  a  fort  of  encampment ;  a  party  of  militia,  who 
were  fent  to  attack  them,  very  narrowly  efcaped  being  all  cut  ofT 
The  men  were  badly  difciplined,  having  been  haftily  colletled ;  and 
frilling  into  an  ambufcade,  they  were  ftruck  with  terror  at  the  difmal 
yells,  and  the  multitude  of  their  aflailants.  The  whole  party  was 
thrown  into  the  utmod  confufion,  and  routed,  notwithftanding  every 
endeavour  erf  their  oflScers;  each  ftrove  to  (hiftfor  himfelf,  and  vvhilft 
they  ran  diiferent  ways,  fcarcely  knowing  what  they  were  about,  fe- 
veral were  butchered,  others  broke  their  limbs  over  precipices,  and  the 
reft  With  difficulty  found  their  way  back  again.  This  unlucky  defeat 
raifed  the  fplrlts  of  the  Coromantins  in  this  part  of  the  country,  and 
encouraged  fo  many  to  jo^n  the  victorious  band,  that  the  whole  num- 
ber very  foon  amounted  to  upwards  of  a  thoufand,  including  their 
women,  who  were  neceffary  for  carrying  their  baggage,  and  drefling 
their  viftuals.  This  confequence  ftiewed,  how  ill-judged  it  was,  to 
make  the  firft  attack  upon  them  with  a  handful  of  raw,  undifciplined 
militia,  without  advancing- at  the  fame  time  a  party  in  refer ve,  to  fuf- 
tain  their  efforts,  and  cover  their  retreat.  In  fupprefllng  thefe  muti- 
nies, the  firft  aftion  has  always  been  of  the  utmoft  importance,  and 
therefore  ftiould  never  be  confided  to  any  except  tried  and  well- trained 
men.  The  winning  the  firft  battle  from  the  rebellious  party,  ufually 
decides  the  iflue  of  the  war ;  it  difconcerts  the  confpirators,  not  as  yet 
engaged,  aqd  who  keep  aloof,  irrefolute  whether  to  join  or  not ;  and  it 
intimidates  all  that  are  in  arms,  and  moft  commonly  plunges  them 
into  defpondency:  the  reverfe  is  fure  to  follow  a  defeat  of  the  Whites 
on  the  firft  encounter;  and  nothing  can  add  greater  ftrength  to  rebel- 
lion, or  tend  more  to  raife  the  authority  of  the  priefts  and  leaders  who 
have  fet  it  on  foot.  Thefe  remarks  have  been  fully  verified,  in  courfe 
of  the  prefent,  and  every  other  infurreftion  that  has  occurred  in  this 
ifland.  The  infurgents  in  St.  Mary,  who  opened  the  campaign,  were 
repulfed  in  the  firft  conflift,  and  from  that  time  grew  diiheartened, 

and 


454  JAMAICA. 

and  dltuinifliing  in  their  numbers;  tbelr  confederates  in  that  parifli 
looked  upon  their  rout  as  ominous,  and  would  not  venture  to  afibciate 
with  them  in  the  undertaking,  whilft  thofe  of  Weftmoreland,  who 
would  probably  hnve  given  up  the  caufe,  if  they  had  met  with  a  feverc 
check  at  their  lirft  outfet,  were  now  become  flufhed  with  a  confidence 
in  their  fuperiority,  and  gathered  reinforcements  every  day.     How- 
ever, they  were  not  fuffcred  to  remain  long  in  this  aflurance  of  fuccefs; 
a  detachment  of  the  49th  regiment,  with  a  frefli  company  of  militia, 
and  a  party  of  the  Leeward  Marons,  marched  to  attack  them.     The 
regulars  led  the  van,  the  militia  brought  up  the  rear,  whilft  the  Morons 
lined  the  wood  to  the  right  and  left,  to  prevent  ambufcades.     The  re- 
"  bels  collefted  behind  their  fortification,  made  (hew  of  a  refolution  to 
defend  their  poft,  and  fired  inccflantly  at  their  opponents,  though  with 
110  other  injury  than  wounding  one  foldier.     The   officers  captain 
Forfyth,  who  commanded  the  detachment,  advanced  with  the  utmoft 
Jntrepidity,  ordering  his  men  to  refer ve  their  tire,  till  they  had  reached 
the  breaft-work;  at  which  time,  they  poured  in  fuch  a  volley,  that 
feveral  of  the  rebels  immediately  fell,p  and  the  reft  ran  as  faft  as  they 
could  up  the  hill.     A  Mulatto   man  behaved  with  great  bravery  in 
thisaftion;  he  leaped  on  the  breaft-work,  and  aftaulted  the  rebels 
fword  in  hand.     Having  gained  a  lodgement,  the  troops  declined  a 
purfuit,  and  carelefsly  entered  the  huts,  where  they  fat  down  to  rc- 
frefli  themfelves  with  fome  provifions,  of  which  they  found  a  lai^e 
flore;  the  rebels,  perceiving  this,  difcharged  feveral  random  (hot  from 
the  hill  above  them,  which  pa(!ed  through  the  huts,  and  had  very 
near  been  fatal  to  fome  of  the  officers :  the  Maronsj  upon  this,  pene- 
trated the  wood  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and  afcending  it  on  the  oppofite 
fide,  and  fpreading  themfelves,  fuddcnly  afTaulted  the  rebels  in  flank, 
who  were  inftautly  routed,  and  a  great  number  killed,  or  taken  pri- 
fbners.     During  the  attack  at  the  breaft-work,  Jemmy,  a  Negroc 
belonging  to  the  late  Mr.  Smith,  gave  proof  of  his  fidelity  and  regard 
to  his  mafter,  whofe  death  he  revenged  by  killing  one  of  the  rebels, 
and  other  fervices,  for  which  he  was  afterwards  rewarded  with  his  fi-ee- 
dom,  and  an  annuity  for  life,  by  the  aflembly.     After  this  overthrow, 
the  Weftmoreland  rebels  were  never  able  to  aft  any   otherwife  than 
on  the  defenfive;  feveral  (kirmi(hes  happened,  in  which  they  were 
conftantly  put  to  flight;  their  numbers  were  gradually  reduced,  and 

many 


BOOK  IIL    CHAP.   IIL  455 

many  deftroyed  thenifelves.  About  the  time  of  their  breaking  out, 
feveral  other  confpiracies  were  in  agitation :  in  the  Vale  of  Luidas,  in 
St.  John*s,  the  Coromantins  had  agreed  to  rife,  ravage  the  eftates,  and 
murther  the  white  men  there ;  they  fixed  a  certain  day  for  commen- 
cing hoftilities,  when  they  were  to  break  open  the  houfe  at  Langher's 
plantation,  andfeize  thejire  arms  lodged  there  ^  after  which,  they  were 
to  Hay  all  the  Whites  they  could  meet  with,  fire  the  houfes  and  cane- 
pieces,  and  lay  all  the  country  wafte.  Three  Negroes,  who  were 
privy  to  this  machination,  difclofed  it  to  theix*  overfeer,  in  confequence 
of  which,  the  ringleaders  were  taken  up,  and,  upon  conviftion,  exe- 
cuted ;  others,  who  turned  evidence,  were  tranfported  off  the  ifland  t 
and  thus  the  whole  of  this  bloody  fcheme  was  providentially  fruftrated. 
In  the  pari(h  of  St.  Thomas  in  the  Eaft,  a  Negroe,  named  Caffee; 
who  had  been  preffed  by  fome  Coromantins  there  to  join  with  them 
in  rebelling,  and  deftroying  the  eftates  and  white  inhs^bitants,  declined 
at  firft  being  concerned  ;  but  recoUefting  that  fome  advantages  might 
be  gained  to  himfelf  by  a  thorough  knowledge  of  their  intentions,  he 
afterwards  pretended  to  have  thought  better  of  their  propofals,  and,  pro- 
fefling  his  zeal  to  embrace'them,  he  aflbciated  at  their  private  cabals 
from  time  to  tirne,.  till  he  became  mafier  of  the  whole  fecret,  which  he 
took  the  firft  opportunity  to  difcover,  and  moft  of  the  confpiratovs 
were  apprehended. 

Confpiracies  of  the  like  nature  were  like  wife  detected  in  Kingfton^ 
St.  Dorothy,  Clarendon,  and  St.  James,  and  the  partizans  (ecured. 

In  Kingfton,  a  wooden  fword  was  found,  of  a  peculiar  ftrufture^ 
with  a  red  feather  ftuck  into  the  handle;  this  was  ufed  among  the  Qo^ 
Tomantins  as  a  fignal  for  war;  and,  upon  examining  this,  and  other 

'  fufpicious  circum fiances,  to  the  bottom,  it  was  difcovered,  that  the 
Coromantins  of  that  town  had  raifed  one  Cubah,  a  female  flave  belong* 
ing  to  a  Jewefs,  to  the  rank  of  royalty,  and  dubbed  her  queen  of  King^ 

Jton\  at  their  meetings  (he  had  iat  in  fiate  under  a  canopy,  with  a  fort 
of  robe  on  her  ihoulders,  and  a  crown  upon  her  head.  Her  majefty 
was  feized,  and  ordered  for  tranfportation;  but,  prevailing  on  the  cap-^ 
tain  of  the  tranfport  to  put  her  afliore  again  in  the  leeward  part  of  the- 
ifland,  (he  continued  there  for  fome  time  undiicovered,  but  at  length 
was  taken  up,  and  executed.  Thcfe  circumfiMces  fliew  the  great  ex-^ 
tent  of  the  confpiracy,  the  fijrid  correfpondence  which  had  been  carried 


45^  J    A    M    A     I"  C     A. 

on  by  the  Coromantins  in  every  quarter  of  the  ifland,  and  their  almoft 
incredible  fecrefy  in  the  forming  their  plan  of  infurreftion ;  for  it  ap- 
peared in  evidence,  that  the  firft  eruption  in  St.  Mary's,  was  a  matter 
preconcerted,  and  known  to  all  the  chief  men  in  the  different  diftrifts ; 
and  the  fecret  was  probably  confided  to  fome  hundreds,  for  feveral 
months  before  the  blow  was  ftruck. 

Some  perfons  furmifed,  that  they  were  privately  encouraged,  and 
furniflied  with  arms  and  ammunition,  by  the  French  and  Spaniards, 
whofe  piccaroons  were  often  feen  hovering  near  the  coaft ;  but  there 
feems  no  juft  foundation  for  fuch  an  opinion:  it  is  certain,  the  rebels 
found  an  eafier  means  of  fupplying  themfelves  with  large  quantities  of 
powder,  ball,  lead,  and  feveral  ftands  of  arms,  on  the  different  eftatcs 
where  they  broke  out;  on  fome  of  thefe,  they  found  two  or  three 
dozen  mufquets  and  cutlafles,  which  were  not  guarded  by  more  than 
two  or  three  white  men.  The  planters,  as  I  have  before  remarked^ 
very  imprudently  kept  thefe  magazines,  which  were  by  far  too  many 
for  their  neceflary  defence,  and  attrafted  the  notice  of  the  Coroman- 
tins, who  are  praftifed  in  the  ufe  of  arms  from  their  youth  in  their 
own  country,  and  are  at  all  times  difpofed  for  mutiny. 

A  frefli  infurreftion  happened  in  St.  James's,  which  threatened  to 
"become  very  formidable,  had  it  not  been  for  the  aflivity  of  brigadier 
Witter  of  the  militia,  and  lieut.  colonel  Spragge  of  the  49th,  who  dif- 
perfed  the  infurgents,  and  took  feveral  prifoners;  but  the  reft  efeaped, 
and,  uniting  with  the  ftragglers  of  the  other  defeated  parties,  formed  a 
large  gang,  and  infefted  Carpenter's  Mountains  for  fome  time.  Ano- 
ther party  of  twelve  Coromantins  in  Clarendon,  whom  their  mafter, 
from  a  too  good  opinion  of  their  fidelity,  had  imprudently  armed,  at 
their  own  earneft  intreaty,  and  fent  in  queft  of  a  (mail  detached  band 
of  rebels,  of  whofe  haunt  he  had  gained  intelligence,  deferted  to  their 
countrymen,  but  were  fbon  after  furprized,  and  the  greater  part  of 
tiiem  killed  or  taken.  Damon,  one  of  the  Weftmoreland  chiefs,  with 
a  fmall  gang,  having  pofted  himfelf  at  a  place  called  Mile  Gully  in 
Clarendon,  a  voluntary  party,  under  command  of  Mr.  Scot  and  Mr. 
Greig,  with  three  or  four  more,  went  in  queft  of  them.  They  had  a 
lon^  way  to  march  in  the  night,  through  the  woods,  and  acrofe  a  dif- 
ficult country ;  but,  having  provided  themfelves  with  a  trufty  giiide, 
they  came  up  to  the  haimt  about  midnight,  attacked  the  rebels  without 

lofs 


BOOK  m.    CHAP.  III.  .f57 

lofs  of  time,  kiired  the  chief,  and  one  of  his  men,  wounded  aAother„ 
and  took  two  prifoners ;  for  which  fervice,  the  aflembly  made  them  a 
genteel  recompence,  befides  a  good  reward  to  the  Negroes  who  affifted 
them  in  this  enterprize. 

The  rebels  in  St.  Mary's,  under  general  Tacky,  ftill  maintained 
their  ground.  Admiral  Holmes  had  difpatched  a  frigate  to  Port 
Maria,  which  proved  of  ^reat  ufe  for  the  fafe  cuftody  of  prifoners, 
who  were  too  numerous  to  be  confined  on  ihore,  and  required  too 
large  a  party  of  militia  to  guard  them;  but  after  they  were  removed 
on  board,  where  they  were  well  fecured,  the  militia  were  ready  to  be 
employed  on  more  aftive  fervice:  no  meafurc,  therefore,  could  be  more 
feaibnable  and  judicious;  and  it  was  one  good  tfftSt  of  the  harmony, 
then  fubfiiting  between  the  commander  of  the  fquidron  and  the  li€\i« 
tenant  governor.  The  rebels  now  thought  only  of  concealing*them* 
felves,  and  made  choice  of  a  little  glade,  or  cockpit,  fo  environed  witli 
rocky  fteeps,  that  it  was  difficult  to  come  at  them;  but,  in  this  fitua- 
tion,  a  pdrty  of  militia  and  Marons^  with  fome  failors,  ailaulted  them 
with  hand  grenades,  killed  fome,  and  took  a  few  prifoners.  Soon  after 
this,  they  fufFered  a  more  decifive  overthrow;  thcAf^rM/of  Scot's- 
Hall,  having  got  fight  of  their  main  body^  forced  them  to  an  engage- 
ment; the  rebels  fooh  gave  way,  and  Tacky,  their  leader,  having  fepa« 
rated  from  the  reft,  was  clofely  purfued  by  lieut.  Davy  of  the  Maronsr 
who  fired  at  him  whilft  they  were  both  running  a  full  fpeed,  and  (hot 
htm  dead.  His  head  was  brought  to  Spanifii  Town,  and  ftuck  on  a 
pole  in  the  highway ;  but,  not  long  after,  ftolen,  as  was  fuppofed,  by 
fome  of  his  countrymen,  who  were  unwilling  to  let  it  remain  expofed 
in  fo  ignominious  a  manner.  The  lofs  of  this  chief  [jy],  and  of  Ja- 
maica, another  of  their  captains,  who  fell  in  the  fame  battle,  ftruck 
niofi  of  the  furvivors  of  dieir  little  anny  with  defpair;  they  betook 

themfelves 

[ji]  He  Mras  a  young  man  of  good  {hiture,  and  well  made;  hia  countenance  handfome,  but  ni« 
ther  of  an  effeminate  than  manly  caft.  It  was  faid,  he  had  Battered  himielf  with  the  hope  of  ob- 
taining (among  other  fruits  of  vi^ory)  the  lieutenant  governor's  lady  for  his  concubine.  He  did 
not  appear  to  be  a  man  of  any  extraoidinaiy  genius,  and  probably  was  chofen  general,  from  his 
fimilitude  in  perfon  to  (bme  favourite  leader  of  their  nation  in  Africa.  A  gentl^an,  ieveral  years 
fince,  having  iet  up  in  a  conipicuous  part  of  his  plantation  a  bronzed  (btue  of  a  gladiator,  fome- 
wbat  larger  than  the  natural  fize,  the  Coromantins  no  fooner  beheld,  than  they  were  almoft  ready  to 
hSL  down,  and  adore  it.  Upon  enquiry,  the  gentleman  learnt,  that  they  had  difcovered  a  very 
{biking  likenefs  between  this  figure  and  one  of  their  princes,  and  believed  that  it  had  been  copi^ 
from  hinu 

Vot.  II.  N  n  o  Two 


4s8  JAMAICA. 

diemfclves  to  a  cave,,  at  the  diftance  of  a  mile  or  two  (torn  the  icene  o( 
adion,  where  it  was  thought  they  laid  violent  hands  on  one  another, 
to  the  number  of  twenty-five;  however,  the  Afor^^/,  who  found  them 
out,  claimed  the  honour  of  having  flain  them,  and  brought  their  ears 
to  the  lieutenant  governor,  in  teftimony  of  their  death,  and  to  entitle 
themfelves  to  the  ufual  reward.  A  few  miferable  fugitives  ftill  fculked 
about  the  woods,  in  continual  terror  for  their  fate ;  but  at  length,  they 
contrived  to  fend  an  embaily  to  a  gentleman  of  the  pariifh  (Mr. 
Gordon),  in  whofe  honour  they  repofed  implicit  confidence,  and  ex« 
prefled  their  readinefs  to  furrender  upon  the  condition  of  being  trani^ 
pQTrted  off  the  ifland,  inftead  of  being  put  to  death.  This  gentleman 
had  a  congrefs  with  their  leaders  unarmed,  and  promifed  to  exert  his 
endeavours  with  the  lieutenant  governor ;  on  their  part,  they  ieem^d 
well  pleafed  to  wait  his  determination,  and  gave  aflurance  of  their 
peaceable  demeanour  in  the  mean  while.  The  lieutenant  governor's 
confent  was  obtained  ;  but  under  an  appearance  of  difficulty,  to  make 
it  the  more  defireable ;  and,  upon  intimation  of  it  at  the  next  private 
congrefs,  they  one  and  all  fubmitted,  and  were  (hipped  off,  purfuant  to 
the  fkipulation.  The  remains  of  the  Weftmoreland  and  St.  Jameses 
rebels  ftill  kept  in  arms,  and  committed  fome  ravages.  In  September 
therefore  (1760)  the  lieutenant  governor  convened  the  aflembly,  and 
in  his  fpeech  informed  them,  ^*  That  the.various  fcenes  of  diftreis,  occa- 
fioned  by  the  infurredlions  which  broke  out  in  fo  many  different  parts 
of  the  country,  would  have  engaged  him  fooner  to  call  the±  togethep^ 
but  he  was  obliged  to  defer  it,  as  their  prefence  was  fo  neceffary  in  the 
feveral  difiri£ts,  to  prevent  the  fpreading  of  an  evil  fo  dangerous  in  its 
confequence  to  the  whole  ifland. 

<^*  That  he  had  the  fatisfa&ion  to  acquaint  them,  his  expectations 
had  been  fully  anfwered,  by  the  vigilance  and  bravery  of  the  troops  . 
employed  during  the  late  troubles ;  that  the  many  difficulties  they  had 
to  encounter,  only  ferved  to  fet  their  behaviour  in  a  more  advantage- 

Two  of  the  St,.  Mary's  riogleaders^  Fortune  and  Kingflon^  were  bong  up  alive  in  irons  on  a  gib^ 
bet,  creftcd  in  the  ^rade  of  the  town  of  Kingfton.  Fortune  ISved  feven  dap,  but  Kingilon  fur— 
vived  tijl  the  ninth.  The  morning  before  the  latter  expired,  he  appeared  to  be  convulfed  from 
head  to  foot ;  and  upon  being  opened,  after  his  deceafe,  his  Kings  were  found  adhering  to  the  back 
ib  tightly,  that  it  required  Ibme  force  to  difengage  them.  The  murders  and  outrages  ^ey  had  com- 
mitted, were  th6ught  to  julHfy  this  cruel punifliment  inflided  upon  them  in  terrorem to  others;  but 
they  appeared  to  be  very  little  affected  by  it  themfelves  j  behaving  all  the  time  ^th  a  degree  of 
bardcned  infolence,  and  brutal  infenfibility,. 

5  oua. 


BOOK  in.    CHAP.  III.  459 

ous  Kght ;  and  the  plan  now  propofed  for  carrjnng  on  their  dperationst 
had  the  faireft  profpeA  of  totally  fupprefiing,  in  a  vtty  (hort  time»  all 
the  difturbersof  the  public  repofe. 

^'  That  the  ready  afliftance  he  had  received  from  rearradiniral 
Holmes,  in  tranfporting  troops  and  provifions  and  in  Rationing  his 
majedy's  ihips  where  they  could  be  of  moft  fervice^  ena»bled  him  to 
make  ufe  of  fuch  vigorous  meafures,  and  employ  to  advantage  fuch  a 
force,  that,  notwithftanding  the  formidable  number  of  rebels  which  had 
appeared  in  arms^  and  the  many  combinations  which  were  formed 
among  the  flaves  throughout  the  ifland,  tb&ir  prtjeSts  were  rendered 
abortive^  and  tranquillity  again  reftored,  where  total  deftrufiion  had 
been  threatened. 

<*  That  nothing  bad  been  omitted  to  render  the  martial  law  as  little 
grievous  as  poilible  to  the  inhabitants,  although  the  long  continuance 
of  it  could  not  fail  of  being  feverely  felt  by  the  community  in  general; 
but  the  public  fecurity  required  it;  and  to  that,  every  other  confidera- 
tjon  gave  place. 

**  That  the  care  which  had  been  taken  to  introduce  a  proper  difci** 
pline  among  the  militia,  had  now  put  them  on  fo  refpe£lable  a  footing^t 
that  they  only  required  the  aid  of  legiflature,  to  make  them  truly 
tifefiil.  Tlie  great  defeds  of  the  laft  militia  law  were  never  more  ap-^ 
parent  than  during  the  late  misfortunes,  when  the  private  foldier  was 
fupported  in  difobedience  of  his  commanding  officer's  orders;  and, 
when  called  upon  for  his  country's  fervice,  empowered,  on  the  pay- 
ment of  9n  inconfiderable  fine  [2],  to  withdraw  that  affiftance,  for- 
which  he  was  enlifted/' 

The  latter  part  of  the  lieutenant  governor's  fpeech  alludes  princi* 
pally  to  the  conduA  of  fcveral  privates  in  the  militia,  and  particularly 
the  Jews,  who  refufed  to  turn  out  and  appear  under  arms  on  their  fab« 
batb>  and  other  fefiivals  or  fads,  making  a  religious  icruple  of  confcl- 
ence  their  pretext,  though  it  was  well  known  that  they  never  fcrupled 
taking  money  and  vending  drams  upon  thofe  days;  others  wilfiiUy 
abfented  themfelves,  and  paid  the  fine,  which  came  to  much  lefs  than 
their  profits  amounted  to  by  fiaying  at  home,  and  attending  their 
(hops.  Imuft  not  here  omit  a  little  anecdote  relative  to  thefe  people: 
one  of  the  rebel  leaders,  having  been  taken  prifoner  in  Wcftmorcland, 

£s]  Ten  fhillin^p  for  non-appearance  at  luuftcr.  .  .       .      ... 

N  n  in  a  was 


;f6o  JAMAICA. 

was  confined  in  itons,  in  the  barrack  at  Savannah  la  Mar,  to  wait  his 
biaL  It  happened  that,  on  the  night  after  his  captivity,  a  Jew  was 
appointed  to  ftand  centry  over  him :  about  midnight  the  rebel,  after 
reconnotteri[ng  the  perfon  of  his  guard,  took  the  opportunity  of  tam- 
pering with  him,,  to  favour  his  e{cape.  **  You  Jews,  faid  he,  and  our 
•*  nation  (meaning  the  Corcmantins),  ought  to  confider  ourfelves  as 
♦*  one  people.  You  differ  from  the  reft  of  the  Whites,  and  they  hate 
**  you.  Surely  then  it  is  beft  for  us  to  join  in  one  common  intereft, 
*•  drive  them  out  of  the  country,  and  hold  poi&ffion  of  it  to  ourfelves. 
**  We  will  have  (continued  he)  a  fair  divifion  of  the  eftates,  and  wc 
^*  will  make  fugar  and  rum,  and  bring  them,  to  market.  As  for  the 
«'  failors,  you  fee  they  do  not  oppofe  us,  they  care  not  who  is  in  poi^ 
•«  feffion  of  the  country.  Black  or  White,  it  is  the  fame  to  them ;  fo 
•*  that  after  we  are  become  matters  of  it,  you  need  not  fear  but  they 
V  will  come  cap  in  hand  to  us  (as  they  now  do  to  the  Whites)  to 
**  trade  with  us.  They'll  bring  us  things  from  t'other  fide  the  fca, 
**  and  be  glad  to  take  our  goods  in  payment.'*  Finding  the  Jew's  ar- 
guments, in  objeftion  to  this  propofal,  not  fb  difficult  to  furmount  as 
be  bad  expefted,  he  then  finiihed  his  harangue  with  an  offer,  that^ 
*^  if  he  would  but  rcleafe  him  from  his  irons,  he  would  conduA  him 
•*  direftly  to  a  fpot,  where  he  had  buried  fome  hundred  of  piftoles, 
w  which  he  fhould  have  in  reward.*'  The  Jew  was  very  earneft  to 
know  whereabouts  this  hidden  treafure  lay,  that  he  might  firft  fatisfy 
bis  own  eyes,  that  what  he  had  been  told  was  true,  before  he  (hould 
take  any  further  ftcp ;  but  the  prifoner  flatly  refiifed  to  let  him  into  the- 
fecret,  unkfs  he  was  firfl:  fet  at  liberty ;  which  condition  the  IfraeJite 
was  either  too  honeft  or  too  unbelieving  lo  comply  with,  but  the 
next  day  reported  what  had  pafled>  to  his  officers. 

•  Tlie  lieutenant-governor  recommended  to  the  houfe,  the  putting 
the  ifland  into  a  better  pofture  of  defence,  and  the  paffing  fuch  new 
regulations  for  remedying  thofe  defedls  in  the  laws,  which  the  late 
calamities  had  pointed  out,  as  might  bed  feem  adapted  to  prevent 
future  attempts  of  the  like  nature, 

Theafibmbly  immediiately  addreflcd  him^  to  proclaim,  martial  law,, 
in  order  to  put  an  end  to  the  rebellion  ftill  lubfifting  in  the  Leeward' 
part  of  the  ifland.  They  tranfmitted  the  thanks  or  their  houfe  to 
admiral  Holmes  for  the  affiftance  he  had  given  ;  who  returned  a  very 

polite 


BOOK  IIL    CHAR   III.  461 

polite  anfwer,  and  affu red  them,  **  that' his  greateft  pleafu re  would 
*«  coufift  in  the  execution  of  his  duty  againft  his  majefty's  enemies^ 
"  and  in  giving  the  utmoft  prote^Slion  in  his  power  to  the  trade  and 
**  commerce  of  the  ifland." 

They  likewife  expreffed  their  moft  grateful  fentiments  of  the  lieu-^ 
tenant-governor's  vigilance  and  conduct,  which  had  fo  happily  con» 
tributed  to  the  reduftion  of  the  rebels  in  one  part,  and  would,  they 
hoped,  very  (hortly  efFeft  their  total  fuppreffion.  For  this  end,  they 
applied  their  deliberations,  and  received  the  propofals  of  William, 
Hynes,  a  millwright  by  trade,  who  had  been  ufed  to  the  woods,  and 
very  fefviceable  againft  the  rebels  in  St.  Mary's.  He  propofed  that 
he  (hould  be  empowered  by  the  lieutenant-governor  to  beat  up  for 
volunteers,  and  raife  among  the  free  Mulattos  and  Negroes  a  party 
of  one  hundred  (hot ;  with  which  he  would  march  againft  the  re-- 
bels  in  Weftmoreland,    and  do  his  utmoft  to  reduce  them. 

He  defired  to  have  two  lieutenants  and  one  enlign  to  be  in  fubordi- 
nate  command  ;  that  the  reward  for  their  fervice  ftiould  be  equal, 
and  that  his  party  fhould  be  furniflied  at  the  public  expence  with 
fuitable  arms  and  accoutrements,  money  to  provide  neceflaries,  and 
a  ftated  premium  for  every  rebel  they  (hould  take  or  deftroy.  This 
fcheme  was  approved  of,  and  a  bill  paffed  for  carrying  it  into  im- 
mediate execution.  At  the  fame  time  feven  companies,  of  thirty 
men  each,  were  draughted  from  the  militia,  and  fifteen  baggage- Ne- 
groes allotted  to  each  company,  making  in  all  three  hundred  and  fif- 
teen, who  were  ftationed  by  the  lieutenant-governor  in  the  moft-  ad- 
vantageous pofts  ;  and  troopers  were  difpofed  in  fuch  a  manner,  as^ 
to  carry  difpatches  to  and  from  them,  with  the  beft  expedition.  The 
aflembly  granted  450  /.  to  be  divided  among  the  Marons  of  Tre- 
lawny  andAccompong  Towns^  in  payment  of  their  arrears  due  ' 
to  them,  and  to  enoourage  their  future  fervices.  Captain  Hynesr 
with  his  party,  wiSfnt  in  fearch  of  the  rebels,  and  wa«  four  months 
on  thefcout;  at  laft,  after  a  tedious  purfuit,  he  furprized  them  ia 
their  haunt,  killed  and  took  twelve,  and  the  remainder  were  after- 
wards either  (lain  or  taken  prifeners  by  other  parties,  or  deftroyed 
themfelves,  which  latter  was  the  cataftrophc  of  numbers ;.  for  the 
parties  of  militia  frequently  canoe  (p  places  in  the  woods,  where  feveti 
or  eight  were  found  tied  up  Witb  withes  to  the  boughs  of  trees  v  and 

previous 


46z  JAMAICA. 

previous  to  thefe  felf-murders,  they  had  generally  maflacred  their 
women  and  children.     The  aflembly  ordered  562/.  12  j.  6  ^.  to  be 
paid  captain  Hynes,  for  his  difburferaeuts,  and  as  a  recompence  for 
his  fervices.     Thus   terminated   tliis  rebellion  ;  which,  whether  we 
confider  the  extent  and  fecrefy  of  its  plan,  the  multitude  of  the  con- 
Ipirators,  and  the  difficulty  of  oppofing  its  eruptions  in  fuch  a  vari- 
ety of  different  places  at  once,  will  app/ar  to  have  been  more  formi- 
dable than  any  hitherto  known  in  the  Weft  Indies  ;  though  happily 
extinguilhed,  in  far  lefs  time  than  was  expedted,  by  the  precaution 
aiid  judgement  of  the  lieutenant-governor  in  the  difpoHtion  of  the 
forces,  the  prompt  affiftance  of  the  admiral,  and  the  alacrity  of  the 
regulars,  feamen,    militia,   and  Marons,  who  all  contributed  their 
(hare   towards  the  fpeedy  fuppreffion  of  it.     The  lieutenant  go- 
vernor, under  whofe  prudent  conduft  this  inteftine  war  was  fb  fuc* 
cefsfully  brought  to  a   conclufion,  was  a  native  of  the  ifland,  and. 
had  a  property    in  it  at  ftake ;  but  if  this,  .may  detradl  any  thing 
from  the  merits  of  his  exertion,  it  proves  at  leaft,   how  much  more 
may  reafohably  be  hoped  from  the  afliduity  of  ^  gentleman  of  the  . 
ifland,  who  is  interefted  in  its  welfare,  and  in  whom  >a  perfeft  know^ 
ledge  of  the  country   is   fuperadded   to   natural  ability  and   public 
fpirit,  than  from  others,  who,  having  nothing  to  lofe  in  it,  may  be 
lefs  anxious   for  its  prefervation.     There    fell,  by  the  hands  of  the 
rebels,  by  murder,  and  in  adion,   about,  (ixty  white,  perfpns;-  the 
number  of  the  rebels  who  werekiUed,^or  deftroyed  themf<;Ives,  was  • 
between  three  and  four  hundred,   .  Few  in  proportion  were  executed, 
the  major  part  of  the  prifbner$  being  tranfported  off  the  ifland  [iij. 
Such  as  appeared  to  have  been  involuntarily  compelled  to  join  them» 
were  acquitted  ;  but  the  whole  amount  of  th^  killed,  fuicides,  exe« 
cuted  and  tranfported,  was  not  lefs  than   one  thoufand  ; :  aad  ,  the 
wholalofs  fuftained  by  the  country,  in  ruined  buildings,  Cane^pieces^  . 
cattle,  flaves,  and  difl)urfements,  was  at  leaft   100,000  /.  to  jfpeak  ' 
within  compafs.  ... 

\a'\  Mbft  of  them  were  fent  to  the  Bay  of  Honduras,  which  hasf  long  been  the  common  recep- 
tacfe  ofNegroe  criminals,  baniflied  from  this  ifland;  the  con^uen^  df  which  may,  fohietime.or 
other,  prove  veiy  troublefome  to  the  bgwood  cutters ;  yet  they  make  no  fpruple  to  buy  thefe  out- 
cafls,  as  they  cod  but  little.  It  is  diHicult  to  find  a  convenient  market  ibr  fuch  i^aves  among  the 
neighbouring  foreign  colonies ;  but, '  if  pofiibly  it  could  be  avoided,  thefe^  dabgerous  {pirks  ihouM 
«>t  Ik  feitt  to  renew  iheir  ontniges  in  any  of  OMX  own  infiiiiriettleni^^ 

Tiie 


BOOK  IIL    CHAP.  in.  463 

The  afTcmbly,  upon  the  lieutenant  governor's  recommendation^ 
proceeded  to  frame  and  pals  an  ad,  to  remedy  the  evils  arifing  from 
irregular  meetings  of  flaves ;  to  prevent  their  carrying  arms»  or  having 
ammunition,  or  going  from  place  to  place  without  tickets ;  to  prohibit 
the  praftices  of  ob^tab  (or  the  arts  of  pretended  conjurors) ;  to  reftrain 
overfeers  from  leaving  eilates  under  their  management  on  certain  days 
(Sundays  and  holidays);  and  to  oblige  all  free  Negroes,  Mulattoes,  and 
Indians,  to  regifler  their  names  in  the  veftry  books  of  their  refpeftive 
parities,  and  carry  about  them  a  certificate,  and  wear  (the  crofs)  a 
badge  of  their  freedom  ;  and,  laftly,  to  prevent  any  captain,  mafter, 
or  fupercargo,  of  any  veffel,  from  bringing  back  convift  tranfported 
(laves.     All  thefe  regulations  were  extremely  prudent  and  necefTary  ; 
but  they  explain  the  defeSis  hinted  in  the  lieutenant  governor's  fpeech 
to  the  houfe,  and  evince  the  abufe  which  has  been  made  by  the  Ne* 
groes  of  the  indulgencies  hitherto  allowed  them.   The  aflembly  further 
voted,  that  the  feveral  flaves,  fent  out  againft  the  rebels  during  the  late 
rebellioif,  fhould  receive  the  iame  rewards  for  killing,  or  taking  them, 
alive,  as  the  Marans  were  entitled  to,  upon  producing  a  certificate  to 
the  commanding  officer,  of  their  having  effeded  iuch  fervlce.     They 
alfo  pafled  an  ad(,  for  purchafing  from  their  owners,  and  granting 
freedom,  to  about  twenty  N^oe  flaves,  for  their  fidelity  to  the  pub- 
lic ;  they  fettled  upon  each  of  them  an  annuity  for  life,  and  gave  them 
a  circular  badge,  or  medal  of  filver,  on  which  was  engraved  the  date 
of  the  year,  with  the  words, "  Freedom  for  being  Honefiy   on  one  fide, 
and  on  the  reverfe,  **  By  the  Country ^'^ 

As  thefe  infurredions  and  confpiracies  had,  for  the  mofl  part,  ap-- 
peared  upon  cflates  belonging  to  perfons  refident  in  England,  and  the 
expences  attending  their  fupprefflon  occaiioned  a  very  enormous  fum 
to  be  levied  in  taxes,  it  was  thought  but  equitable,,  that  the  propri-- 
etors,  who,  by  their  abfence,  had  left  their  flaves  in  want  of  a  due 
controul,  and  the  perfonal  influence  of  a  mafler,  and  their  eflates  to  be 
defended  by  the  perfonal  fcr vices  and  hardfhips  of  other  men,  while 
they  themielves  were  repofing  in  eafe  and  affluence,  beyond  the  reach  . 
of  danger,  ought  to  compenfate  for  their  non-reiidence,  by  paying  a 
larger  fhare  of  the  public  charges,  incurred  in  fome  meafure  through 
their  means.      They  accordingly  refolved  to  double  the  deficiency 
tax  for  the  year  1761  ^  and  allow  every  proprietor  refident  withia  » 

the 


4«4  J    A    M    A    i    C    A. 

the  ifland  to  fave  his  own  deficiency  for  30  flares,  or  j  50  liead  of 
cattle ;  and  all  proprietors,  under  twenty-one  years  of  age,  fent  off 
for  the  benefit  of  their  education,  to  fave  half  a  deficiency.  By  this 
meafure  they  threw  an  extraordinary  weight  of  taxation,  for  that  year, 
upon  the  ahfcntee?.  They  like  wife  addrcffcd  his  majefty,  that  he 
would  be  plcafcd  to  gire  direftions,  that  the  company  of  the  49th 
regiment,  ftationed  at  the  Mofquito  ihore,  and  four  companies  of  the 
74th,  at  the  coaft  of  Africa,  might  repair  to,  andjoin,  their  rcfpeftivc 
regiments  in  Jamaica.  They  reprefcnted,  that  many  gentlemen,  of 
large  ellates  in  the  ifland,  were  non-refidents,  whofe  influence  over 
their  flaves,  if  refident,  would,  in  all  probability,  contribute  much  to 
the  prevention  of  the  mifchiefs  arifing  from  rebellious  confpiracies  and 
int-urredions ;  and  that  they  found  thetpielves  under  indifpeniable  ne- 
eeflity  of  foliciting  his  majefiy  for  another  regiment,  for  the  better 
fecurity  of  the  ifland ;  and  the  rather,  as  they  had  pafled  a  bill,  oblig- 
ing the  inhabitants  of  the  feveral  pariflies  to  ered  barracks  for  the  re« 
ception  and  accommodation  of  more  troops.  They  voted  a  large  fum 
for  ftrcngthening  the  fortifications^  ordered  a  fupply  of  ftores  for  the 
forts,  and  diredted  a  powder  magazine  to  be  built  at  Spanifli  Town. 

On  the  ixth  of  October,  1761,  the  aflembly  met  again  ;  when  the 
Meutenant  governor,  in  his  fpeech,  informed  them,  that  he  had  delayed 
their  meeting  beyond  the  ufual  time,  in  order  that  tvcTy  meafure 
might  be  enforced,  which  could  tend  to  the  prefervation  of  the  general 
tranquillity,  at  that  time  happily  reftored  again,  £y  the  totai/uppre^n 
ef  the  rebellion^  and  to  give  them  opportunity  of  fupporting,  by  their 
prefence  in  their  feveral  diflri£ts,  thofe  reiblutions,  which  were  taken 
for  the  internal  fecurity  of  the  ifland,  and  the  prevention  of  future 
attempts,  to  involve  them  again  in  calamities  of  the  like  nature.  That 
the  advantages  which  muft  attend  the  eredion  of  barracks  in  the  difier* 
ent  pariflies,  and  the  cantoning  his  majefty*s  troops  according  to  the 
plan  then  laid  down,  were  fb  evident,  that  no  one,  intere();ed  in 
the  welfare  of  that  community,  could  difapprove  of  fo  prudent  a 
meafure. 

Thus,  every  meafure  that  could  be  fuggefied,  either  for  remcdying^ 
the  diforders  under  which  the  ifland  had  fuf&red  {o  much,  or  for  baf- 
fling the  machinations  of  future  infurgents,  or  putting  the  forts  and 
fcrtifications  into  a  reQ[»edable  flate  of  defence  againft  foreign  enemies^ 

was 


BOOK  III.    CHAP.   m.  465 

was  f>rofecuted  as  far  as  the  fieutenant  governor's   authority  could 
give  it  fan^ion,  or  the  affembly  fecond  his  recommendations*     Mr. 
Lryttelton  arrived  as  governor  the  following  year  (February,   1762); 
and  the  public  tranquillity  remained  undifturbed  by  infurredtions  for 
fbtoe  time.    It  was  however  well  known,  that  feveral  Coromantins, 
wh*6  had  aftually  been  in  arms  during  the  late  commotion,  whilft 
their  taufe  worp  a  promifing  afpeft,  flunk  away  afterwards,  and  re* 
turned  again  again  to  their  duty,  affefting  great  abhorrence  at  the  be- 
haviour of  their  countrymen,  and  even  pretending  that  they  had  been 
exerting  themfelves  in  oppofition  to  the  rebels.     With  good  reafon 
therefore  it  was  fufpefted,  by  many  perfons  in  St.  Mary's,  that  thefe 
deferters,  who  had  taken  x\\tfetijlje^  or  oath,  which  they  regard  as  in- 
violable, would  difTemble  their  genuine  fentiments  for  the  prefent,  and 
wait  a  favourable  opportunity  to  execute  their  bloody  purpofes.   Some 
time  in  July,   1765,  there  was  a  private  meeting  in  that  parifti,  of 
feveral  Coromantin  headmen,  who  entered  into  a  confpiracy  for  a 
frefh  infurredion,  to  take  place  immediately  after  the  Chriftmas  holir 
days  ;  they  bound  the  compad  with  their  fetiflie,  according  to  cuilom^ 
and  received  aflurances  from  all  or  mod  of  the  Coromantins  in  the 
parifli,  that  they  would  join.     But  the  impatience  of  fome  among 
them  to  begin  the  work,  hurried  them  on  to  rife  before  the  day  ap>- 
pointed,  and  difccfncerted  their  whole  plan  ;  for,  on  the  a 9th  of  No* 
vember,  at  night,  a  Coromantin,  named  6lackwall»    belonging  to 
W  hitehall  ^plantation,  who  had  been  tried  formerly  on  fufptcion  of 
being  concerned  in  the  rebellion  of  1760,  and  acquitted  for  want  of 
fufficient  evidence,  having  previoufly  feduced  to  his  party  nine  Coro« 
mantins  on  the  iame  eftate,  but  a  little  before  imported  from  Africa 
Jfet  fire  to  the  works  and  trafli-houfes*  with  a  view  to  decoy  the  over-^ 
fcer,  and  other  white  perfons  there,  from  their  beds,,  to  extinguifli  it  ? 
and  then,  to  cut  off  their  retreat  fo  the  dwelling-houfe,  fecure  the 
arms  lodged  there*  c  and  proceed  to  murthcr  them>  witliout  fear  ^ 
reiiiiance. 

Upon  the  firft  alarm  of  fire,  the  overfeer  and  white  fervants  re- 
paired to  the  wwks,  a^  had  been  fbrefeen ;  whe^e  they  met  with  Bkck-- 
wall  (who  held  a  poft  of  {omt  authority  on  the  eftate)^  bemoaning; 
the  fad  accident,  and  (hewing  great  alcrtnefe  in  fetching  water  to  ta^^- . 
ply  the  Whitb,  whom  he  advifed  to  get  apon  the  roofs,  wher^  they 
Vbi^  IL  O  o  H>  might  ^ 


^66  J    A    M    A    I    C.  A. 

xnight  throw  it  on  the  flames  with  the  beft  advantage ;  the  overfcer, 
liot  having  the  fmalleft  diftruft  of  him,  and  wholly  employed  about 
cxtingiiifliing  the  fire,  readily  purfued  his  advice.     In  the  dwelliog- 

holife  were  Mr.  B ,  and  his  filler  Mrs.  B d,  who  had  haftily 

flipped  on  their  cloaths,  and  were  ftanding  in  the  piazza,  at  the  front 
of  the  houfe,  and  looking  towards  the  conflagration  j  when,  all  at 
once,  the  nine  confederates  broke  through  the  back-door,  all  ftark- 
iiaked,   with  the  mofl:  hideous  yells,   and  fliarpened  bills  in  their 

hands ;  Mr.  B was  unfortunately  very  infirm,  and  had  no  chance 

of  efcaping ;  while  therefore  he  turned  to  expoftulate  with  them,  they 
forrounded  and  hacked  him  into  a  thoufand  pieces •  The  pleafure  they 
enjoyed  in  mangling  the  body  of  this  unhappy  gentleman  (who  had 
only  lodged  here,  by  accident,  in  his  way  to  Spanifli  Town)  afforded 
Mrs.  B d  an  opportunity  to  jump  out  of  the  piazza,  and  run  to- 
wards the  bottom  of  the  hill  on  which  the  houfe  ftood  ;  but,  before  flie 
could  reach  fo  far,  fhe  fell  down ;  in  this  fitu^tion  (he  was  feen  by 
two  faithful  Negroe  men,  her  domefiics,  who  flew  to  her  afiiftance  ; 
upon  their  coming  up  to  her,  fhe  concluded  no  lefs  than  that  (he  was 
fri  the  hands  of  the  rebels,  and  deftined  for  immediate  butchery  ;  but, 
wbilift  (he  was  imploririg  for  mercy,  the  fervants  feized  her  in  their 
arms,  and,  with  great  prefence  of  mind,  haftened  with  her  as  faft  as 
they  could  to  the  fide  of  a  neighbouring  river,  where  they  concealed 
her  amongft  the  fedge  and  grafs,  that  grew  verv  thick,  injbining  her 
to  lie  clofe,  v^hllfl:  they  were  gone  to. look  for  more  affift^nde.  The 
rebels,  ih  the  mean  time,  difpatched  another  gentlethan,  who,  upon, 
the  cry  of  fire,  had  come  from  the  next  eftate,  arid  fel]  into  their 
cltrthces.     But  the  overfeer,  and  other  Whites,  on  hearing  the  groans 

of  Mr.  B ,   and  the  (hotits  of  his  murtherers,   fled  to  Ballard*s 

Valley,  which  efiate  joins  Whitehall ;  where  they  called  up  the  white 
liien  to  fecure  tbemfelves,  and  prepare  For  their  defence.  Tte' flames, 
which  were  feen  at  a  great  diftani^,  ferved  as  a  fignal  to  other  con* 
fpirators ;  fo  that  their  number  was  how  augmented  to  fifty  or  (ixty ; 
who,  with  the  mofl:  horrid  acclamations,  (having  got  poifefliori  of  all 
the  arms  at  Whitehall,  with  powder  and  bi^U)'began  their  march,,  paf- 

fed  clofe  by  the  place  of  Mrs.  B^ d's  concealment,  without  perceiving 

her,  and  proceeded  on  tQ  Ballard^s  Valley.  When  they  were  got  to 
9  fuflScient  diflance,  one  of  her  trufly  fervants  returned^  wijtb  great 

^cautbn> 


BOOK'ia    CHAP.  in.  4d^ 

r 

caution,  to  the  ftable,  where,  finding  a  horfe,  he  fixed  en  a  pillion, 
and,  coming  to  his  miftrefs,  carried  her  through  bye-ways  to  another 
cftate,  and  brought  to  the  white  people  there  the  firft  intelligence  of 
what  had  happened.  Confidering  the  great  danger  to  which  that  lady 
was  expofed,  and  that  the  moft  trifling  rioife,  at  the  time  when  the 
rebels  pafled  her  retreat,  might  have  betrayed  it,  her  efcape  appears 
almofl:  miraculous ;  and  it  feems  as  if  the  hand  of  Providence  had  in<- 
terpofcd,  to  proteft  her  life,  and  make  her  two  fervants  the  inftruments 
of  prefervation,  whofe  fidelity  and  addrefs  cannot  be  too  highly  ex^ 
tolled.  The  rebels,  being  arrived  at  the  valley,  laid  clofe  fiege  to  the 
ovcrfeer*3  houfe,  which  was  garrifoned  with  about  ten  white  men^ 
This  houfe  was  erefled  upon  a  flone  foundation,  raifed  fome  height 
from  the  ground,  and  furniflied  with  loop-holes.  The  little  garrilbn 
made  proper  difpofitions  for  defence,  and  placed  fome  of  their  party  at 
the  loop-holes  below.  The  rebels  were  joined  by  feveral  of  theif 
countrymen  on  this  eftate ;  and,  furrounding  the  houfe,  began  to  ufe 
the  moft  infulting  language  in  their  power,  to  provoke  the  Whites  to 
come  forth,  that  they  might  enjoy  the  fatisfaftion  of  killing  them ;  but 
finding  this  ineffedual,  they  prepared  for  burning  the  houfe  about  thei^ 
ears;  for  this  purpofe  they  collefled  a  parcel  of  dry  trafh,  which  they 
faftened  to  the  extremity  of  a  long  pole,  and  one  of  their  leaders  fet* 
ting  his  back  to  a  loop-hole,  kindled  the  traQi,  and  applied  it  to  the 
wood-work  of  the  roof.  At  that  infiant  he  was  perceived  by  one  of 
the  centries  pofled  below,  who  difchargcd  his  piece  at  him ;  the  ball 
ftf  uck  againfl  the  lock  of  a  gun,  which  the  rebel  had  in  his  hand,  and 
recoiling  into  his  body,  killed  him  upon  the  fpot.  His  fall  threw  the 
rcfl  of  the  confpirators  into  difmay,  for  he  was  one  of  their  chiefs  j 
upon  which  the  garrifon,  taking  advantage  of  their  fufpence,  fallied 
out  witli  great  fpirit,  killed  two  or  three,  and  difperfcd  the  reft,  who 
immediately  fled  into  the  woods.  Blackwall,  the  principal  of  the 
gang,  finding  how  matters  were  likely  to  end,  detached  himfelf  from 
his  brethren,  and  a  few  hours  afterwards  prcfented  himfelf  before  his 
overfeer  in  feeming  terror,  pretending  he  had  narrowly  cfcaped  being 
put  to  death  by  his  countrymen  ;  to  avoid  whofe  fury,  he  had  crawled 
into  a  cane-piece,  and  there  hid  himfelf  till  that  inflant.  Parties  were 
fpccdily  coUefted,  who  purfued  the  rebels  into  the  woods,  and  reduced 
tbem  with  but  little  difficulty. 

O  o  o  2  Sufpiclott 


4«S  JAMAICA. 

Sufpicions  aiific^^  that  this  coufptsacy  was  more  extehfive  tbaiir  a^ 
ird  appeared^  and  upon  rccoUeAion  that  there  bad  been  a  merr^ 
•leetii^  of  the  Negroes   at  Ballard's  Valley  two  nights  [^receding: 
the  infurreftion,  and  that  the  Coromantkis  had  feparated  frocn  thert^^ 
a  ftrift  inquiry  was  entered  into;  and  upon  examining  feme  Cocoman-^ 
tins,  who  were  moft  fufpefted,  they  impeached  feveral  of  their  coun- 
trymen; frcfh  evidences  produced  further  difcoveries,  and.  at  length 
the  plot  was  partly  unraveled*     It  appeared  that  the  Coromantins  on 
so  lefs  than  feventeen  eftates  in  that  parifh  were  engaged  in  the  con«« 
federacy;  th^t  Blackwall  was  the  principal  infiigator;;  anqthat  the 
premature  rifing  at  Whitehall  was  owing  to  the  impetuoiity  of  one 
Quamin^  belonging  to  their  gang,  who  would  not  wait  the  appointed 
time  ;  fo  that  it  is  probable,  if  they  had  not  met  a  repulfe  foon  afteo  their 
firft  outrage,,  the  infurre£lion  would  have  been  general,  from  the  en- 
Qouragement  their  better  fuccefs  would  have  given  to  the  re(l  of  the  con* 
fpirators.  Some  among  them  regretted  exceedingly  the  precipitate  eager* 
"  nefs  of  Quamin,  and  threw  out  infinuations  that  the  Marons  were  in  the 
ftcret^  and  that  the  infurredion  was  intended  to  have  opened  at  once  in 
three  different  places,  at  a  certain  day  foon  afiter  Chrtftmas ;  that  three 
days  previous  notice  was  to  be  given  of  the  exaA  hour  of  rifing ;  and 
as  they  hoped  to  find  the  white  people  off  their  guard,  and  to  get  pof« 
&flion  of  fulficient  arms  and  powder,  in  the  feverat  dwelling*boufeSy 
they  had  full  confidence,  that,  by  their  precautions,  and  ihctecjf,  they 
fiiould  carry  all  before  them,  and  make  amends  fbr  their  former  dif« 
appointment  i  they  knew,,  that  a  large  ftock  of  fire  arms  and  ammnr 
tion  would  be  abfblutely  neceflary ;  one  of  their  firft  attempts  there* 
fore  was  to  be,  the  furpriac  of  the  fort  at  Port  Maria,  which  was 
garrifoned  by  only  a  fmatl  number  of  fickly  foldicrs,  whom  they  iiip* 
pofed  incapable  of  making  any  refifitance ;  thefe  they  were  to  drive 
into  tlie  fea  with  their  bill-hooks,  and  then  proceed  to  maflacre  all  ^ 
Whites  in  that  neighbourhood.  A  fecond  party  were  to  ravage  the £afi«- 
efn  quarter  of  the  parifhj  quite  down  to  the  very  coaff  ;  wbilfi^  a  third 
band  (hould  take  their  route  through  the  Sawthcrn  diftridr  and  pe- 
netrate by  the  woods  to  Sixteen-mife-walk,  where  they  pi^tended 
to  have  feveral  aflbciates  in  readinefs  -,  then,  uniting  their  forces^  tfaey 
were  to  flaughter,  or  force  the  white  inhabitaijits  to  take  refuge  on 
board  the  fhips,  after  which  they  were  to  divide  the  conquemed  couti* 
4  try 


EOOK  in.    CHAP.  ni.  469 

■ 

try  with  the  Marons^  who,  they  alledged,  had  made  choice  oi  the  woody 
tinculttv^ated  parts,,  as  being  moft  convenient  for  their  hog-^h anting ; 
the  Coromantins  were  to  enjoy  all  the  remainder,  with  the  cattle  and 
iheep^  and  live  like  gentlemen ;  at  leaft  they  flattered  themfelves,  that 
the  governor  would  apply  to  the  king  of  the  white  men,  to  put  the 
Coromantins  upon  the  fame  eftablifliment  as  the  Marons^  who,  tbe;^^ 
§gaAy  were  dlfgufted  at  the  little  refpe£^  ihewn  them,  and  wanted  the 
Coromantins  to  be  incorporated  with  them,  in  order  to  become  of  moNit/ 
confequcnce  in  the  eyes  of  the  white  inhabitants. 

This  account  of  the  defeAion  c>f  the  Marions  was  fo  itiiprobablcf^ , 
that  the  white  people  would  not  give  any  credit  to  it :  ia  the .  firft  r 
place,  it  appeared  not  at  all  likely  that  the  Maronsj  who  had  always! 
feceived  the  higheft  encouragement  from  the  legiflature  .and  .private  ^ 
perfons,  would  hazard  the  lofs  of  their  liberty  and  lives,  by  a  trea-* 
ibnable  breach  of  the  treaty ;  ,and  -upon  the  uncertain  iffue  of  an  in-  . 
ftftine  war,  by  the  event  of  which,  if  fuccefsful  to  them,,  they  could  • 
gain  nothing  more  than  what  they  already  1  enjoyed ;  fecondly,  they 
Were  to  admit  a  dangefous.fet  of  confederates,  diftind  in  interefl,  and  < 
fapcrior  to  them  in  number,  .by  twenty  to  one,  who  would  undoubt-^ 
<dly  givie  the  law  to,  .and  hold  them  in  pcrpetu^fl  fubjeflion.  .  Th*. 
Aory  was  therefore  fuppofed  to  be  either  the  refult  of  a  detp^ laid  policy,  , 
toy  ftir  up  a  jcalbiify  anddifference.  between  the  Marons  and  whif6, 
people^  .from  which  fome  advantage  might  accrue  to  the  Coroman- 
tins in  fome  future  infurre£Uon  ;  or  elfe,  if  the  Marans  did  really  af^ 
Ibciate  in  any  fuch  plan j  they  muft  have  done  fo,  from  a  wicked  dtfw . 
fign  of  embrbiling  the  Coromantins  in. frefh  rebellion,  in  the  fuppreC-  ^ 
flon  of  which  they  might  reap  a  confiderable  emolument,  as  they , 
bad  heretofore  experienced^  by  killing  or  taking  prifoners.     Something 
like  fiTch  a  projeft  ufed  to  engage  the  frontier  Indians  in  Notth  Ame- 
rica, who  were  never  fo  happy  as. when  the  French  and  Englifii  were 
at  wair,  becaufe  they  were  fure  of  employment  and  reward,  on  one 
fide  of  Other;  amd  ftr  this  reafon  alone,  many  of  their  tribes  were 
exceedingly  out  of  humour  with  the  laft  treaty  of  peace,  which  gave 
the  fini(hing  blow  to  thefe  contentions  for  the  riiaftery,  and  to  their  . 
mercenary  artific;es.     II  therefore  the  Marons  had  any  concern  in  the 
plot,  it  is  moft  rcafonable  to  believe  that  fuch  muft  have  been  their' 
true  defign^    The  iihpoftance  of  this  evidence  naturally  made  the 

pi^riftionersh  - 


470  JAMAICA. 

patifliioners  defirous  of  examining  ftill  further,  in  order  to  get  addi- 
tional lights,  and  guiird  themfelves  againft  a  repetition  of  thefc  horrid 
attempts,  which  it  appeared  they  had  juft  grounds  to  apprehend  ;  but 
ithe  number-of  their  militia  was  fo  inconfiderable,  that,  after  providing 
the  proper  guards  for  the  difFt^rent  eftates  moft  expofcd  to  danger, 
they  had  fo  few  ieft  to  take  charge  of  theNegroe  prifoners,  that  the  latter 
were  treble  their  number ;  fo  that  the  magiftrates,  whilft  they  were 
fitting  on  the  trial  of  the  rebels,  were  not  without  fear  for  their  own 
fafety,  as  they  had  no  proteftion  againft  any  fudden  infurreftlon  made 
in  favour  of  the  prifoners;  and,  from  the  teftimony  already  given,  it 
was  certain,  that  a  very  confiderable  body  of  the  Coromantins  had  en- 
lifted  in  the  conf  jiracy,  befides  thofe  who  were  in  cuftody.  Remon- 
ilrances  were  repeatedly  made  upon  this  head,  and  the  expediency 
ilated  of  fending  round  a  (hip  of  war  to  Port  Maria,  as  had  been  done 
in  the  former  nbcllion,  to  receive  the  prifoners,  there  being  no  gaol 
in  the  parifli,  and  only  eighteen  foldiers  at  the  fort,  who  were  in  too 
feeble  a  condition  to  render  them  any  fcrvice.  At  this  time,  there 
were  no  Icfs  than  four  companies  quartered  in  Spanifli  town,  befides 
what  lay  in  the  different  forts  iidjacent,  lb  that  it  was  thought  a  detach- 
ment might  very  well  have  been  fparcd ;  but  the  commaAder  of  the 
fquadron  fent  no  fhip,  nor  was  a  iingle  man  detached  to  reinforce  the 
pariihioners,  who  were  therefore  left  to  take  care  of  tbem(elves;  and, 
defifting  from  further  examination,  through  a  regard  to  their  own 
imminent  danger,  what  remained  to  be  known  of  this  black  affair 
was  fmothered  at  once,  to  the  no  fmall  joy  of  the  confpirators  [^]. 

A  committee  of  the  aflembly,  appointed  fo  enquire  into  the  rife 
and  progrefs  of  this  rebellion  fome  time  afterwards,  r.eported.  That  it 
had  originated  (like  moft  or  all  the  others  that  had  occurred  in  the 
iQand)  with  the  Coromantins ;  whofe  turbulent,  favage,  and  martial 
temper  was  well  known : 

That  their  outrages  had  tended  very  much  to  difcourage  the  ef- 
feftual  fettlement  oftheifland;  and,  as  a  remedy  In  futnire,  they  poh- 
pofed  ^*  that  a  bill  (hould  be  brouglit  in  for  laying  an  additional  higher 
*<  duty  upon  all  Fantin,  Akim,  and  Afhantee  Negroes,  and  all  others 
'^  commonly  called  Coromantins,  that  ihould,  after  a  certain  time,  be 
*^^  imported,  and  fold  in  the  ifland." 

£^]  Thirteen  were  executed,  thirty-three  traniportcd,  and  twelve  acquitiei 

Such 


BOOK  III.    CHAP.  III.  47t 

Such  a  bill j  if  paffed  into  a  law,  would  doubtlefs  have  ftruck  at  the 
very  root  of  the  evil ;  for,  by  laying  a  duty  equal  to  a  prohibition,  no- 
inore  Coromantins  would  have  been  brought  to  infeft  this  country ; 
but,  inftead .  of  their  ikvage  race*,  the  ifland  would  have  been  fupplied 
with  Blacks  of  a  more  docile,  tractable  difpoiition,  and  better  inclined, 
to  peace  and  agriculture ;  fo  that^  in  a  few  years,  the  ifland  might  In  alL 
likelihood  have   been   effedually  freed  of  aU  fuch  dangerous  combi'r 
nations.     Whether  the  conceit  of  fonie  few  planters,  in  regard  to  the/ 
fuperior  flrength  of  the  Coromantins,  and  greater  bardinefs  to  fupport 
field  labour,  ought,  to  outweigh  the  public  tranquillity  and  fafety,  or 
ihould  be  thought  to  atane  for  the  blood  of  murtbered  white  inhabi-r 
tents,  the  ruin  of  others,  the  defolation  of  eflates,.  and  the    into^ 
lerable,  charges,  of.  taxatiooi  thereby  thrown  upon  the  public,  not  to 
fpeakof  the  obftruflion  of  all  trade  and  bufinefs  during  the  martiaL 
law,  muft .  be  Iqft  to  the  ferious  confideration  of  a  difpaffionate  legifla-, 
ture ;  the  fuppr^ffipn  of  i  the  Coromantins,  in  1 760  and  1 761,  cofl  the 
iO^nd  i5>ooo./.   .  I,haverbefore.eftimated  the  expence  of  making  good, 
lofles  fuftalQC^,  Gfc.  at.ioo,oop/. ;  and  the  erecting  of  parochial  bar- 
racks,.in  CQnfequence  of  that,  infu^re£tion,.  coft  as  mjach  more.     In  the 
whole,  the   ifland  expendied  not  much  Icfs  on  that  account  than  ap-, 
ppars  from  the  earli^ft , accounts  to  have  been  difburl'ed  on  the  reduc- 
tion of  the  Marons ;  Jor ^hi?  was  no  more  than  249,000/. 
.   No  bill  .however  was^  pafled, ,  the  raeafure  was  oppofed,  .and  it 
dropped; ,  but  the  firft, fruits  of,  this  oppofition  .butfl .  fortli  the  very 
next  year  ( 17^6),  in  a.frefli}lifturbance>  that  .happened  on  a. gentle- 
man's eftatQ.in  Wedmoreland.;  where  tliirty- three. Cproman tins  (for. 
no  other  wqre   concerned),  moft  of  whom  had  been  newly  import- 
ed, fuddenly   rofe,  and,  in   the   fpace  of  an  hour,  murthered,  and. 
wounded,  no.lefs  than  nineteen  white  perfons;,  but  they  were  foon 
defeated^  fome  killed,  and  thq  remainder  executed  or  tr^nfported.  So\ 
that  the  owner  fuftained.a  very.cpnfiderable.lofs,  iuid.would.him- 
felf  have  fallen  a  facrifice,  had  he  bceaon  the.eftate  ;  for.  they  entered 
his  de welling -houfe,  and  hacked  every  thing  they  found  in  it  to  pieces. 
If  fuch  reiterated  examples  will  not  convince  men  of  .their,  errors,  we  .. 
muft  fay,  with  an  old  Latin  author,  .that, 

.  ,  •  i 

^os  Deus  vult  per  dire,  prius  dement  at*  . 

It: 


J47^  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

It  is  worthy  our  remark,  that  the  rhigleaders  of  the  St.  Mary^s 

.rebellion,  m  1760,  belonged  to  a  gentleman  diiUnguilhed  for  hi9 

humanity,  and  excelli ve  indulgence  towards  his  flaves  in  general,  and 

-thofe  in  particular ;  his  lenity  fo  far  influenced  him,  that,  upon  their 

vComplai^lt,  he  never  iiii led  todifcharge  their  overfeer,  and  employ 

,mTother  more  agreeable  to  them.     No  pretence  of  ill  ufage  was 

.  alledgeid  by  any  of  the  prifoners,  in  any  of  thefe  infurreftions,  by 

way  of  extenuating  their  mifconduft;  the  fole  ground,  and  object  of 

Jtheir  taking  arms,  as  they  unanlmoujly  concurred  in  acknowledging, 

was,  the   vain-glorious   defire  of  fubdying  theqoqntry;   and  they 

wanted  neither  ambition  nor  felf-confidence,  to  doubt  their  ability, 

.or  fuccefa,  in  accomplifhing  this  project.     It  muftbe  allowed,  that 

yconfpiracies    fo   extenfive   could    not  have   been   conceived,    me* 

tthodized,  and  concluded  upon,  without  various  meetings  of  die 

^oi>(pirators,  in  different  parts  of  the  ifland  ;  and  hence,  there  muft 

.appear  to  have  been  a  very  culpable  inattention  among   the  white 

inhabitants,  who  ncgleded  to  keep  a  vigilant  eye  over  the Cctroman- 

-tins  in   general,  during  tlieir  hours  of  leifure  or  recreation ;  for  a 

ieafbnabie  regard  to  their  private  cabals    and  (eparate  afibci^ioos 

might  have  proved  the  means  of  detefting  their  plot,  long  before  k 

was  ripe  for  execution;  and  to  prevent,  is  always  bette^t  as  well  at 

-eafier,  than   to  remedy  fuch  evils.     They  ihoold  remember  the 

xlying  word«  of  one  of  the  Coromantins  executed  in   1765,  wha 

repented  his  having  been  conc^ned  in  the  rebellion,  aad  cautioned 

^he  white  perfons  prefent,  *«  never  to  tnift  any  of  his  countrymen.*^ 

Much  having  been  faid  of  this  clafs  of  Negroes,  who  have  iinkeii 

3)een  the  heroes  of  my  tale,   it  may  not  be  unacceptable  to  give  fome 

jiccount  of  their  origin,  and  qualities. 

The  Negroes  whopafs  under  this  general  defcription  iare  brought 
tfirona  the  Gold  coaft;  but  we  remain  uncertaia,  whether  they  are 
aiatives  of  that  *rad  of  Guiney^  or  receive  their  feveral  names  of 
Akims,  Fantinfi,  Alhantees,  Quamboos,  &r.  from  the  towns  {» 
.called,  at  whofe  markets  they  are  bought.  That  difl:ri6t  is  populus 
and  ejfttenfive ;  and  may  ^therefore  afford  a  confiderahle  number  of  cri- 
fninalfi  every  yjcar  for  tranfportation ;  however,  whether  they  are 
brought  from  feme  diftance  inland,  or  arethe  rcfufe  and  outcaft  of  the 
feveral  provinces  whofe  names  they  bear;  it  is  certain  they  are  marked 

with 


BOOK    III.    CHAP.    IH.  47J 

with  thqfamc  charaders,  wliicb  authors  have  given  to  the  natives  of 
this  part,  who  are  faid  to  bt  the  moft  turbulent  and  deiperate  of  any 
on  the  tx>aft  of  Guincy ;  and  tbatj  wete  it  pot  for  their  civil  divifions,. 
they  \vquld  bec€ime  dangerous  nejglibours  to  all  the  furrounding 
ftates.  Bofman  fays^  **  thiey  are  bold,  Jaar^y,  and  ftick  at  nothing, 
♦*  where  revebge  or  intereft  is  cooperned  ;  they  are  lazy,  rapacious, 
**  cunning,  and  deceitfiil;  much  addiiSted  to  theft,  drunkennefs, 
«*  gluttojiy,  lying,  flattery,  and  luft ;  vain  and  haughty  in  their 
*«  carriagjsj  envious  and  joDialicious  in  che  higheft  degree,  diffembling 
♦<  tbeir  rcfentiaiicnts,  for  many  rywrs,  vntii  a  fit  opportunity  offers  of 
«^  gratifying  tbicir  thirft  of  revenge }  thejr  iju;e  the  mpft  treacherous 
**  villains,"  and  <}onfu;»mate  fen?ives,  yet  knowu,on  that  continent." 

War  and  contention  are  their  favourite  amufements.;  inured  very 
early  to  the  pfe  of  fire  arms,  they  ftre  ;g9od  markfraenj  they  go 
fraked,  and  'their  bodies  by -tliis  means  acquire  a  furprizing  degree 
of  hflrdiildkj  and  ability 'to  undergo  fatlgpjsj.  but  they  have  an  invin- 
cible averfion*  to  every  kind  of  labour,  and  particularly  agriculture^ 
wliicli  they  leave  to  their  women.  Tbeii:  priefts,  ox  obeiah^menj 
are  Aieir  chief  oracles  in  all  weighty  affairs,  whether  of  peace,  war, 
or  the  purfuit  of  revenge.  When  aileaibled  for  the  purpofes  of  con- 
fpiracy,  the  obeiah-^man,  after  varicMb  cereaiDnies,  draws  a  little 
blood  from  ctery  oneprcfent ;  this  is  ilnixed  in  a  bowl  with  gunpow- 
dtr  and  grdve  dirt ;  the  fetifhe  or  oath. is  adminiflered,  by  which 
•hey  (blemnly  pledge  themfelves  ito  inviolable  fecrecy,  fidelity  to 
their  chiefs,  and  to  wage  perpetual  war  againft  their  enemies ;  as  a 
ratification  of  their  fincerity,  each  pcrfon  takes  a  fup  of  the  mixture^ 
and  this  finifliefe  the  folemn  rite.  Few  or  none  of  them  have  ever 
been  known  to  violate  this  oath,  or  to  defift  from  the  full  execution 
of  it,  even  although  feveral  years  may  intervene.  If  defeated  in 
tlitir  firft  endeavours,  -they  ftill  retain  the  foircitude  of  fulfilling  all 
that  they  have  fworn  ;  diffembling  their  malice  under  a  feeming 
lubmiffive  carriage,  and  all  the  exterior  figns  of  innocence  and 
che^rfulnefs,  until  the  convenient  time  arrives,  when  they  think'  it 
prafticable  to  retrieve  their  former  mifcarriage.  If  at  length  their 
fccret  defigns  are  brought  to  light,  and  that  hypocrify  can  no  longer 
ferve  their  turn,  they  cither  lay  violent  hands  on  themfelves,  orrefift. 
till  they  are  difabled. 

Vol.  II..  P  p  p  To 


474  JAMAICA. 

To  their  other  illaudable  qaalities,  they  add  thofe  of  ingratitude, 
and  implacable  anger.  Not  the  mildeft  treatment,  the  moft  cou- 
defcending  indulgence,  tan  make  the  fmalleft  impreflion  upon  them^ 
Gdnciliate  their  friendfhip,  or  divert  their  avidity  for  revenge,  after 
they  have  received  what  they  think  an  injury;  they  are  utterly  inca- 
pable of  forgetting  or  forgiving  ;  the  higheft  marks  of  favour  pro- 
duce in  them  no  fenfe  of  obligation  or  gratitude.  Prompted  by  thefe 
qualifications,  and  this  infernal  difpoiition,  they  are  always  foremoft 
in  plotting,  and  heading  mutinies;  and  the  fame  caufes  generating 
the  fame  invariable  effe(9:s,  there  is  no  doubt  but  they  will  ever 
fupport  an  omiformity  of  charadler,  and  be  found,  by  repeated  ex- 
perience, the  moft  unruly,  infoknt,  ftubborn,  and  difafFc6ted  fet 
of  labourers,  that  can  poffibly  be  introduced  upon  our  plantations. 

Their  language  is  copious,  and  more  regular  than  any  other  of  the 
Negroe  dialedts ;  their  roufic  too  is  livelier,  and  their  dances  eptirely 
martiil,  in  which  they  refemble  the  North  Americans ;  like  them  too 
they  defpife  death  (more  through  ftupidity  than  fortitude),  and  can 
fmile  in  agony  [^].  Their  perfons  are  well  made,  and  their  features 
very  different  from  the  reft  of  the  African  Negroes,  being  fmailer, 
and  more  of  the  European  turn.  Their  dances  ferve  to  keep  alive 
that  military  fpirit,  for  which  they  are-fo.  diftinguifhed;  and  the 
figure  confifts  in  throwing  themfelves  into  all  the  poiitions  and 
attitudes,  cuftomary  to  them  in  the  heat  of  an  engagements  Is  it 
not  then  a  very  injudicious  and  impolitic  obftinacy  in  the  planters, 
who  perfift,  in  .defiance  of  reafon  and  experience,  to  admit  thefe 
dangerous  Ipirlts  among  them?  Nature  does  not  inftruft  the 
farmer  to  yoke  tigers  vin  his  team,  or.  plough  with  hyaenas;  (he 
gives  him  the  gentle  fteed,  and  patient  ox :  but  it  would  be  no  left 
abfurd  for  him  to  make  ufe  of  wild  hearts  for  thefe  purpofes,  than  4t 
is  for  the  planter  fo  vainly  to  attempt  the  taming  of  fuch  favage* 
minds  to  peaceful  indullry,  and  humble  fubmiflion  to  his  authority. 
But,  if  he  will  perverfely  continue  to  employ  them,  fome  effedual* 
regulations  ought  to  be  provided,  in  order  to  break  that  fpirit  of  con- 

_  « 

[f]  Barbarians  ak^ays  die  without  regret :  what  attachment  have  they  to  life  ?  They  feci  not  the 
pleafurcs  of  focict)',  the  ties  of  atFecTion,  orofnafute;  their  facuhies  are  in  fuch  a  perpetttal-ftate 
vof .  infancy,  that  the  fpace  beiween  their  binh  and  death  is  feared/  perceptible. 

Volcjiire,  LcsSauvagesd'Europc 

fedcracy. 


BOOK    IIL    CHAP.    IIL  475 

ifederacy,  which  keeps  thefe  Negroes  too  clofely  affociated  with  one 
another.     On  many  eftates,  they  do  not  mix  at  all  with  the  other 
flavesy  but  build  their  houfes  diflinft  from  the  reft ;  and,  herding 
together,  are  left  more  at  liberty  to   hold   their  dangerous  cabals, 
without  interruption.    Their  houfes  ought  to  be  intermixed  with  the 
reft,  and  kept  divided  from  one  another,  by  interpofing  thofe  of  the 
other  Negroes,  who  by  this  means  would  become  continual  fpies 
upon  their  conduft.     A  particular  attention  fhould  alfo  be  had  to 
thtirplaysy  for  thefe  have  always  been  their  rendezvous  for  hatching 
pIot$,  more  efpecially  whenever  on  fuch  occafions  any  unufual  refort 
is  obiervcd.  of  their  countrymen  from  other  plantations ;  and   very 
particular   fearch.  (hould  be  made    after  their   obeiah-men,    who, 
whenever  deteded,  (hould  be  tran {ported  without   mercy.      The 
employers  of  this  deteftable  race  owe  thefe  cautions   at  leaft  to  tho 
public,  v/ho  have  fufFered  fo  much    in  times   paft  from  the  total 
negle(^  of  them.     From  the  foregoing  detail,  which  I  have  given 
upon  the  moft  credible  and  authentic  teftimonies  in  my  power  to 
procure,  every  candid  perfon  may  judge,  with  how  little  regard  to 
truth  the  iufurredlions,  that  have  happened  in  Jamaica,  are  afcribed 
to  extraordinary  cruelties  ex^rcifed  over  the  flaves  in  that  ifland  ;  I 
think  it  will  appear  from  inconteftable  proofs,  that  fo  impudent  a 
calumny  could  have  no  other  foundation  than  malevolence,  com* 
plicated  with  ignorance. 

G   H    A    P.      IV. 

FRANCIS   WILLIAMS. 

I  Have  forborne  till  now  to  introduce  upon  the  ftage  a  perfonage,. 
who  made  a  confpicuous  figure  in  this  ifland,  and  even  attrafted 
the  notice  of  many  in  England.  With  the  impartiality  that  be- 
comes* me,  I  {hall  endeavour  to  do  him  all  pofliblejuftice;  and  fhall 
teave  it  to  the  readers^opinion,.  whether  what  they  fliall  dilcoverof 
his  genius  and  intelleft  will  be  fufficient  to  overthrow  the  argu- 
ments, 1  have  before  alledgcd,  to  prove  an  inferiority  of  the  Negroes 
to  the  race  of  white  men.  It  will  by  this  time  bf  difcovercd,  that  I 
alhjde  to  Francis  IViUiams,  a  nativd  of  this  ifland,  and  fon  to  John 
rfnd  Dorothy  Williams,,  fcee  Negroes.     Francis  was^the  youngelt  06 

P  p  p  a  three 


.  / 


476  J     A    M    A    I   ^C    A/ 

three  fons,  and,  being  a  bay  of  uuufoal  lively  parts,  Was  pitched 
upon  to  Le  the  lubje£l  of  an  experimeiH,  which,  it  is  faid,  the  Duke 
of  MoiTta-gu  was  curious  to  make,  in  order  to  difcover,  whether,  by 
proper  cultivation,  and  a  regular  courfe  of  tuition  at  fchool  and  tho 
univerfity,  a  Negroe  might  not  be  found  as  capable  of  literature  as  a 
white  perfon.  In  fbort,  he  was  fent  to  England,  where  he  under- 
went a  regular  difcipline  of  claffic  inftrudtion  at  a  grammar  fchool, 
after  which  he  was  fixed  at  the  univerfity  of  Cambridge,  where 
he  ftudied  under  the  ableft  preceptors,  and  made  fame  progrefs  in  the 
mathematics.  During  his  abode  in  England,  after  finifhing  his  edu- 
cation, it  is  faid  (I  know  not  with  what  truth)  tWathe  compofed 
the  welKknown  ballad  of  "  Welcome,  welcome,  brotlier debtor, fij^c.'* 
But  I  have  like  wife  heard  the  fame  attributed  fcaa  different  author. 
Upon  his  return  to  Jamaica,  the  duke  would  fain  have  tried  his 
tgenius  likewife  in  politics,  aiKl  intended  obtaining  for  him  a  privy 
feal,  or  appointment  to  be  one  of  the  governor's  council;  but  this 
fcheme  was  dropped,  upon  the  objeftibns  offered  by  Mr.  Trelawny, 
the  governor  at  that  time.  Williams  therefc^re  fet  up  a  fohool  in 
Spanifh  Town,  which  he  coiUinued  for  feveral  years,  where  he  taught 
•readmg,  writing,  Latin,  and  the  elements  of  the  mathemitics ; 
^vhilft  he  afted  in  this  profefiion,  he  fele^ed  a  Negroe  pupil,  whom 
he  trained  up  with  particular  care,  intending  to  make  him  his  fuc- 
ceflbr  in  the  fchool ;  but  of  this  youth  it  may  befaid,  to  u/e  the  ex- 
preffion  of  Feftus  to  Paul,  that  «  much  learning  made  him  mad/' 
The  abftrufe  problems  of  mathertiatical  inflitution  turned  his  brain  ; 
-and  he  flill  remains,  I  believe,  an  unfortunate  example,  to  (hew 
that  every  African  head  is  not  adapted  by  nature  to  fuch  profound 
•contemplations.  The  chief  pride  of  this  difciple  confifts  in  imitating 
the  garb  and  and  deportment  of  his  tutor.  A  tye  perriwig,  a  fword, 
and  ruffled  fhirt,  feem  in  his  opinion  to  comprehend  the  very  marrow 
^nd  quintefTence  of  all  erudition,  and  philofophic  dignity.  Probably 
lie  imagines  it  amoreeafy  way  of  acquiring,  among  the  Negroes,  the 
reputation  of  a  great  fcholar,  by  thefe  fuperficial  marks,  which 
catch  their  eye,  than  by  talking  of  Euclid,  whom  they  know 
nothing  about. 

Confidering  the  difference  which  climate  may  occafion,  and  which 
iMontefquieu  has  learnedly  examined,  the  noble  duke  would  have 

2  made 


BOOK   III.     CHAR   IV.  477 

made  the  experiment  more  fairly  on  a  native  xA^frican  ;  perhaps  toq 
the  Northern  air  imparted  a  tone  and  vigour  to  his  organs.,  of  wl>ipl^ 
they  never  could  buye  been  fufceptible  in  a  liot  climate;  the  author. 
I  have  menti.oned  will  not  allow,  that  in  hot  climates  there  is  any 
force  or  vigor  of  mind  neceflary  for  human  a6lion,  '*  there  is  (fay^ 
«*  he)  no  curiofity,  no  noble  enterprize,  no  generous  fentimeut." 
,  The  climate  of  Jamaica  is  temperate,  and  even  cool,  compared  iviijj, 
npjaijy  parts  of  Guiney  ;  and  the  Creole  Blacks  have  undeniably  more 
icutonefs  wd  better  wader  (landings  than  the  natives  of  Guiney.  Mr, 
Jitime,  who  had  heard  of  Williams,  fays  of  him,  «*  In  Jamaica  indeed 
^^  they  talk  of  one  *Negroe  as  a  man  of  parts  and  learning ;  but  'ti^ 
f*  likely  be  is  admired  for  very  flender  ac^omplifliments,  like  a  parrot 
f«  who  fpeaks  5^  feiy  words  pUi^ily.''  And  Mr.  Eftv^ick,  purfuingthe 
hxnet  ideR>  obferv^§,  '*  Although  a  Negroe  is  found  in  Jamaica,  or 
«*  elfewhere,  evfr  fp  feafible  and  acute  §  yet,  if  he  is  iacapable  qf  moral 
«<  fenlatioq^j  pr  p^rwves  them  only  as  beafts  do  %iple  ideas,  without 
«^  the  power  of  combination,  in  order  to  ufe;  it  is  a  msurk  tb^t  diilin- 
><  guiihes  hka  from  the  man  who  feels ,  and  is  capably  of  theie  moral 
^  fenfations,  who  knows  their  applicatioQ,  and  the  purpofes  of  thexx}» 
</  as  fuificiently,  as  be  himfelf  is  diflinguiflied  from  the  highed  fpecit^s 
«>  of  brutes  [i]."     I  do  not  know,  if  the  fpecimen  I  fli^ll  exhibit  of 

.  [d]  The  dLftindion  is  well  i^arked  by  Biihop  Warburton,  in  thefe  words  : 
**  ift,  The  Moral  Sense  :  (is  that)  whereby  we  conceive  and  feel  a  pleafure  in  rigi/j  and  ^ 
*'  diftafte  and  averfion  to  ivrong^  priorto  aU  reflexion  on  their  natures,  or  their  confequences.  .  This 
*^  is  the  firil  inlet  to  the  adequate  idea  ef  morality  \  and  plainly  the  moi^  exten&ve  of  all.  When  in* 
**  ftinckhad  gone  thus  far,  2d,  The  Reasoning  Faculty  improved  upon  its  didtates;  far  ic- 
**  fleiiiing  men,  naturally  led  to  examine  the  foundation  of  this  moral fenfe^  foon  difcovered  that  there 
*^  were  real,  effential  difierences  in  the  qualities  of  human  actions,  eftabliflied  by  nature;  and,  con- 
*'  fequenily,  that  the  love  and  hatred^  excited  by  the  moral fenfe^  were  not  cjipricious  in  their  opera- 
"  tions;  for  that  the  eflcntial  properties  of  their  obje<Eb  had  a  (pecific  difference."  Hence  arofc  <4 
fenfe  of  moral  obligation  in  fpciety,  &c.         Divine  Ijcgation^  <voU  L  /•  37, 

It  is  this  inilinft  which  difcriminates  mankind  from  other  animals  who  have  it  not,  whereas  in 
other  inftin<5Uve  impulfes  all  agree*  But  the  queflioo  is,  whether  all  the  fpecies  of  the  human 
kind  have  this  inftincTive  fenfe  in  equal  degree?  If  the  brutal  inftindls  impel  the  African  toiatisfy 
his  appetites,  to  run  from  danger,  and  the  like;  why  does  he  not  exhibit  equally  the  tokens  of  this 
moral  inftinB^  if  he  really  pofleilcs  it?  would  it  not  infenAbly  have  gained  admittance  into  their 
habits  of  living,  as  well  as  the  other  inftin6ts,  and  have  regulated  and  directed  their  general  man- 
ners? But  we  have  no  other  evidence  of  their  pofleflingit,  than  what  arifes  from  the  vague  conjec- 
tural pofitions,  *•  that  all  men  are  equal,  and  that  the  difparity  between  one  man  and  another,  or 
"  one  race  of  men  and  another,  happens  from  accidental  means,  fuch  as  artificial  refinements,  edu- 
*'  cation,  and  fo  forth,"  Certain  however  it  is,  that  thefe  refinements  mull  neccffarily  take  place, 
where  the  moral  fenfe  and  reafoning  faculty  are  moft  abundant,  and  extenfively  cultivated ;  but 
cannot  happen,  where  they  either  do  not  cxift  at  all,  or,  are  not  diftributed  in  fuch  due  portion,  as 
to  work  the  proper  afcendancy  ova:  the  more  brutal  fpecies  of  imiind* 

his 


478  JAMAICA. 

his  al)ilities  wilU  or  will  not,  be  thought  to  militate  againft  thefe  pa«« 
fitions.     In  regard  to  the  general  charader  of  the  man,  he  was  haughty, 
opinionated,  Booked  down  with  fovereign  contempt  on  his  fellow  Blacks^ 
entertained  the  higheft  opinion  of  his  own  knowledge,  treated  his  pa* 
rents  with  much  difdain,  and  behaved  towards  his  children  and  bis 
flaves  with  a  fe verity  bordering  upon  cruelty ;  he  was  fond  of  having 
great  deference  paid  to  him,  and'  exa<5ted  it  in  the  utmoft  degree  from 
the  Negroes  about  him  r  he  affected  a  fingnlarity  of  drefs,  and  pardcu^ 
larly  grave  cafi:  of  countenance,  to  imprefs  an  idea  of  his  wifdom  and 
learning;  and,  to  fecond  this  view,  he  wore  m  common  a  huge  wig, 
which  made  a  very  venerable  figure.     The  moral  part  of  his  character 
may  be  coUeAed  from  thefe  touches,  as  well  as  the  meafure  of  his  wif- 
dom, on  which,  as  well  as  fome  other  attributes  to  which  he  laid  claim, 
he  had  not  the  modefty  to  be  filent,  whenever  he  met  with  occafion  ta 
expatiate  upon  them.     Of  thb  piece  of  vanity,  there  is  a  very  ftrong 
example  in  the  following  poem,  which  he  presented  to  Mr.  Haldane, 
upon  his  afluming  the  government  of  the  ifland;  he  was  fond  of  this^ 
fpecies  of  compofition  in  Latin,  and  nfually  addreiled  one  to  every  new 
governor.     He  defined  himfelf  **  a  wJbrte  man  afting  under  a  ilacS 
ikin."     He  endeavoured  to  prove  logically,  that  a:  Negroe  was  fupe- 
rior  In  quality  to  a  Mulatto,  or  other  caft.     His  propofition  was,  that 
**  a  fimple  white  or  a  fimple  black  complexion  was  refpeftively  per- 
fed:  but  a  Mulatto,  being  an  heterogeneous  medley  of  both,  was  im- 
perfeft,  ergo  inferior." 

His  opinion  of  Negroes  may  be  inferred  from  a  proverbial  faying, 
that  was  frequently  in  his  mouth;  *'  Shew  me  a  Negroe,  and  I  will, 
fliew  you  a  tbiej\^^     He  died,  not  long  fince,  at  the  age  of  fcventy,  or- 
thereabouts. 

I  have  ventured  to  fubjoin  fome  annotations  to  hi^  poem,  and  parti- 
cularly to  diftinguifh  feveral  paflages  in  theclaffic  authors,  to  which  he- 
feems  to  have  been  indebted,  or  to  have  had  allufion  ;  there  may  be 
other  paflages  which  have  efcaped  my  notice;  I  have  added  an  Eng-- 
lifh  tranflation  in  verfe,  wherein  I  have  endeavoured  to  retain  the  fenle^ 
without  wilfully  doing  injuftice  to  the  originaL 

Integerriino  et  FortiflSma 

Viro 
GEORGIO  HALDANO,  Armigeko^ 

Infulae  Jamakenfts  Gubcrnatori; 

Cui, 


B  O  O  K  III.     C  H  A  P.  IV.  479 

Cui^  omnes  morum^  virtutumque  dotes  belUcarunij 

In  cumulum  acceflerunt, 

CARMEN. 
DENIQUE  venturum  fatis  volventibus  annum  [^] 

Cun£ta  per  extenfum  Iseta  videnda  diem, 
Excudis  adfunt  curiS)  fub  imagine  [/J  clar4 

Felices  populi,  terraque  lege  virens. 
[g]  Te  duce,  [A]  quas  fuerant  maiefuada  mcnte  peradla 

Irrita,  confpe&u^non  reditura  tuo. 
Ergo  omnis  populus,  nee  non  plebecula  cernet 

[6]  Hsfurum  collo  te  [/]  relegajfe  jugum, 
£t  mala  J  quae  diris  quondam  cruciatibus^  infons 

Infula  pafTa  fuit;  condoluifTet  onus 
Ni  vidtrix  tua  Marte  manus  prius  inclyta»  noftris 

Sponte  \k'\  ruinofis  rebus  adefle  velit. 
Optimus  es  fervus  Regi  fervire  Britannoy 

Dum  gaudet  genio  \J]  Scotica  terra  tuo : 
Optimus  her6um  populi  \tn\  fulcire  ruinam  y 

Infula  dum  fupereft  ipfe  [n\  fuperftes  ertSt 
Vi£fcorem  agnofcet  te  Guadahufa^  fuorum 

Defpiciet  [o]  meritd  diruta  caftra  ducum. 
Aurea  vexillis  fiebit  jadantibus  [p]  Iris, 

Cumque  fuis  populis,  oppida  vi£ta  gemet» 

[f  ]  J^ce  ventttro  latentur  ut  omnia  Sseclo*     f^rg.  £•  iv.  5  z* 
[/]  Clara  (eems  to  be  rather  an  improper  epithet  joined  to  Imag^ 

I  J"]  ^  ^^"i  ^  ^"^  manent  fceleris  veftigia  noftri 
Irrita^  perpetua  folvent  formidine  terras.  y^rg^  £•  iv.  13. 

\h'\  Alluding  perhaps'  to  the  conteft  about  removing  the  feat  of  government  and  public  offices 
fromi^^r^  T<ywn  to  Kingfton^  during  the  adminiftration  of  governor  Kn^—-s. 

[0  Pit)  rmvajfc. 

\K\  Quern  vocet  divum  populus  mentis 

Imperi  rehus.  Hor»  Lih^  I.  OJ^  \u 

[i]  Mr.  Haldane  was  a  native  of  North  Britain. 

[m]  Tu  Ptolomse  potea.  magniyyr/iY  r»/ivtf«r»     Lucan*  Lib*  viii.  ^zZ* 

[ti]  This  was  a  promiie  of  fomewhat  more  than  antediluvian  longevity.  But  the  poet  proted  a 
falfe  prophet,  for  Mr.  Haldane  did  not  furvive  the  delivery  of  this  addrefs  many  months. 

[o\  E^gentjufio  dcmtos  triumpho.    Hor,  Ub,  I.  Od^xxu 

[p]  Iris,    ^tanic  name  of  xhcJear'Je-Iucey  alluding  to  the  arms  of  France. 

I  Crede, 


^  .  JAMAICA. 

Crede,  \i^]  wecrm  ndn  icft ,  t^  Marti  diarc !  [r]  Minerva ' 

Denegat  jEtbiopi  beUa  fonarc  docdfn. 
Concilio,  cancret  te  Bucbananus  ct  armis. 

Carmine  Peleida  icriberet  ille  parreiji. 
llle  pocta,  decus  patriae,  tua  fada  rrferrc 

Dignior,  [i]  altifono  vlxque  Marane  minor. 
[/]  Flammiferos  agitante  fuos  fub  io\c  jugales  \u\ 

Vivimusj.  eloquium  deficit  omnc  foci«. 
Hoc  demum  accipias,  multd  fuliginc  fufufn 

Ore  fonaturo ;  non  cute,  corde  valet. 
Pollcnti  ftabilita  manu,  {[^]  Dens  almus,  e&ndeni 

Ooinigenis  animain,  nil  probibentc  dedit) 
Ipfa  coloris  egens  virtus,  prudentta;  lioncfto 

Nullus  ined  an4n>o^  ^nu^Dus  in  arte  color. 
Cur  timeas,  quamvis,  dubitefve,  nigerrifma  ooiixak 

Cafaris  occiJuij  Icandcre  [y ]  JWi^  ^dotntt  m  ? 
[y]  Vade  falutatum,  nee  fit  tnbi ^cauia ^pudof^is^ 

[%\Candida  quod nigrd^c^rpcra.'ptlie gerisl  -   • 

Integritas  morum  [^]  Maicrum  magis  ornftt,  et  ar4or 

Ingenii,  ct  doSio  \Jf\  dukis  in  ore,  ^ior; 

[q]  Pbahm^  volentem  praella  me  loqui  .     . 

Vi^as  et  urbes,  increpuic  lyrfl 
Nc*  Hor. 

[r]  lavlta  Minerva.         Hor,  de  ArU  P-oet. 

[j]  Maronis  cdtlfoni  carmina.     Jm)^  &t/.  xi.  vrr.  178. 

[/]  FUmmiferoi  rotas  toto  caelo  agttat, 

[u]  I  apprehend  Mr.  Williams  miilook this  for  juhara^  fdnbearm. 

[w]  This  is  ^  petitio  frindpii^  or  begging  the  queiHon»un1e&mth  Mr.  P9pe| 

"  All  io-e  but  parts  of  one  flupendous  vtMit^ 
**  Whofe  body  nature  is,  and  God  the  foul.** 
But, 

**  Far  as  creation's  ample  range  extends, 
"  The  Jcale  of  fenfual  mental  powers  afcends." 

[x]  Mr,  Wilfiams  has  added  a  hictck  Mufe  to  the  Pierian  choir;  and,  as  he  has  not  thought  proper 
to  bellow  a  name  upon  her,  we  may  venture  to  announce  her  by  the  title  of  madam  JEMoplJf^. 

\y\  Vadle  falktatufn  fubito  perarata  parentem 
Liters.  Ov/V/, 

[7]  See  his  apophthegms  before-mentioned. 

\a\  Muurus  is  not  in  claffic  flrictnefs  proper  Latin  for  a  Ni^oe^ 

[tl  McJUs  in  ore  decor,    Incert* 

Hunc, 


BOOK   m;    CHAP.  IV\  481 

Huncy  magi  corfapiens^  patria  virtutis  ainc^que; 

[c\  Eximit  h  fociis,  conipicuiuiique''£»ctt.        '  :  f  * 
[^j  Infula  me  genuity  oelehres  BkMxtBritaimi^        -• 

Infula,  te  ialvo  non  dolitura  \e]  patre ! 
Hoc  precor ;  o  [/]  nuUo  videant  te  fine,  regentem 

Florentes  populos,  terra,  Deique  locos ! 

FRANCISCUS   WILLIAMS. 

The  fame y  tranjlated^ 

To 

That  moft  upright  and  valiant  Man^ 

GEORGE    HALDAN^,    Efq; 

Governor  of  the  Ifland  of  yaniaica ; 

Upon  whom 
All  military  and  moral  Endowments  are  accumulated. 

An  ODE. 
AT  length  revolving  fates  th*  expefted  year 
Advance,  gnd  joy  the  livcrloi^  day  fliall  cheer, 
Beneath  the  foftVing  law's  aufpicious  dawu 
New  harvefts  rife  to  glad  th*  enlivened  [^]  lawn. 
With  the  bright  profped  bleft^  the  fwains  repair 
In  ibcial  bands,  and  give  a  looie  to  care. 
Rafli  councils  now,  with. each  malignant  plan. 
Each  fadion,  that  in  evil  hour  began. 
At  your  approach  are  in  confufion  fled. 
Nor,  while  you  rule,  fhall  rear  their  daftard  head. 
Alike  the  mafter  and  the  flave  (hall  fee 
Their  neck  relieved,  the  yoke  unbound  by  thee. 
Ere  now  our  guiltlefs  ifle, .  her  wretched  fate 
Had  wept,  and  groan'd  beneath  th'  opprefiive  weight 

\c\  Me  ddHarmm  cderae  pnemit  frondun 


[</]  Mannia  me  genuit,  Calabri  rapu6re«    Fh^^ ,  . 

[f]  Hie  tmes  did  pater  atque  princepe.      Hor. 

[/]  Serus  in  ccelum  redeas,  diufuc 
L^us  intafii  popuU.         Hor. 

{g\  Lawn  is  ufed  here  in  the  fenfe  given  it  by  Johnfon,  viz.  ^*  a7%  efe4  fpaa  kt-jiyen  iM»dsi^ 
which  has  a  peculiar  propriety  applied  to  the  cane-fields  in  Jamaica. 

Vol.  II.  Q  q  q  Of 


J  A  M  A   I    C    A,; 

Of  cruel  woes ;  iaye  tby  viftorioi&s  han4t 
Long  iam*d  in  war^  finan  GaUia*s  boftile  land? 
And  wreaths  of  frefh  renown^  with  getieroys  Zfia)i 
Had  freely  tumM,  to  prqp  our  finking  w^sd. 
FormM  as  thou  art,  tofervejBr//iiii«^'icrowi^ 
While  Scoisa  claims  thee  for  her  darling  fon ; 
Oh !  heft  of  heioes>  al)le^  t9  fufiain 
A  falling  people,  and  relax  their  chain. 
Long  as  this  ifle  (hall  grace  the  Weftern  deep. 
From  age  to  age,  thy  fame  (hall  never  deep. 
Thee,  her  dread  viAor.G/^JWi^i^^^ihall  own, 
Cruflit  by  thy  arm,  her  flaughter'd  chiefs  bemoan ; 
View  their  proud  tents  all  level'd  in  the  duft. 
And,  while  flie  grieves,  confefs  the  caufe  was  juft. 
The  golden  Iris  the  fad  fcene  will  fhare. 
Will  mourn  her  banners  fcatter*d  in  the  air ; 
Lament  her  vanquiflit  troops  with  many  a  figh, 
Nor  lefs  to  fee  her  towns  in  rnin  lie. 
Favorite  of  Jfcforj/  believe,  th*  attempt  were  vain. 
It  is  not  mine  to  try  the  arduous  ftratn. 
What !  fhall  an  JEthiop  touch  the  martial  Ariiig, 
Of  battles,  leaders,  great  atchievements  fing  ? 
Ah  no !  Minerva^  with  th*  indignant  Nine^ 
Reflrain  him,  and  forbid  the  bold  defign. 
To  a  Buchanan  does  the  theme  belongs 
A  theme,  that  well  deferves  Buchanan^s  (bng. 
'Tis  he,  fiiould  fwell  the  din  of  war's  alarms. 
Record  thee  great  in  council,  as  in  arms ; 
Recite  each  conquefl  by  thy  valour  won. 
And  equal  thee  to  great  Peteides*  fon^ 
That  bard,  his  country *s  ornament  and  pride, 
Who  e'en  with  Maro  might  the  bays  divide :     * 
Far  worthier  he,  thy  glories  to  rehearfe. 
And  paint  thy  deeds  in  his  immortal  verfe« 
We  live,  alas!  where  the  bright  god  of  day. 
Full  from  the  zenith  whirls  his  torrid  ray : 
Beneath  the  rage  of  his  confuming  fires. 
All  fancy  melts,  all  eloquence  expires. 

ft 

3 


Yet 


BOOK  lir.    CHAR  IV.  48(3 

Yet  may  you  deigo  zcctpt  this  humble  ibng, 

Tho'  wrapt  in  gloom,  and  from  a  falt'fing  tongue; 

Tho'  dark  the  ftream  on  which  the  tribute  flows, 

Not  from  the Jkin,  but  from  the  heart  iK  rofe. 

To  all  of  human  kind,  benigoaint  heaven 

(Since  nought  forbids)  one  common  foul  has  given. 

This  rule  was  'ftabliih'd  by  th*  Eternal  Mind; 

Nor  virtue's  felf,  nor  prudence  are  confin'd 

To  colour  I  none  imbues*  the  honeft  heart ; 

To  fcience  none  belongs,  and  none  to  art 

Oh!  Mufe^  of  blackeft  tint,  why  (brinks  thy  breaft,. 

Why  fears  t'  approach  the  Cafar  of  the  TVefi! 

Difpel  thy  doubts,  with  confidence  afcend 

The  regal  dome,  and  hail  him  for  thy  friend  :  , 

Nor  blu(h,  altho*  in  garb  funereal  drefl:^ 

Tby  body's  wblte^  th(f  clad  in  fable  vefi. 

Manners  unfullied,  and  the  radiant  glow 

Of  genius,  burning  with  defire  to  know; 

And  learned  fpeech,  with  modeft  accent  vrorn, 

Shall  heft  the  footy  jtfrican  adorn. 

An  heart  with  wifdom  fraught,  a  patriot  flame, 

A  love  of  virtue ;  thefe  (hall  lift  his  name 

Confpicuous,  far  beyond  his  kindred  race^ 

Diftinguifh'd  from  them  by  the  foremoft  place. 

In  this  prolific  ifle  I  drew  my  birth, 

And  Britain  nurs'd,  illuftrious  through  the  earth  1 

This,  my  lov'd  iile,  which  never  more  (hall  grieve^ 

Whilftyou  our  common  friend,  our  father  live. 

Then  this  my  pray'r— "  May  earth  and  heaven  furvey 

**  A  people  ever  bleft,  beneath  yourfway!" 

FRANCIS    WILLIAMS- 

There  is,  in  this  performance,  a  ftrain  of  fuperlative  panegyric, 
•which  is  fcarcely  allowable  even  to  a  poet.  Buchanan  is  compared 
with  Virgil^  and  Mr.  Haldane  made  equal  to  jichilks*,  nay,  exalted 
ftill  higher,  for  he  is  hailed  the  Cafar  or  emperor  of  America.  The 
author  has  taken  care,  whilft  he  is  dealing  about  his  adulation,  not 
to  forget  himfclf.     His  fpeech  is  rcprefcnted  erudite  and  modeft; 

Q  q  q  a  his 


48+  JAMAICA. 

his  heart  is  filled  with  wifdomi  his  morals  are  immaculate;  and  he 
abounds  with  patriotifm  and  virtue. 

To  confider  the  merits  of  this  fpecimen  impartially^  we  muft  en- 
deavour to  forget,  in  the  firft  place,  that  the  writer  was  a  Negroei  for 
if  we  regard  it  as  an  extraordinary  produdion,  merely  becaufe  it 
came  from  a  Negroe,  we  admit  at  once  that  inequality  of  genius 
which  has  been  before  fuppoied^.  and  admire  it  only  as  a  rare  phs- 

siomenon. 

"  What  woeful  ftufF  this  madrigal  would  be 

«*  In  fome  ftarv'd,  hackney  fonneteer,  or  me ! 

•«  But  let  a  Negroe  own  the  happy  lines, 

<*  How  the  wit  brightens!  how  the  ftyle  refines! 

*'  Before  his  facred  name  flics  evVy  fault, 
.  ^*  And  each  exalted  ftanza  teems  with  thought!'* 
We  are  to  eftimate  it  as  having  flowed  from  the  poliftied  pen  of 
one,  who  received  an  academic  education,  under  every  advantage  that 
able  preceptors,  and  munificent  patrons,  could  furnifli ;  we  muft  like- 
wife  believe  it  to  be,  what  it  adually  was,  a  piece  highly  laboured ; 
defigned,  modeled,  and  perfedled,  to  the  utmoft  ftretch  of  his  in- 
vention, imagination,  'and  fkilL 

Should  we,  or  fliould  we  not,  have  looked  for  fomething  better 
from  one,  upon  whom  (to  borrow  his  own  phrafe)  omnes  artium, 
fcientiarumque  dotes  Atticarum  in  cumulum  accejftrunt  ?  or,  is  it  at  all 
fuperior,  in  claflic  purity  of  ftylc  and  numbers,  in  fehtiment  and  pro- 
priety, in  poetic  images  and  harmony,  to  any  compofition  we  might 
expeft  from  a  middling  fcholar  at  the  feminaries  of  Weftminfter  or 
Eaton  ?  It  is  true,  poeianafcitur^  nan  fit :  but  the  principal  forte  and 
excellence  of  this,  man  lay  in  verfificaiion ;  however,  as  I  mean  not 
to  prejudge  the  caufe,  I  ftiall  leave  It  to  the  fair  verdi<a  of  a  jury  of 
critics.  The  Spaniards  have  a  .proverbial  faying,.  **  jiunque  Negros 
^  Jomos  gSntey  **  though  we  arc  flacks,  we  are  men."  The  truth 
of  which  no  one  will  difpute ;  but  if  we  allow  the  fyftem  of  created 
beings  to  be  pcrfedt  and.  confident,,  and  that  this  perfection  arifes 
from  an  exad  fcale  of  gradation,,  from  the  loweft  to,  the  bigheft, 
combining  and  conneding.  every  part. into  a  regular  and  beautiful 
harmony,  reafoning  them,  from  the  vifible  plan  and  operation  of  in- 
finite wifdom  in  refped  to  the  human  race,  as  well  as  every  other 
fcries  in  the  fcale,  we  muft,  1  think,  conclude,  that, 

^  «  The 


BOOK  IIL    CHAP.  V. 

**  The  general  orders  fincc  the  whole  began,^ 
^^  Is  kept  in  nature^  and  is  kept  in  man: 
**  Order  is  heaven's  firft  law;  and,  this  confeft, 
•*  Some  arcy  and  muji  be^  greater  than  the  reft." 

CHAP.       V. 
SECT.     L 

An  Abftra6l  of  the  Jamaica  Code  Noir^  or  La\ys  afFcfting  N 
other  Slaves  in  that  Ifland. — And,  firft  of,  Penal  Cl 
'Anno 

169.6  N^  I.  Straggling  flavcs,  apprehended  without  a  ticket 
are  to  be  punifhed  with  moderate  whipping. 

2.  Striking  or  doing  violence  to  a  white  perfon  (<: 
command  of  tljeir  mafter  or  employer,  or  in  dcfe : 
perfon  or  goods),   puniftiable  at  difcretion  of  t^^ 
and  three  freeholders,  according  to  circumftance  i 

3 .  Stolen  good«  found  in  the  cuAody  of  a  flave— fuc  I 
conviction  of  receiving,  knowing  them  to  have  b  ; 
to  fuiFer  death,  tranfportation,  difmembering[/&],  o 
niihment,atthedij(cretionof twojufticesand  threefi : 

4.  Wilfully  returning  from  tranfportation,  death. 

5.  Compaffing  or  imagining  the  death  of  a  white p  : 
being  attainted  thereof  by  open  deed  (or  ouvert  at ! 
two  juftices  and  three  freeholders,  death. 

6.  [/]  On  complaint  made  to  a  jufticc  of  any  felony 

[fj]  This  inhuman  penalty  is  entirely  obfolete,  ^d  never  of  late  infli6led.    It  i  , 
proachful  to  the  laws,  and  ought  to  be  expunged.    Fagitives  were  formerly  punilhe< 

putation  of  their  toes.     This  execrable  barbarity  hindered  them  from  running  away,  : 

ed  them  likewife  from  rendering  etfedual  fervicc  to  their  owner;  and  for  this  reafonj  ; 

than  from  a  juil  fenfe  of  its  impropriety,  it  was  difcontinued.    Men  are  too  often  1 

cifud>  <^i  their  own  depraved  hearts;  and  it  becomes  a  Chriftian  legiflaturc  not  to  infl  : 

iage,.but  to  reprcfs  as  much  as  polTible,  this  fanguinary  difpoiitioni  by  giving  exan  1 
it9  penal  ordinances,  o^  juftice  in  mercy. 

[/)'  The  reafon  of  not  allowing  a  jury,  inAead  of  this  male,  probably  was,  the  fc   ; 
fpread  over  the  country,  and  that,  in  a  time?  of  infurreiftion  andrebellion^  the  proccc   i 
bt  too  fummar}'.    The  funimoning  twenty  or  thirty  Whites,  in  order  to  make  fui 
anccs  on  the  panel,  would  have  required  too  much'  time  and  delay,  and  have  often  I    1 
blc.     Add  to  this,  that  the  Whites. iicver  confidered  themfeWes  as  the /fl;Yi  of  th(    '. 
.prefciit  mode,  by  two  juftices,  and  three  freeholders,  fiveperfons  in  all,  of  whom  the  p»i    ; 
ititerefted  can  ncrer  be  one,  who  are  indificrcnt  and  uobiafTed,  and  upon  oath  to  judj 
cording  to  evidence,  is.  perhaps  fufficient  to  ajifwer  all  the  ends  6f  impartial  judical 
to  thefe  peopiew 


14^  JAMAICA. 

robbery  ;  burning  of  houfes,   canes  ;   rebellious  j  conipi* 
racies  ;  or  other  capital  offences ;  the  juftice  is  to  iflue  his 
warrant  to  apprehend  the  offenders,  and  for  fummoning 
the  evidence  before  him.     The  evidence  of  one  flave  to 
>  be  admitted  againft  another  Have  ;  and  if,  upon  exami- 
nation, it  appears,  prirndfacicj  that  the  offenders  are  guilty, 
he  is  to  commit  them  to  prifon,  certify  accordingly ,  and 
alibciate  himfelf  with  another  juftice.    Thefe  two  are  then 
to  cite  three  freeholders,   intimating  the  caufe,  and  ap- 
pointing a  certain  day  and  place  for  the  trial  to  be  held  ; 
and  if,  upon  full  and  due  hearing  of  the  matter  (the  free- 
holders being  firft  fworn,  by  the  juftices,  to  judge  up- 
rightly, and  according  to  the  evidence),  they  deem  the  cul;- 
prits  guilty,  judgement  is  then  forthwith  to  be  given,  of 
death,   tranfportation,  or  other  punifhment,  as  they,  ia 
their  judgement,  (hall  think  meet  to  inflift. 
7.  All  petit  crimes,  trefpaflies,  and  injuries,  committed  by  a 
ilave,    are  to  be   heard  and  determined  by  any   of  his 
majefty's  juftices  within  the  ifland* 
1171 1     8.  Slaves,  deftroying  fifh  by  poifoning,  ufing  nets  of  meihes 
lefsthan  one  inch  and  a  quarter,  or  deftroying  turtle  eggs, 
or    killing  pigeons,   in  the  months  of  May,    June,   or 
July,    are   punifheable  with  [k]  thirty-one  lajhes    on  the 
bare  back,   on  conviftion  before  a  juftice  of  the  peace. 
9.  To  put  a  flop  to  the  wanton  flaughter  of  old  breeding 
cattle  and  marked  young  ones,   with  other  abufes  of  the 
like  fort,  no  ftave  to   keep  any   horfes,   mares,  mules, 
affes,  or  cattle,  on  penalty  of  forfeiting  the  fame. 

JO,  No  flave  to  hif^  himfelf  out  to  work  to  another,  without 
confcntof  his  owner,  or  employer.  Penalty,  upon  con- 
viction before  a  magiftrate,  whipping  at  the  magiftrate's 
difcretion,   not  exceeding  thirty-^ne  Iqjfbes  [k']. 

J  I.  Hawking  about  and  felling  goods  [/]  (except  provifions, 
fruits,   and  other  enumerated  articles)   to  be  punifhed, 

Xl]  By  th€  Jewifh  laws,  a  wicked  man,  worthy  to  be  beaten,  was  to  be  beaten  before  thejudgte, 
:according  to  his  fault :  firty  flripes  might  be  inflicted ;  and  not  to  exceed.  Deut.  xxv,  3,  Ia 
.another  place,  we  are  told,  the  puniihment  wasy^r/y  ftripesy Jove  on$*    Numb.  latv. 

\t\  This  reilraxnt  is  conflrued  to  extend  only  to  beef,  veal,  mutton,  and  falt*if(h;  and  to  nub> 
oiufaduresy  except  baikcts,  ropes  of  >b«tk,  cordiea  potB,  and  fuch  like. 

on 


BOOK    IIL      CH  A  P-    V.  48^ 

on  convi£UoQ  before  a  magiftrate,  by    whippiug^    not 
exceeding  tbirty^onc  lajhes.    See  N**  20. 
1  a.  Selling,  or  giving  away,  fugar  or  fugar»caneS|  without  a  'i 

ticket ;  on  conviction ,  whipping  as  above. 
23.  Free  peribns,  or  (laves  [m]  buying  fuchgoods,  to  forfeit 
10/^  and  fuffer  punifhment  by  whipping,  not  exceeding  . 
twenty  lajbes. 
1749  14.  \n\  A  flave  of  eighteen  years  of  age,  or  upwards,  being 
a.  native  of  the  illand,  or  refident  in  it  three  years  from  . 
the  time  of  importation,  running   away  and  abfenting 
Tumfelf  for  fix  whole  months,  is  to  be  tried  as  for  a  ca* 
pital  offence;  and,  upon  due  proof  and  conviction,  is  to 
fuffer  deathy  or  fuch  other  punifhment  as  the  court  (hall  - 
think  fit  to.  adjudge;  provided  that  profeeution  be  com- 
menced.within  three  months  after  his  being  taken  or  re- 
turned ;  and,    further,  that  no  owner  fhali  be  repaid  for 
any  flave  fo  executed,  but  .that  the  lofs  fhall  fall  upon  t 
fuch  owner  [cQ. 

i5^A' 

[1*]  Some  Jews,  however,-  h^c  been  known  to  accumulate  fevcrd  caiks  of  fugar  in  a  year,  \ 
ftttrlobed,  in  finall  quantities  at  b  time>  by  the  Negroes,  who  were  faandibmely  rewarded  for  - 
robbing  their  mafiersb  .  * 

\n\  There  feems  a  great  degree  of  hardfhip  on  the  &:e  of  this  claufe,  in  (ubje^ling  flaves  to 
ihe  peadtjr  of  ^4:iiptal  crime,  who  perliaps.  may  be  ign<Mrant*of  the  penaicy  they  incur*  i  The  po- .  - 
licy  on  wUch  it  is  founded  is»  ihat  all  penal  laws  are  made  in  urrmrtm^  and  fer  prevention  :  (b  is  *  > 
this*    If  one  flare  might  elope  into  the  woods,  there  abide  with  impunity,  and  fornl  a  (ettlemefit; 
£>:  might  tenthoufand,  to  the  ruin  of  the  colony.    A  law  to  the  fame  effsdl,  paflfed  thirty- two 
years  before^  fet.  forth,.  '^  that  many  cnmes,  committed  by  flares,  which  were  puniihable  with  • 
''litath,  often  remained  undetected,  by  omiffion  of  their  owners  to  profecute/'.   The. owner  is 
4ieccllarily  the  profecutor;  .and   the  provifo,   which   fubjeds   him  to  the  entire  4ofs  of  the  * 
■Taliieof  .his.ilaYe,af  he  pnoiecutes  to  cowndtiont  efie^ally  prevents,  fuch  prqfecutions  from  being 
«oniroenced ;  ftnr  which  reafen,  this  clauie  in^feh  defiy  and  utterly  non-effedive. .  And,  confidering 
the  ieverlty  which  it  breathes,  it  is  bell  it  fhotild  be  fo ; .  or  elfe  be  repealed,  and  the  .punifhment  • 
^hered  to  tranfportation :  for  to  infli<S^  Jeath  on  a  poor  wretch,  for  a  tranfgreffion,  committed  per^  - 
haps  through  mere  ignorance  of  the  law,  or  enormous  ill  ufage,  is  highly  tyrannical  and  crueU  . 

M  It  feetns  to  beiin  inipetfe6tion  in  theiie  claufes,  that  the  punilhrnentis,  in  many  cafes,  left-  * 
undefined  and  arbitrary.  .  The  |datn  meaning  of  the  legiflature  in  the  flrudure  of  them,  where  • 
an  altemati^  is  admitted,  w^s  tQ  give  room  for  a  miiigation,  or  commutation  of  ahe  penalty.  ex«  - 
•preflTcd,  according  to  the  circumlbnces  of  each  cafe,  and  the  greater  or  lefs  degree  oi  gOilt  that 
might  appear;    This  was  oooimehdable,  and  coyafonanc  to  the  penal  clatiies. which  govern  the 
wny  and  army  of  Gwat-Brit«k<    But  it  is  a  gteat  dcfeft  in  thera,  not  to  require  ihefe  reftrie* 
tions,  and  penajtties,  to  be  ^j  j^omulgated  among  the  Negroes ;  for  how  can  they  reafonably  bd 
condemned  upon  laws  which  they  ncyer  fee  or  know  f  •  Unlefa  they  are  duly  apprized.of  what 

they,  . 


488f  •     JAMAICA. 

15,  [/]  A  flave,  harbouring,  concealing,  or  entertaining,  a 
runaway  flave,  knowing  him  to  be  Juch^  upon  due  con- 
viftion  and  proof  before  two  juftices.  and  three  free- 
holders, to  fufFer  deaths  or  be  otherwife  punilhed  at  the 
difcrerion  of  the  court ;  provided  that  the  profecution  be 
commenced  within  one  itionth  next  after  the  difcovcry 
of  fuch  offence. 

16.  [y]  Slaves,  hunting  cattle,  horfcs,  mares,  &c.  with 
lances,  guns,  cutlafles,  or  other  inftruments  of  death, 
trnlefs  in  company  with  their  mafter,  &c.  or  other 
white  perfbn  by  him  or  them  deputed,  on  conviftion 
before  two  juftices  and  three  freeholders,  to  be  adjudged 
guilty  of  felony,  and  be  tranfported. 

17,  No  flave  to  carry  fire-arms  about  the  iflaiid  without  a 
ticket  from  his  owner  or  employer,  under  penalty  of 
fuch  corporal  punilhment  (not  extending  to  life  or  limb) 
as  two  juftices  fhall  think  meet  to  inflift. 

18.  [r]  A  perfon  killing  a  flave  in  the  faft  of  fl:ealing,  or 
running  away,  or  found  in  the  night  out  of  his  owner's 
or  employer's  eftate,  or  on  the  road,  and  refufing  to 
fubmit,  fuch  perfon  not  liable  to  a<5lion  or  damage  for 
the  fame. 

they  are  to  do,  hikI  what  they  are  not  to  do,  and  are  admoniihed  of  the  certain  punifkment  they 
*irill  incur  by  doing  (b  and  fo;  thefe  unlettered  favages  might  as  well  be  condemned  on  the  laws 
of  Japan  or  Crim-Tartary.  I  (hould,  however,  have  excepted  this  particular  ad,  which  the  cmfiM 
of  every  pariih  is  <lire6led  to  t^e  the  moft  effectual  methods  for  making  public. 

\j>\  So,  Ezod.  sxi.  16,  *'  He  that  ilealeth  a  man,  and  felleth  him,  or  if  he  be  found  in  his  hand, 
'*«  he  (hall  furely  be  put  to  death."  This,  I  prefume,  extended  as  well  to  dealing  another  Jew's 
ilttve,  as  dealing  a  fellow-Jew,  in  order  to  fell  ham  for  a  ilave  to  a  Gentik  nation.  By  ver.  8,  it  ap- 
pears, that «  Jew  might  fdl  his  own  daughter  for  a  flavcy  except  to  a  Gentile  or  ihange  oatioow 
Deut.  xxiii.  f5.  ^'  Thou  fhalt  not  deliver  unto  his  jiiailer  the  fervant  which  is  eicaped  from  his 
^*  mafter  unto  thee."  ••  He  fhall  dwell  with  thee.*'  This  muft  be  underftood  of  a  fljrvc  belonging 
40  a  ftranger,>or  Gentile,  and  not  to  a  brother  Jew ;  for,  otherwife,  it  would  be  repugnant  to  the 
fenfe  of  the  preceding  ftatute. 

[  q\  By  a^  14.  George  H.  cap.  6,  dealing  of  (heep  and  cattle  is  made  felony  without  benefit 
«f  clergy.  And  i;  George  H.  cap.  34,  explaining  the  former  ad,  declares  iheep  and  cattle  to 
extend  to  any  hull,  cow,  ox,  deer,  buUock,  heifer,  calf,  and  lamb.  So  horfe-ftealers  are  excluded 
from  dergy. 

[r]  So,  £xod.  xxii.  2,  5,  ^^  If  a  thief  be  found  breaking-up"  in  the  »/^,  <<  and  be  fmitten  that 
**  he  die,  there  fhall  no  blood  be  ihed  for  him.**  But,  if  in  the  dq^time^  fuch  killing  is  n)urder. 
The  penalty  on  the  thief,  in  this  cafe,  \8  reiUtution  of  the  things  ftoleC)  or  the  value;  or^  having 
Mot  wheiewithfd  to  pay  the  value,  then  to  be  fold  for  a  flave. 

19.  A 


;500K    III. i,  CHAP.    V. 

19,  A  flave^  maliciatf/ly  giving  poifon  to  any  free  p 
flave,    and   being"  coirviSed'  thereof  before   twc 
'and  three  freeholders,  to  be  adjudged   guilty  of 
and  to  fufFer  death. 
iq.  A  flav;ef|  falling  in.^ny  pubJi^cplace,  or  market, 
,g9ods  than  /ucb  as  pir-operly  Jbelopg  lo  hisr  owne 
his  owner*  s  u(e^  aud  t^fiiC  ^re^  not   expreiled  in 
upon   complaint   and  ,tQnvi£tion  before  a  jufli< 
'whipped  by  order  ^f  fuch  juflice.     See  N^  i  !• 
ij'6o  21.  [j]  03f/V?A'/w^»,  pretended  conjurors,  or  priefts,  u 
viftion  before  two  Jvilices  and  three  freeholders 
pra£tifing  as  fuch|  to  fufFer  death,  or  tranfpori 
the  difcretioQ  of  the  court. 

» 

zz.  Slaves,  con vided  before  two  juftices  and  th 
holders  of  having  in  their  cuftody  fire-arms,  guc 
bayonet,  fword,  or  other  military  ofFenfive  wej 
cept  iacompany  with,  or  under  the  diredlion  of, 
perfon,  or  having  a  ticket,  or  licence,  in  writ 
,  their  pwnpr,  overfeer,  or  employer),  to  fuffer 
other  puniihment, .  at  the  difcretion  of  the  court 

1768  23.  Slaves,  attempting  to  defert  from  the  ifland  in 

boat,  &c.  and  being  qouvifted  before  two  juf] 
three  freeholders,  to  fuffer  ^^/^,  or  other  puuil} 
the  difcretion  of  the  court. 

1769  24.  Slaves,  ^king  (lones  or  ball^ii:  from  the  Pailijad 

fonment,  not  exceeding  three  months* 
25.  Slaves,  found  felling  frej[h-fi(H  in  any  part  of  1 
except  at  the  fifli-mark^t^  within  the  market 
eight  in  the  morning  and  two  in  the  afterm 
nilhable  at  the  difcretion  pf  any.  of  the  magil 
that  parifli ;  and  fucli  fifh^o  be  forfeited,  and  d 
to  the  poor* 

[x]  Many  of  thefe  incendiaries,  called  marbfltS)  or  mahtboUtf|  on  the  coafi  of  61 
mihed  from  their  own  country  for  jnal-pra^tices. 


i 


Vol.  II.  Virt 


490  JAMAICA. 

SECT.    IL  "^^ 

Dijhrihuttve  and  Muntrary. 

Anno. 

1696  I.  Maleflaves  are  to  have  jackets  ^ttid  drawers;  and  female 
flaves,  jackets  and  petticoats ;  fapplied  them  once  a  year, 
under  penalty  of  five  (hillings,  to  be  paid  by  the  owner  or 
mafter  for  every  default  [/}. 

2.  Conftables  are  to  prefent  all  fuch  defaulters  every  year 
to  the  juftices ;  and  fuch  conftables  to  be  charged  on 
oath,  by  the  juftices,  to  do  their  duty  herein. 

3.  All  matters,  owners,  &c.  are  to  have  [2/]  one  acre  of 
ground,  well  planted  with  prdvifions,  for  every ^vr  flaves 
belbnging  to  them,  under  penalty  of  40X.  for*  every  fuch 
acre  deficient. 

4.  Gaol-keepers,  having  cuftody  of  run-away  flaves,  are  to 
lupply  them  with  convenient  food,  water,  and  dry 
lodging,  on  penalty  of  40/.  *  for  every  default. 

5.  A  flave,  taking  up  a  run-away,' aid    bringing  to    the 
•  oWncr  or  to  the  next  gaol^  (hall  receive  one  fhilling  per 

mile  for  the  firft  five  miles,  aiid  eight-pence  per  mile  for 
every  other,  fo  that  the.  whole ^oes  not  exceed  40  s.  And 
any  perlbn,  depriving  or  defrauding  the  flave  of  fuch  re- 
ward, ftiall  forfeit /r^^/?  the  value.        ^ 

6.  A  flave,  taking  prifbneir  •  or  killing  •  a  rebeffibus-  flave,  to 
receive  40-/.,  ahd'a  coat  with  a  red  crofs  upon  it.  By 
a  fubie<{uent  a£t,  the  rewacd  is  raifed  to  10  L 

7.  Female  eonviAs,  pregnant,  to  be  rcfpited  from  exe^ 
cutton  unftil  after  their*  delivery. 

\t\  On  erery  weU-regulattd  plantation  di<y  are  albwed,  befides  a  (bit  of  warm  woollen  doaths. 
Bats,  ^apfiy  checks,  handtochieft,  t^tAkb^  apixstir  to  thie!  boilers,  beapisi  needles;  thread,  knives,  fdf- 
fan,  pipes,  tobacco,  iron  pots,  fait,  fugar,  rum,  &c.  As  to  holidll|ir<»fiHts;ttid  finery,  the  iettled 
N^roes  are  very  able  to  aflbid  them  out  of  their  gwn  profits.  Tradefmen  and  chief  Negroes 
iQcbkfe  a  ftated  weekly  attowaoce  of  beef,  hemjog,  or  iak-fiOik ;  the  r^ftMcafioBalljr.  E«eiy  fuch 
eftate  has  a  convenient  hofpital  for  the  fick  \  wherQ  tfae^  ase  dufyjffonded  wkh  fiydiaJaWi  ii|iide% 
and  fuitable  diet,  and  neceifaries. 

[«]  In  England  one  acre  of  good  land  is  deemed  fufficient  to  muntain  lour  perfons,  or  three 
oxen,  or  two  alles,  or  twelve  flieep.  The  fuperior  fertility  of  the  Weft-India  land  makes  a  confix 
(]e^^ ^fitencC*  *  '•  *il  .  :  • 

4  8.  All 


8.  AU;  p»(^ersi  m|ftr€ffe^c>€»Vftfr*j, .  empioyersi  ^&;c.^  are  cq 
.  f        eudcavour, 'as  mudx  as .poffible,  the  inftruftion  of  their 

ilaves^  in  the  priucip^es  of  the  Chriftian  r^ligioii ;  and  fa- 
cilitate their  con  verfion ;  and  do  their.utmoft  Co  fit  them 
forhapttfin;  indi  'a»Jfelw  ftS  coftVepieut;  c»iife.  all  fuch 
to  be  baptised  as  they  caor mak^p .fwlibk .q£  a.Deity«  and 
the  Chriftian  faith  [w]. . - 

9.  Thcjufticee,  at  thieir  firftfeffionia  «vcry.  year,  arc  to 
appoint  the,nan:ibef  of  holidays  to  be, given  to  (laves  at 
Ghriftmasj  Eailer^  awl  Whitliiolide|^]* 

..       '       .  1735 

'  ...»  *£'  *  ** 

*  [w]  All  the  Creole  flavcs  dught  to  be  bJiptited,  under  sT  mgh  penalty  oA  iheir  6wners  for  ncg- 
le6tSng  it;  aid  the  beptilhial  fees  ibdokl  ^  fixed  bj  Umr  tc  a idw  rate? for  example,  at  fix-pence 
each;  which*  fupfwfiiig  ^here.  are  novr  one  hundred  tfaou&nd  unbapdzed  Creoles  in  the  ifland, 
would  bring  ia  to  the  clergy  there  250Q  /. 

^*  In  all  civilized  daees  two  things  may  be  obferved,  which  may  be  confidered  as  the  great  foun- 
**  dation  at^d  fupport  of  political  fociety :  the  firfl  of  tbefei  the  ceremonies  that  accompany  the 
<'  union  of  amaA  with  a  wofnan,  which  6x  and  regulate,  theti^  of  marri^^ge,  and  the.fiateof  chil- 
**  dren ;  the  feq)nd,  the  ceremonies  of  public  wbrlhip  foleiBnly  paid  to  the  Deity,  Thcfe  twp 
^  have  been  found,  by  legiilators^  the  wii'eil  and  moil  eSeftuai  means  /or  the  fupport  and  good  go^ 
<*  vtrnment  of  ftates/*    Goguet. 

[;r]  The  Negroes  are  ib  fenfible  of  their  right  to  theiei  and  their  leifurc'^hours  of  eac^  day  ig 
the  intervals  of  work,  that  they  call  them  emphatically  their  ovja  time^  Nor  is  it  ever  borrowed 
from  them  but  in  fome  very  particular  emergiency»  when  they  are  either  paid  for  it,  as  fnay  be 
agreed  upon,  or  allowed  an  equal  portion  ef  time  on  fome  other  d^y*  ,  They  geoccally  faeg^ 
work  at  fix  in  the  morning^  an^  leave  off  at  Cv^  in  the  af<ernoont  having  half  an  hour  at  breakfiiil^ 
and  on  moft  efiates  two  hours  at  nooti.  Thus  their  day's*  work  is  nine  houis  and  a  half  in  gie* 
ueral.  Their  leifure-times,  on  moil  eftates,  are  Saturday  afternoon,  except  in  cafe  of  veiy  urgent 
bufinefs ;  every  Sunday  throughout  the  year;  three  days  at  Chriflnoos,,  two  atEafier,  and  two  ift 
Whitfuntide ;  and,  at  fome  efiates,  a  jubilee-day,  on  finifhing  crop :  fo  that  the  whole  number  of 
days,  they  have  to  themfelves  in  the  courfe  of  the  year,  is  about  eighty-fix.  The  Jews  allow  their 
flaves  Saturday  (which  is  their  iabbath),  and  Sunday  (which  is  the  Cbriflian's) :  their  (Uvea  ha?^ 
theiefore  about  one  hundred  and  ele?en  holidays  in  the  ye^r  at  katfl  f .  H'hkb  amount  to  more  tkftt 
three  months  out  of  the  twelve*  T^e  ufual  grofi  value  of  a-Negroe's  labour,  hitGJifmAm§ 
being  about  two  (hillings ;  a  Chriflian's  Negroe  (fuppofing  him  not  more  confcieDtious  chtakip^ 
ber8»  tavern-keepers,  inn-keepers,  flable-kcepers,  and  maay  ihop^keepen,  are  on  U^e  LordWtjr 
in  Enghmd)  gains  for  h^mielf  S/.  12s.  in  value  qi  his  labour,  and  a  Jew^s  flave  ti/«  zs^  fgit 
amtum.  But  it  is  well  known,  that  many  of  them  ggin  infimtely  morcp  £nce  the  produce  of  obe 
day's  labour  for  themfelves  will  turn  out  inore  wecth  than  a  fiMtn^ht'a  hire* 

An  mgenious  writer  obiervps  her6vppn»  ^\  The  principal  rime  I  would  have  rderfcc^  Cm  iodri«' 
<' gence  to  the  flaves,  is  Sunday*  whk;h  ^pij^phaned  in  a  manner  altogether.  Ibaodabus  in  our  €»• 
<<  lonies.  On  this  day  fome  pains  ihould.certainly.be  taken  to  inftrud  themp  id  the  beft  of  their 
"<*  comprehenfioo,  efpedally  the  children^  in  ibiae  of  the  princi^  of  id^^im  and  virtue*. pactH 
«<  cularly  in  the  humility,  fubmiffion,  and  boBjBi)y»  which  boQ^O^  thi^r  condidom  Aad^  if  oticr 
<^  whole  day  in  the  week,  or  two  half-days  at  proper  diftance,  were  allowed  Sm  their  private  kbour 
^  in  their  grounds^  in  lieu  of  Suudays^  they  would  more  chearfuily  bear.  fat%ae  ifairingthe  other 


492'  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

1735  io<  Slaves  may  carry  about,  and  fell,  all  manner  of  pro- 

vifions,  fruits,  frefh  fiih,  milk,  poultry,  and  other  fmall 

itock  of  all  kinds,  having  a  ticket  from  their  owner,  or 
employer. 

X  I.  No  fkve  to  be  difmenibered  at  the  will  and  pleafure  of 

his  owner,  matter,  or  employer,  under  penalty  of  100  A 

payable  to  the  informer.  '  ' 

1751   12.  To  prevent  the  bloody,  inhuman,   and  wanton  killing 

of  (laves,  anyperfon,   fb  ofiending,  to  be  adjudged,  for 

the  firA  Ojfence,   on  convi£Uou,    guilty  of  felony,   and 

have  benefit  of  clergy ;  and  fuffer  the  further  punifhment 

of  imprifonment,  as  the  court  ih all  award,  not  exceeding 

the  term  of  twelve  months  ^  and,  for  the  iecoud  offence^ 

fuch  perfon  to  fuffer  death,  but  not  to  work  corruption 

of  blood,  nor  forfeiture  of  lands,  chattels,  &c,  [yj. 

SECT. 

**  five  days ;  and,  by  means  of  thefe  intervals,  have  time  to  recruit  tbeir  (trength,  (b  as,  on  tbe 
**  days  appropriated  to  tbeir  maftefs  labour,  to  go  through  more  work,  andperforni  it  better,  than 
**•  they  commonly  are  able  to  do  under  their  prefent  regulations ;  for  it  is  eafy  to  conceive,  that^ 
**  with  moderate  intervals  of  reft,  any  man  will  better,  and  with  lefs  hurt  to  his  body,  execute  a 
**•  given  quantity  of  work,  than  he  ckn  poflibly  perform  without  them ;  ib  that,  at  the  week's  end, 
^  the  fame  quantity  of  labour,  at  leaft,  would  be  gone  through,  with  no  injury  to  their  healths. 
**  nor  wafle  of  fpirits,  which  is  now  poffibly  performed  with  injury  to  both.  With  a  tincture  of 
^  reHgious  precepts,  as  &r  as  can  be  adapted  to  their  capacity,  they  would  grow  more  honed, 
^  tradable,  and  left  of  eye-fervants ;  unlefs  it  can  be  proved  (contraiy  to  univerfal  experience), 
^  that  the  fiinfHons  of  religion,  and  do^irines  of  morality,  and  all  the  habits  of  an  early  inllru^* 
^'  tion,  are  of  no  advantage  to  mankind.**  Thefe  opinions  are  founded  in  policy  and  truth ;  but 
difficulties  would  attend  the  adoption  of  them  in  praftice,  although  far  from  being  infurmountable^ 
It  is  certain,  that  the  fabbath'-day,  as  at  prefent  it  is  paiTed,  is  by  no  means  a.  day  of  refpite  from 
kibour :  on  the  contrary,  the  Negroes,  either  employing  it  in  thejr  ground^,  or  in  traveling  a  great 
diftanceto  fome  marker,  fatigue  themfelves  much  more  on  that  day,  than  on  any  other  in  the 
w^eek.'  The  forenoon  of  that  day,  at  kaft>  might  be  given^to  rclrgious  duties;  but  I  think  it  ra- 
iher-ddirable  than  otherwrie,  that  the  after-part  of  it  (hould  be  fpent  in-tfaeir  pounds,  infiead  of 
bifnig  ufelefsly  dtflipated' in  idlenefs  and  lounging,  or  (wha(  is  worie)  in  riot,  druokennefsy  and 
^ekedneis.  if  fueh  an  alteration  fhoold  take  place,  ThuWday  mhghtbe  affigncd  for  the  market- 
dbiy,  infteadiof  the  fabbath,  aadr  prov»  of  great  advantage  to  al)  the  Cfariftian  fhop^eepers  and 
vetailers;  the  Jews  now  engroffing  the  whole balinefs  of  trafficking  with  the  Negroes  every  Son- 
day,  at  wjiich  time  therti  is  tt* prodigious  reform  of  them-to  Ae  towns,  and- a  vaft  fnm  expended' 
for  drains,  neceflkries,  and' manuladkures.  ISiis  alteration  woukl  therefore  place  the  Chriftian 
dealers  upon  an  equal,<  fair  footing,  'which  tb«y,  da. not  ait  prefent  enjoy.  The  whole  number  of 
Negroe  holidays  in  xhe  year  ^ouU*then  atnount  to'^ne  hundred  and  eleven,  which  is.no  more 
tliftti  the  jtws  at^refept  tfllow  t«l  their  flaves  f  and,  by  this  divtfion  of. the  time,  they  would  pro- 
bably grow  'improved  -iMtWek  bdiaiyiouf^  as  Well  as  in  their  ability  and  willingnefs  to  ferve  their 
Chriftian  owners.  '  '' 

[y]  Sp,  EwkLx^.  to,  it*.  *^  If  a  man  fmite  biirfervaot  with  a  rod,  and  he  die  under  his 
^  band,  he  ihaU  furely  be  puuiihed^'*  But  in  what  laanner  the  text.dpes  np^  cx^in ;  though  it  is 

evident 


•'^ 


BOOK    HI.      CHAP.    V. 

SECT.    III. 

Remarks  on  the  Negroe  Regulations^ 

THE  Negroe  code  of  this  ifland  appears  originally 
copied  from  the  model  in  ufe  at  Barbadoes;  and  the   legiil 
this  latter  ifland,  which  was  thefirft  planted  by  the  Englifli, 
to   the  Englifli  villeinage   laws,  from   whence   they   und 
transfufed  all  that  feverity  which  cbaraderizes  them,  an 


Evident  no  coital fmntjhment  is  here  meant.    But,  '*  If  he  continue  a  day  or  two**  dU*^ 
^  not  be  punUhed ;  for  he  is  his  money."     Strange  (fays  Montefcjuleu),    that 
ftould  thus  relax  the  law  of  nature ! 

One  Lockwood  (who  was  afterwards  proved  to  be  a  lunatic)  inhumanly  butchen 
which  gave  rife  to  this  a6V.  I  remember  one  inflance  of  a  man  convi&ed  upon  it ;  • 
his  firftoffencey  he  was  burnt  in  the  hand. 

By  the  law  of  Pennlylvania,  a  white  owner,  who  kills  his  N^oe  flave  with  mal 
is  Hable  to  futfer  death  for  it.  There  is  not>  however,  any 'example  there  of  an  c 
been  executed  for  this  crime.  A  few  years  ago,  a  mafler  murdered  his  flave ;  upoi 
friends,  and  even  the  magifh^tes,  fecrctly  advifed  him  to  leave  the  country,  as,  oti 
could  not  avoid  apprehending  him ;  in  which  cafe,  he  muil  be  adjudged  to  die,  accc 
law,  without  any  hope  of  faving  him.  This  lenity  (fays  Kalm)  was  employed,  that 
might  not  have  the  fatisfaiS^ion  of  ieeing  a  mailer  executed  for  killing  his  flare ;  fc 
lead  them  to  dangerous  de(igns  againil  their  roaders,  and  to  let  too  high  a  value  upo: 
I  mud  beg  Idenre  here  to  differ  a  little  in  opinion  from  this  writer.  An  impartial 
jufiice,  and  the  law,  upon  thofe  who  wantonly  (lied  innocent  biooil,  m^ift  inevtti 
high  veneration  tofuch  a.  law  from  theNegroes,  and  induce  them*to  r^rd  munle^ 
titrocious  light,  when  they  fee  itpunilbed  with  fuch  exemplary  feverity  without  ref 
ions ;  for,  furely,  no  pretence  can  juflify  fuch  execrable  deeds:  the  guilty  pprfoo  puts 
of  an  prote6lion  of  human  law,  when  he  commits  the  crime;  he  ceafes  to  be  coi 
man ;  he  becomes  a  favage  beail;.  and,  whatever  may  be  his  complexion,  the  good  oi 
found  policy  require  he  fhould  fuffer  caplial^^  as  an  example  of  terror-to  Black  .as  we 
At  prefent,  a  Negroe  fees  only  what  may  ju(Hfy  him  in  retaliation.  The  law  oi 
plainly  tells  him,  ''  If  a  white  man  murders  a  white  man,  he  ought  to  Mi  for  it ;  bu 
^  man  murders  aiblack  man,  he  ought  co  he  acquired P*  Is  not  the  Negroe*  led  to 
wry  fame  principle  and  .creed  ex  conrjcrfo  ?-  "I  believe,*'  he  may  fay, .  **  that  it*  is 
•*  crime  for  a  Negroe  to  murder  a  Negr  e ;  but  for  a  Negroe  to  murder  a  white  man 
**  at  all ;  at  lead,  I  infer  as  much  from  the.  law  of  the; Whites,  which  meafuoes  the  ext 
'*not  according  to  realbn,  but  according;  to  the  tincture  .of  the  ikin ;  .they.Uvour  the 
"•  we  the  Black,  with  equal  propriety  and  julxicc**' 

It  was,  I.think,  very  much  to  the  honour  of  goverj^meot,.  thatthefoUowing.infln 
given  to  fope  of  the  iivil  commanders  in.  chief  of  this  iiland : . 

'••'You  (halVendeavour to  get  a  law  pafted  for  rcftraining  of .. any- inhumaa feverity,  I 
>^  ill  mailers  or  overfcers,  that  may  be  ufed  towards  their  Chriilian  fervants,  or  other  f] 
^  3rou  are  alfo,  with  the  aiiidance  of  the  council  and  ailembly,  to  find  out  the  beitm 
^'^tate  and  encourage  the  conveyiion  of  Negroes  to.  the  ChriAiaD.religica.'' 


.494  JAMAICA. 

the  abjea  Da  very  which  the  comnion  people  of  England   formerly 
Jaboured  under.      In  the  34th  of  Edward  III,  for  example,  a  la- 
bourer, or  .flave,    fleeing  from  his  mafter's  fervice  into  any   town 
or  city,  the  chief  officer  of  the  place  was  required  to  deliver  hifti 
up  to  his  mafler ;  (b,  if  he  eloped   into  another   country,   he  was 
.to  be  burned  in  the  forehead   with  the  letter  F.     Whoever  ferved 
in  hulbandry  till  ,the  age  of  twelve,  was  to  continue  in  that  ftatiou 
•ever  after;  and  not  be  bound  or  put  out  to  any  trade,  or  artifice- 
By  another  aft,    12  Richard  II,   /7««^  1388,  no  artificer,    labourer, 
or  fervant,  was  allowed  to  pafs  from  one  hundred  to  another,  with- 
out a  permit   under  the  king's  feal,  unlefs  fent  on  bufinefs  by  his 
lord,  or  mafter,  on  pain  of  being  fet  in  the  flocks,  and  compelled 
to   return.      But  the  moft  remarkable  badge  of  fervility  was  ira- 
fofed,  in  the  iftof  Edward  VI,  by  the  ftatute  againft  vagabonds; 
which  adjudges  them  abfolutely  and  exprefsly  flaves ;    iafli£ls  fe- 
deral   violent  puni(hments,  by   beating,    chaining,    &c.    to  force 
them  to  work  for  their   owner;  puniflies  run-aways,  for  the  firft 
offence,  by  branding  on  the  cheek  with  a  red-hot  iron ;  and,  for 
the  fecond  offence,  by  JealL      This  law  likewife   empowers  the 
mafter  to  put  an  iron  ring  about  his  flave's  neck,   arm,  or  leg,  for 
iafercuftody;   aad  lays  a  penalty  of  10/.  on  any  perfon  taking  it 
off  without  the  matter's  confent,     A  man,  detaining  or  harbouring 
another's  run-away  (lave,  knowing  him  to  be  fuch,   is  made  liable 
to  an   zGtiou  of  trcfpafs,  and  10/.  damages.     The  fervice  of  fuch 
flaves  might    be  hired  out,    fold,  or  bequeathed,    as   any    other 
moveable  goods  and  chattels.     And   any  fuch  flave,   conipiring  to 
murder,    kiil,  or  maim,  his  mafter  or  miftrefs,  or  to  bum  their 
houfes,  barns,    or  corn,   lying  in  wait  with  a   weapon,  or  com«- 
mitting  any  overt  adt  leading  to  fuch  cfFeft,  was  to  fuffer  death  as 
a  felon.     If  the  father,  mother,  nurfe,  or  bearer  about,  of  a  child. 

**  And  wbereas,  among^  other  laws  pailed  in  Jamaica  the  jth  of  April»  1683,  an  ai£l  for  i«ga-. 
^  Ittting  ilavea  was  tranfmitted  unto  hk  late  majefty,  wh6  did  not  ibink  fit  to  confinn  the  fame)  by, 
**  reafon  of  a  claufe  therein  contained,  whereby  fuch,  as  wantonly  and  wilfiifly  kill  a  Ncgioe, 
*^  are  only  liable  to  a  fine  and  three  months  imprifonments ;  which  penalties,  not  being  equal  to 
**  the  guUt,  might  encourage  the  wilful  (bedding  of  blood ;  for  which  it  is  neceffitfy  fiune  belter 
<<  provifion  be  made,  to  deter  all  perfbns  from  fuch  a£h  of  cruelty;  you  are  therefeie  to  figalfy» 
^  the  fame  unto  the  next  a^mbly,  and  further  propofe  to  them  the  eiuiding  a  driver  daiife  im 
^  that  behalf»  which  may  be  fit  fer  our  royal  confinnation.**  The  law  is  certainly  not  yet  knm^ 
enough  in  thb  leijpeft. 

adjudged 


BOOK    nL      CHAP.    V.  495 

adjudged  a  flave,  ihould  fteal,  or  entice,  away  fuch  child  from  its 
mafter;   fuch  father,  mother,  &c.  were  to  be   adjudged  flaves  to 

Schchild^s  mafter  for  ever.     I  think  the  v/ord  Jlave  occurs  no  left^ 
an /^/rf^^i]g^i&/ difierent  times  in  the  courfe  of  this  ftatute.     But 
this  is  not  the  only  inAance  of  legidative  barbarity  at  home.    In 
the  13th  of  Elizabeth,   15719  upon  reading  a  bill  then  before  the 
houfe  for  fuppreflion  of  vagabonds,    Mr  Sandys   endeavoured  to^ 
prove  the  above-mentioned  law  of  Edward  VL  to  be  too  (harp  and' 
bloody,  ftanding  much  on  the  care  which  is  to  be  had  for  the  poor.T 
Wilfon,  mafter  of  the  requefts,  argued  thus:  that  poor,  of  ne-r 
ceffity,  we  muft  have ;  and  as  true  it  is,  that  beggars  by  God's ; 
word  might  not  be  among  his  people,  ne  Jit  mendicans  inter  vos ;. 
that  it  was  no  charity  to  give  to  a  ftranger ;  and  that  even  as  thieves . 
did  the  Greeks  judge  of  them.      In  the  following  year,  the  law/ 
pafled  which  enadled,  "  that  every  perfbn  above  the  age  oi  fourteen^, 
**  being  taken  begging,  or  going  about  as  a  vagrant,  ihould,  for  the. 
«  firft  offence,  be   grievoufly  whipped,    and  burned  through  tliei 
«*  griftle  of  the  right  ear  with  an  hot  iron  of  an  inch  compafs;. 
w  and,  if  of  eighteen  years  of  age,    if  he  afterwards  fall  into   a: 
«  roguilh  life,,  to  be  adjudged  a  felon.^'    A  ftatute  of  8  Elizabeth,, 
c.  3,    enafled,    that  perlbns,    bringing,    delivering,,  fending,    re- 
ceiving,  or  taking,  or  procuring  to  be  brought,.  &c«.  into  any  ihip,. 
or  bottom,  to  be  carried  out  of  the  kingdom,  any  ram,   (heep,  or 
Iamb,  alive,    (hould,  for  the  firft  ofience,  forfeit  all  their  goods 
for  ever,  fuffer  a  year's  imprifbnment;  and  at  the  year's  end   have  • 
their  left  hands  cut  off  in  a  market-town,  to  be  there  publi'ckly 
nailed  up;  and,  for  the  fdcond  offence,  fhould fuffer. death.    The. 
modes  of  puni(hment  in  the(e  ftatutes,  and  the  general  provifions 
contained  in  the  ftatute  of  Edward  VI,  have  fo  near  an  affinity  to « 
the  Barbadoes   law  refpeding  Negroe  flaves,  as  to  leave  fcarccly 
any  doubt  but  that  the   IcgiflatAire  of  that  iftand  tranfcribed  from . 
thefe  frcoedcnts,  which  they  "found  in  the  mother  ftate.     At  the 
time  we  firft  entered  on  «he  fettlemcnt  of  Barbadoes,  the  ijiea  of. 
jSavery  could  hardly  be  excinguiihed  in  England ;  the  firft  emigrants 
to  the  Wcd>Iadies,  it  is  natural  to  think,  carried  with  them  {bciM 
prejudices  in  favour  of  the  villeinage  iyftem,  fo  far  as  it  might  feeai. 
to  coincide  with    the  jgovcroment   of  JNegroe-labourers,      They, 

perceived 


4^6  JAMAICA.,. 

perceived  very  ftrong  traces  of  it  in  the  before-cited  ^atutes ;  and 
the  expediency  and  propriety  of  rigorous  penalties,  •  were  pouitcd 
out  to  theoi,  from  time  to  time,  after  the  reigti  of  Elizabeth,  bv 
the  ftar-chamber  judgements.  Many  other  veftiges  befidee  re- 
mained ftill  frefli  in  the  mother-country,  which  were  fupported 
by  Jaw;  in  the  regulation,  difciplme^  and  punifliment  (for  ex- 
ample) of  vagabonds,  of  labourers,  of  apprentices,  of  foldiers, 
feamen,  the  workers  in  coal  and  faltmines;  all  which  favoured 
much  of  the  antient  coercions  under  which  they  had  lain,  and 
which  indeed  to  the  prefent  hour  have  been  little  more  relaxed,  ex- 
cept by  mitigating  the  cruelty  of  fome  punifhments,  and  giving  a 
protection  in  life  and  limb  againfl  wanton  violences,  which  in 
tjruth  is  no  contemptible  triumph  over  the  extreme  feverity  of 
their  primitive  bondage.  The  penal  laws  in  England  were  always 
fanguinaryi  and  flill  retain  this  favage  complexion;  which  has 
given  occafion  to  an  ingenious  author  to  aflert,  "  that  they  feetn 
^«  rather  calculated  to  keep  Jlaves  in  awe,  than  to  govern  freemen  ; 
**  they  fecm  to  contradiA  all  notions  of  juftice,  and  confound  all 
*<  diftindions  of  morality.  By  the  ignominy  they  irnpofe  in  many 
*«  cafes,  they  bend  the  mind  to  the  loweft  (late  of  fervitude;  by  the 
^  rigour  thay  iiidifcriminately  inflift,  they  adopt  the  principles  of 
«*  defpotifm,  and  make ^Jr^jr  the  motive  of  obedience  [2]  .•* 

One  of  the  greateft  imputations  againft  the  Negroe  laws  is,  that, 
ki  many  cafes,  they  leave  the  punifliment  to  be  iuflided  arbitrarily 
by  their  judges.  This  is  precifely  adopted  from  the  law-martial^ 
enafted  for  the  difcipline  of  the  fleet  and  army,  which  leaves  the 
punifliment  to  be  invented,  as  well  as  proportioned,  by  the  court. 
The  Negroes  in  our  colonies  might,  perhaps,  have  fared  better,  if 
their  maflers  had  taken  the  Athenian  flave  code  for  their  guide, 
inftead  of  ranfacking  the  flatute-law  of  England  for  modes  of 
judging  and  cbaftizing  them.  But  the  idea  of  aflimilating  to  the 
pradice  of  the  mother-ftate  influenced  them  to  this  conformity  in 
thofe  points,  which  perhaps  lefs  merited  their  imitation  than  any 
other.  It  was  a  further  difad vantage,  that  the  firft  form  of  govern- 
ment, exercifed  in  thefe  colonies,  was  of  the  military  kind;  whofe 
iandions  did  not  tend  in  the  leaft  to  diminifli  their  judicial  afpe- 

[%1  Confideradoos  on  Crimina]  Lair, 

3  rity. 


BOOK    IIL  .  CHAP.    V-  '497 

rlt/.  The  Africans,  firft  imported,  were  wild  d^d  favage  ta  an  ex- 
treme: their  intraftable  and  ferocious  tempers  iiaturally  provoked 
their  mafters  to  rule  them  with  a  rod  of  iron  ;  and  the  earlicft 
laws  enabled  to  afFedl  tHem  are  therefore  rigid  and  inclement,  eveiv- 
to  a  degree  of  inhumanity.  By  what  means  it  happened,  that, 
from  the  firft  colonization  in  the  Weft-Indies,  this  race  of  men 
were  fo  degraded  as  we  find  them,  is  not  entirely  clear.  The 
Englifh,  probably,  did  no  more  than  follow  the  fteps  of  the  Portu- 
gueze  and  other  nations,  who  had  begun,  long  before^  to  trade  in 
Negroes  as  a  commodity,  and  to  hold  them  as  mere  chattels  and 
moveables.  Perhaps  the  depravity  of  their  nature,  much  more 
than  their  colour,  gave  rife  to  a  belief  of  their  inferiority  of  in* 
ttllcdi ;  and  it  became  an  eftabliftied  principle  to  treat  thole  as 
brute  beafts,  who  had  fo  little  pretentions  to  claim  kindred  with 
the  human  race,  except  in  the  ihape  of  their  bodies,  and  their 
walking  upon  two  legs  inftead  of  four.  However  it  might  bc^ 
certain  it  is,  that  the  planters  of  that  age  thought  it  no  greater 
crime  to  kill  a  Negroe,  than  to  knock  a  monkey  on  the  bead. 

So  foon  as  the  African  trade  became  a  national  concern,  from  its 
importance,  the  parliament  of  Britain  fell  in  with  the  general  idea, 
and  confidered  Negroes,  purchafed  from  that  continent,  as  a  lawful 
commercial  property  ;  and  this  in  fo  ftrong  a  fenfe,  that  the  grcateft 
oppreflion,  under  which  our  Negroes  in  the  iflands  at  prefent  la- 
bour, arifes  materially  from  the  ordinance  of  that  ftatute  [a]j  which 
declares  them  to  be  as  houfes,  lands,  hereditamentSt  afiets,  and 
peribnal  eftate,  transfer rable,  and  amenable  to  payment  of  debts 
due  to  the  king  or  his  fubjefts.  Since  the  major  part  of  thefe  Ne- 
groes, efpecially  in  the  older  colonies,  by  having  been  born  and 
trained  up  in  them,  have  appeared  more  humanized  than  their  an- 
ceftors,  the  laws*  in  thefe  places  have  worn  a  milder  afpefl: :  yet, 
as  thoufands  are  every  year  introduced  from  Guiney,  who  differ 
not  at  all  from  the  earlieft  imported  in  barbarity  of  manners ;  fo 
the  fcverity  of  the  firft  inftitutions  has  ftill  been  retained  in  feveral 
reipe£ls,  which  chiefly  afFe£t  the  Blacks  of  this  clafs,  although  all 
are  equally  bound  by  them  without  exception.  This  obfervation 
leads  me  to  enquire,  whether  fbme  diftin£tion  might  not  be  taken, 

[tf]  5Gco«  II.  c.  7*  and  likewife  13  Geo.  III.  Ct  14. 

VoL.lL  S  s  s  by 


408  /J  .A    R'  A    I    C  .A. 

• 

by  our  colony-laws,  foetvvcen  the  native  or  Creole  Blacks  and  the 
imported  favages ;  at>d  whether  the  laws  might  not  be  mitigated 
in  favour  of  the  farmer  claTs,  and  (without  a  weak  or  efS^minate 
indulgence)  be  (b  tempered,,  as  to  make  their  iervitude  approach 
near  to  a  well-regulated  liberty*  This  would  confift  in  giving 
them  fuch  a  fecurity  for  life  and  limb,  and  fuch  an  attachment  to 
the, place  of  their  birth,  as  may  ferve  to  fweeten  their  toils,  and 
engage  them  by  the  ftrongeft  ties  to  be  faithful  fervants  and  de- 
fenders of  the  country.  All  puniftiments  by  mutilation  (hould  be 
xitterly  aboliflied  and  prohibited,  becaufe  they  are  fcandaloufly 
cruel,  not  warranted  by  neceffity,  norjuftified  by  utility;  for  it 
cannot  be  proved,  that  they  are  more  efFeftual  than  more  humane 
methods;  and,  when  the  laws  of  any  country  either  drftate  fuch- 
inhumanities,  or  connive  at  them,  they  lend  encouragement  for  in- 
dividuals to  feed  a  bloody  and  vindictive  fpirit,  which  is  difgraceful 
to  the  members  of  a  civilized  focJiety. 

The  punifliment  by  whipping  fhould  be  brought  within  fome 
limit;  fo  that  overfcere  might  not  with  impunity  tranfgrefs, 
through  the  heat  of  rage,  a  fit  degree  of  juft  corredion ;  and  as  the 
degree,  fo  the  tnjlrumenty  fliould  be  afcertained,  and  none  permitted 
which  may  lacerate  or  disfigure  the  body. 

A  white peribn»  found  guilty  of  wantonly  murdering  a  Negroe, 
ihould  be  adjtidged  a  felon,  and  fuffer  death  If  conri6Ved  of  wan- 
tonly maiming ^r  difmembering  (death  not  enfiiing),  and  the  owner 
be  the  offend^rv  the  (lave  fo  maimed  (hould  be  adjudged  to- enjoy  his^ 
freedom,  befides  a  co'mpenfation  for  his  maintenance,  if  he  (hould  be 
fo  difabled  as  to  be  inciapable  of  earning  a  livelihood.  But,  if  the 
offence  fhouH  be  committed  by  another  ptrfon,  fine  and  impri- 
fonment,  with  an  adequate  fatisifaftion  in  mroney  to  the  owner, 
may  be  thought  no  inequitable  punKhmetit. 

The  penalty  of  death  for  running  away^  or  abfenting  for  a  certaia 
fpacc,  (hould  be  commuted  to  fome  mrldcr  for  the  firft  oiFence; 
and,  for  the  fecond,  tranfportation :  but  the  inveigling,  harbour- 
ing, and  couicealing,  fuch  fugitives,  might  remain  under  the  (ame 
rigorous  penalties  as  at  prefent. 

The  fevereft  puni(hment9  ought,  in  juftice  and  policy,  to  fall  oub 
lebels,^  murderers^  confpirers   againft  the  public  tranquillity,    in- 
cendiaries^ 


BOOK    III.      CHAP.    V.  49^ 

cendiaries,  and  rioters;  runaways,  found  carrying  unlawful  wea- 
pons; and  fuch  as  ftubbornly  and  wilfully  rcfufe  to  labour ;  for  it 
\s  in  confident  with  the  general  welfare,  that  any  (hould  be  rebellious, 
guilty  of  outrage  and  violence,  idle,  or  vagrant- 
Lenity  in  fome  points,  rigid  feverity  in  others,  protection  to  the 
well-difpofed,  and  difcouragement  to  thp  abandoned  and  difaifeded, 
might  prove  the  means  of  polifliing  tJ^eir  manners,  inciting  them  to 
induilry,  and  enfuring  their  voluntary  obedience.  But  nothing 
would  more  effedually  operate  to  thefe  purpofes,  than  the  admitting 
ibme  alteration  in  the  prefent  laws  for  recovery  of  debts. 

I  have  already  pointed  out,  that  making  Negroes  liable  to  be 
feized  for  bond  and  fimple  contract  debts,  and  hurried  from  one  part 
of  the  if  land  to  another,  conftitutes  the  chief  oppreiiion  undet 
which  they  labour ;  renders  their  fervitude  more  bitter,  and  into-* 
lerable ;  and  produces  a  very  great  annual  lofs  to  the  public,  by  the 
mortality  which  it  occafious. 

I  am  feufible,  that  the  exigency  of  commercial  contracts,  and  the 
mixt  nature  which  the  laws  of  commerce  have  adigned  to  Negroes, 
combat  ftrongly  againft  an  alteration.  But  the  law  of  humanity, 
and  the  general  intereft  of  the  ifland,  plegd  more  forcibly  in  favour 
of  it ;  and  fince  the  utmoft  a  creditor  can  defirc,  is  the  payment  of 
his  debt,  or  asgoodfecurity  for  it.a5  his  debtor  can  give,  no  injury 
is  done  him,  by  changing  aa  opprefiive  mode,  for  one  that  is 
not  fo. 

If,  for  example,  Negroes  were  made  gleh'o  adfcnftilii^  affixed 
to  the  foil,  and  only  liable  to  pafs  with  it ;  it  is  evident,  they  ftill 
might  pafs  in  defcent,  or  payment  of  contrafts,  or  ip  falc.  If  bonds 
and  fimple  contrafts  were  left  tp  take  their^  remedy  folely  againft 
other  perfonal  aflets,  or  againft  the  produce  of  the  Negroes  labour  ; 
or,  thefe  proving  deficient,  that  then  the  whole  .eftate,  land,  and 
Negroes,  were  liable  to  be  fold  colledively,  for  yielding  full  fatif- 
fadion ;  would  the  bond  or  fimple  contra<5l  creditor  be  put  into  any 
worfe  fituation  than  a  mortgagee,  who  has  at  prefent  identically 
the  fame  remedy  ?  Perhaps  no  fcheme  might  anfwer  the  intention 
better,  than  the  committing  debtors  eftates  in  trujiy  as  I  have  pro- 
pofed  in  the  courfe  of  this  work :  a  variety  of  plans  indeed  might  bd 
formed,  for  faving  the  creditor  harmlefs;  none  however  could  be 

S  (  f  2  carried 


50O  JAMAICA. 

carried  into  execution,  unlefsthe  a£l  of  parliament,  before  cited,  was 
firft  new  modeled,  and  Negroes,  more  efpecially  the  natives  of  our 
iflands,    diftinguifhed  fome  degrees   above  (heep  and  oxen.      To 
make  this  improvement  ih  the  fyftem  of  our  colony  laws,  were 
furely  not  unbecoming  that  liberal  fpirir,  which  dignifies  the  prcfent 
age:  but  the  reform  (hould  begin  at  home;  and  doubtleis  would 
without  difficulty  be  aflented  to  by  parliament,   if  the  provincial 
aflemblies  were,  upon  the  conviction  of  its  utility,  to  facilitate  their 
concurrence,  by  fubftituting  an  equivalent  fecurity  to  the  creditor. 
The  circuity  of  adion  and  delay,  that  attend  recovery  of  mortgage 
debts,  might  probably  be  abridged,  and  mortgage  deeds  be  made  as 
negotiable  in  commerce,  and  as  fummary  in  their  procefs,  as  com- 
mon bonds;  nor  is  there  any  juft  reafon  to  be  aiCgned*  why  that 
mode  of  fecurity  ihould  not  then  be  given  for  a  debt  of  fifty  pounds, 
as  well  as  for  five  hundred  pounds ;  in  the  colonies,  many  obflacles, 
that  prevail  in  the  mother  country,  are  removed  at  once  by  the  office 
where  fuch  contracts,  and  their  affignments  from  hand  to  hand,  are 
duly  regiftered.     So  long  as  Negroes  are  fevcrable  from  the  land, 
every  colony  is  retarded  in  its  progrefs  j  for,  as  I  have  before  re- 
marked,  it  matters  not  (in  a  general  view)  how  often  the  owner  fhip 
of  a  Weft-India  eftate  changes  hands,  prcvided  the  Negroes  pafs  with 
the  land\  but  it  is  their  feverance  from  it,  which  is  effentially  a  de- 
preciation of  both,  and  extremely  hurtful  to  the  progrefs  ofinduftry 
and  fettlement  in  thefe  iflands,    particularly  in  Jamaica,    where 
property 

^*  pundlo  mobilis  horae 

*<  Nunc  prece,  nunc  pretio,  nunc  vi,  nunc  morte  fupremS, 

**  Permutat  dominos^  et  cedit  in  altera  jura  f3].** 

"  Shifting  every  hour, 

**  By  gift,  by  purchafe,  force,  or  fate*s  commands, 

**  Changes  its  lord,  and  falls  toother  hands.** 
To  afcertain  the  Negroes  who  (hould  pafs  in  this  manner,  would 
not  be  difficult ;  fince  every  planter  and  landholder  might  be  com* 
pelled  to  deliver  annually  to  the  juftices  and  veftry  upon  oath,  a  lift 
of  the  ffegroes  bond  fide  belonging  to,  and  fettled  upon,  his  refpedtive 
buds;  and  where  any  doubt  or  difpute  might  arife-,  tht  onus probandi 

W  HorlBb^aEpiftJi. 

might 


BOOK    III.      CHAP.     V.  501 

might  lie  on  the  landholder*     It  i^  true,  it  may  be  faid,  that  every 
landholder  has  the  remedy  at  prefent  in  his  own  liands;  he  has  only 
to  make  his  contrafts  by  mortgage,  inftead  of  bond  or  note  ;  but  the. 
prolixity  of  mortgage  deeds,  which  enumerate  all  the  parcels  of  pro- 
perty, and  contain  a  multitude  of  covenants  and  claufes,  make  them 
lefs  convenient  for  ordinary  tranfaftions  in  borrowing  and  lending, 
efpecially  for  fmallfums;  perhaps  foch  deeds  might  be  fliortened 
without  lofing  their  efficacy ;  but,  if  this  be  impracticable,  we  mufl 
then  turn  back  to  the  firft  propofition,  in  regard  to  bonds,  and  give 
them  effedive  operation  againft  the  planter^s  cattle,  furniture,  and' 
implements,  or  (thefe  failing)  againft  the  annual  produce,  by  f-- 
queftration,  until  they  are  fully  fatibiied.     The  iniquitous  advan- 
tages which  have  been  taken  of  the  laws^  as  they  now  ftand,  are 
innumerable:  among  the  multitude  of  planters,  Ibme  will  be  found, 
whofe  hearts  are  petrified  with  avarice,  and  rapacity ;.  whole  viewa 
all  center  in  felf ;  and  who  foar  around  with  the  keen  appetite  of 
vultures,  feeking  whom  they  may  devour*     I  remember  one  of  thefe 
harpies,  who,  in  wder  to  ftock  his  eftate  with  feafbned  Negroes,, 
went  fyftematically  to  work.     He  engaged  the  deputy  marshal  in  his 
intereft,  and  having  bought  up  judgements,  extant  againft  feveral 
inferior  fettlers  in  his  neighbourhood,  caufed  their  flaves  to  be  levied 
otr,  and  fold;  he  himfelf  was  the  underhand  purchafer,  and  thus, 
found  means  to- advance  his  own  fortune,  upon  the  certain  ruin  of 
many   induftrrous  fettlers,  who  threw  up  therr  lands  after  being 
ftrippedof  their  hbourers;  and  this  furniihcd   him  with  a  further 
opportunity  of  driving  advantageous  bargains,,  by  engroffing  tlie  con* 
tiguous  acres  at  a  cheap  rate; 

The  fallacy  of  their  opinion,  whb  fuppofe,  that  no  ha^rm  is  done 
by  thefliifting  of  property,  may  be  demonftrated  in  numberlefs  in* 
fiances  more  than  I  have  already  given ;  and  they  all  tend  to  prove 
thefe  maxims:  «' That  changing  the  property  of  lands  from  ono 
•*^  owner  to  aaother,  canr  be  of  no  mjury  to  this  iflhnd,  in  hindering 
•*^  the  fettlement  and  improvement  of  thofc  lands,  fuppofing  the.  (kilt 
**  in  huft>andry  pretty  equal  at  an  average. 

**  But  changing  the  property  of  labouring  Negroes  from  one' 
*^  owner  to  another,  living  in  different  places,  obftruSs  the  fettle*- 
«*ment  of  lauds;,  turns  thofe  already  fettledanto  ruinate;  leffens  the 

**  number* 


^oz  JAMAICA. 

^  number  of  planters,  diminidies  the  ftock  of  labouring  Negroes, 
^^and  produces  a  certain  lofs  to  the  community  in  various  ways/' 

Tiiere  is  every  year  a  certain  number  of  thefe  negroes,  wbo(e  la- 
bour (if  I  may  fo  exprefs  myfelf)  is  in  abeyance^  from  the  timeof 
heir  being  taken  upon  a  wxit  of  venditioni^  to  the  timeof  their  being 
being  brought  to  a  regular  courfe  of,  work  again,  at  the  place  to 
which  they  are  removed  by  their  purchafer.  The  number  of  flavcs  (b 
levied  on,  one  year  with  another,  I  compute,  upon  the  beft  grounds, 
four  hundred  ;  and  that  their  lofs  of  labour  is  equal  at  leaft  to  one 
month  each  in  the  year,  without  taking  into  account  the  time  fre- 
quently fpent  in  their  concealment,  to  prevent  their  falling  into  the 
marfhaPs  hands.  In  feven  years  the  account  will  therefore  ftand  thus : 

T      .   ,  ^  XT  o      r  Value  of  loft,  com- 

Levied  \  Negroes  2,800  ,  .  * 

Lofs  of  labour;       /Months  puted    at    leaft     at 

L  04,000/.  currency. 
Of  thefe  Negroes,  it  is  not  eafy  to  difcover  how  many  perifti  by 
.chauge  of  place,  nor  the  lofs  on  the  fale  fuftained  by  their  owners;  but 
the  latter  muftbe  confiderable ;  for,  at  an  average,  the  Negroes,  thus 
fold,  have  not  yielded  above  26/.  1030/.  trett,  which  probably  wa& 
not  more  than  one  third  of  their  real  worth,  or  what  they  would 
have  been  appraifcdat,  upon  their  fale  with  the  land. 

To  conclude ;  fince  Negroes  are  the  linews  of  Weft-India  property, 
jtoo  much  care  cannot  be  taken  of  them  i  and  it  well  becomes  a 
Chriftian  legiflature,  at  the  fame  time  that  it  conforms  its  policy  to 
what  may  refpedt  their  health,  and  ability  for  labour,  to  foften  by 
every  reafonable  means  the  obduracy  of  their  fervitude,  fo  as  to  make 
them  forget  the  very  idea  of  flavery  ;  together  with  this,  I  acknow- 
ledge that  ftri6l  juftice  and  equitable  inftitutions  ought  to  guarrantec 
all  legal  .contrafts  entered  into  either  by  the  planter,  or  the  merchant, 
or  other  individuals :  but  if  the  rigorous  exadions  of  payment  can 
admit  of  any  alleviating  ngieafures ;  if  lands  can  -be  made  more 
jtransferable  by  writ  of  filegit,  or  other  fcheme  of  extent^  or  bonds 
and  fimple  contrail  debts  be  payable  by  other  means,  than  hauling 
the  Negroe  labourers  from  one  part  of  the  country  to  another,  tear- 
ing them  from  their  fettlement  and  family,  aggravating  the  hardfliip 
of  their  condition,  apd  obftrufting  the  population  and  culture  of  the 
ifland ;  it  well  defer ves  the  interpofition  of  legiflatiye  wifdom  and 
humanity,  to  amend  the  law,  to  let  juftice  flow  in  a  fmooth  eafy 

current^ 


current,  or  to  rcftrain,  where  it  tranlgrenes  its  bounds.  It  has 
been  the  opinion  of  very  fenlible  writers,  that  the  intereft  of  our 
colonies  demands,  that  the  Negroes  (hould  be  better  treated,  and 
even  raifed  to  a  better  condition ;  this,  however,  muft  be  undcrftood 
with  fome  exceptions  againft  the  imported  Blacks,  whofe  favage 
manners  render  them  incapable  of  thofe  benefits  confident  with  the 
fafety  of  the  colonies,  which  perhaps  might  be  granted  to  the  natives 
or  Creoles,  to  a  certain  limit,  without  any  ill  confequence.  Some 
medium^  it  is  faid,  might  be  ftruck,  between  liberty,  and  that  ab- 
folute  flavery  which  now  prevails;  in  this  medium  might  be  placed 
all  Mulattos,  after  a  certain  temporary  lervitude  to  their  owner ;  and 
fuch  native  Blacks,  as  their  owners,  for  their  faithful  fervices,  fhould 
think  proper  to  enfranchife.  Thefe  might  have  land  allotted  to 
them,  or  fome  fort  of  fixed  employment,  from  either  of  which  they 
{hould  be  obliged  to  pay  a  certain  moderate  rent  to  the  public. 
Whatever  they  acquired  beyond  this,  to  be  the  reward  of  their  in- 
duftry.  The  neceiTity  of  paying  a  rent,  would  keep  them  employed; 
and  when  once  men  are  fet  to  work  through  ncceffity,  they  will  not 
flop  there;  but  will  gradually  ftnve  for  convenieiicies,  and  fome- 
even  for  fuperfluities.  All  this  muft  add  to  the  confumption  of 
raanufaftures,  and  the  cultivation  of  lands  ;  and  the  colonies  wouM 
be  ftrengthencd  by  the  addition  of  fo  many  men,  who  have  an 
intereft  of  their  own  to  fight  for. ' 

It  becomes  the  gentlemen  of  Jamaica  to  fet  the  example,  and 
raife  their  ifland  to  the  faine  rank  of  fuperiority  in  riie  wifJom  and 
mildnefs  of  its  laws,  as  it  already  enjoys  in  its  extent  and  opulence, 
above  the  other  Britifli  territories  in  the  Weft- Indies  ;  let  them 
boldly  purfue  every  meafure,  which  will  tend  to  multiply  their 
people,  or  to  ftrengthen  their  country  againft  foreign  enemies;  let 
^era,  in  order  to  prevent  domeftic  ones,  conciliate  the  attachment  of" 
their  Negroes  by  prote<ftion  and  encouragement^  rather  than  £eek  to 
exaft  an  involuntary  obedience  by  aufterity  and  terror.  In  the 
diftribution  of  our  gratitude,  we  are  bound  to  beftow  fome  '{hare  oi* 
thofe,  whom  God  has  ordained  to  labour.  The  juft  fubordinatlon, 
within  the  line  of  which  our  Negroes  muft  be  kept,  does  by  no 
means  difpenfc  with  our  loving,  and  treating  them  humanely.  We 
are  obliged  to  it,  both  from,  reafon  and  felf-intereft  ;  bodily  ftrength, 
5  auj£ 


504  JAMAICA. 

and  their  adaptation  to  the  climate,  would  enable  them  to  pafs  from 
the  loweft  to  the  higheft  ftations,  and  give  the  law  to  their  maftcrs, 
if  they  were  willing  unanimoufly  to  attempt  it;  but  when  thole 
who  fill  the  loweft  rank,  are  ufed  with  equity  and  benevolence,  fo 
far  from  becoming  dreadful,  by  flocking  together  in  order  to  trample 
upon  us,  they  comply  with  whatever  we  require  of  them;  they  offer 
themfelves  willingly  to  be  our  defenders,  and  are  themfelves  the 
inftruments  made  uie  of  to  reftrain  one  another  within  the  bounds 
of  their  allotted  condition.  Among  all  the  nations  of  antiquity, 
ilaves  were  no  where  treated  with  greater  humanity  than  at  Athens, 
fo  celebrated  for  the  wifdom  of  its  laws,  and  the  refined  manners  of 
its  inhabitants. 

Their  flaves  had  an  a£):ion  againft  their  owners,  for  ads  of  outrage 
and  ill  ufage;  if  the  fa£t  was  proved,  the  owner  was  obliged  to  fell 
his  (lave,  who  while  the  procefs  depended,  might  retire  into  an 
afylum  appointed  to  fccure  him  from  all  intermediate  violence  [r]« 
The  liberty  of  which  the  Athenians  were  fo  jealous  was  not  inter- 
.dided  to  their  flaves ;  the  latter  were  authorized  to  purchaie  their 
/reedom.,  in  defpite  of  their  owners,  whenever  they  had  amafied 
the  fum  which  the  law  had  fixed  for  that  purpofe.  It  was  not 
feven  unufual  for  a  patron,  who  was  content  with  the  fervices  of  his 
Have,  to  grant  him  his  liberty  for  a  reward;  this  was  a  ftate  of 
fervitude  fo  mildly  regulated,  that  it  difi^red  but  little  in  eflentials 
from  abfolute  freedom.  Let  the  planters  copy  from  this  bright 
example,  as  far  as  prudence,  and  the  difpofition  of  Negroes,  can  ad- 
mit ;  if  the  native  flaves  in  our  colony  can  with  fafety  be  brought 
under  an  enlarged  degree  of  protedion,  and  fecured  by  rational  pro- 
vifions  from  violence  and  barbarity ;  or  be  permitted  to  redeem 
themfelves  from  perpetuity  of  fervitude,  with  the  fair  and  honeft 
earnings  of  their  private  induftry  ;  it  ieems  highly  jufl,  humane, 
and  politic,  to  favour  them  s  that  their  allegiance  to  the  country 
and  white  inhabitants,  may  be  more  firmly  engaged;  after  obtaining 
their  freedom,  it  flill  remains  by  legal  regulations  to  enforce  their 
employing  themfelves  in  fomc  honeft  courfe  of  livelihood ;  they 
will    then  contribute  largely  not  to  the   flrength   alone,  but  to 

[c]  This  refemUes  the  procefs  under  the  antient  EnglUh  writ  de  Uhertate prt^anda^  pending 
which,  theyilleioy  laying  daim. to  fteedomy  was  protected  fiom  the  vexation  of  the  fuitorwhp 
challenged  him* 

the 


BOOK  m,    CHAP.  VI.  505 

the  wealth  an4  profp^rity  of  the  ifland,  d,nd  to  the  profits  of 
Great  Britain, 


C    H    A    P. 


VI. 


Regulations  for  preferving  Health  in  JAMAIQA. 

SEC'     T*       I»  . 
Place  of  HABITATIO^r  and  AIR. 

ft 

OBSERVATION  of  the  cfFeds  which  the  change  feom  a  cold 
to  a  hot  climate  produces  on  hard  inanioiate  fubftances^  iiicb  as 
wood,  iron,  and  the  like,  muft  naturally  teach  us  to  exped,  that  the 
iiuman  body,  a  fyflem  of  tubes  and  glands,  or  matter  delicately  of« 
ganized,  cannot  pafs  rapidly  from  the  one  to  tjie  ot^er,  without  being 
affeded  in  a  proportionate  degree. 

As  the  heated  air  between  the  Tropics  ads  upon  xnet^ls  by  expaQ- 
iion ;  ib,  when  it  ads  upon  the  hunutn  body»  it  relaxei  ,the  folid  parts, 
and  rarefies  the  fluid,  increafes  the  velocity  of  the  blood's  circulation^ 
caufes  an  unufual  discharge  of  the  bile,  and  a  regurgitation  of  it  into 
the  ftomach,  violent  acute  pains  in  the  head,  loathing  of  food,  and 
ficknefs ;  hence  feverifli  difordecs  may  enfue,  which  would  be  fooa 
and  eafily  cured,  if  no  other  predifpofing  caufes  fupervened* 

The  authors,  who  have  treated  on  this  fubjed  with  moft  difcern- 
ment,  agree  pretty  uniformly,  in  afcribing  the  malignancy  of  Weft  In« 
dia  fevers  to  a*  vitiated  air,  either  at  fea,  or  on  (hore. 
*  At  (ea,  occafioned  by  noxious  exhalations,  raifed  during  long  con- 
tinued calms,  when  the  wato-,  notibeing  agitated  as  i^ual  by  the  trade 
winds,  is  fubjed  to  become  corrupt  near  the  fur&ce^  where  it  is  leia 
charged  with  fait,  to  {N^eferve  it  £rom  ftinking. 

On  (hore,  by  the  like  eidialations,  excited  by  the  heat  c^  the  itui^ 
from  foul,  oozy  fliores,  the  naufeous  ftagnant  water  of  lagoons,  and 
the  fetid  mud  or  foil  of  low,  fwampy  grounds* 

This  morbid  air,  admitted  into  the  lungs  and  circulation,  may  in*» 
duce  a  difpoiition  to  putrefcency,  and  render  thoie  diforders  of  the 
frame  malignant,  which  otherwife,  perhaps,  the  efforts  of  nature  alone, 
'  or  but  flightly  affifted^  might  have  thrown  off*  . 

V6l.il  Ttt  Such 


5o6  JAMAICA. 

Such  an  air  may  therefore  be  confidered  truly  poifenom  to  the  hixw 
man  conftitution ;  for  which  reafon,  a  firft  and  principal  caution  is, 
to  avoid  it  as  much  as  poffible ;  or^  at  Icaft,  to  correft  its  baneful 
quality,  or  tendency^  as  much  as  may  be,  by  fiiitable  antifeptic  re- 


As  we  remark,  that  water,  whether  on  fiiore,  or  in  the  ocean,  will 
grow  corrupt  in  this  climate,  if,  for  any  length  of  time,  it  is  not  put 
in  motion ;  ib  the  fluids  in  the  human  body  will  become  putrefcent, 
if  due  exercife  is  too  long  neglefted  :   hence  we  may  conclude,  that 
habitual*  indolence  and  inadivtty  are  likewife  to  be  reckoned  among 
the  predifpofing  caufes  of  bad  fevers,  in  a  hot  climate.     There  ai>e 
prafHcal  irregularities  in  regard  to  the  reft  of  what  phy (icians  have 
called  the  non-naturals^  which  may  tend  either  to  generate  or  exaipe^ 
rate  fuch  fevers,  and  which  I  (hall  occafionally  advert  to.     Men  who 
commit  thefe,  fin  with  their  tjts  open :  but  from  the  evils  of  a  nox^ 
ibus  atmofphere;  numbers  cannot  fly,  by  realbn  of  the  duties  of  Ser- 
vice, and  the  exigencies  of  bufineis.    I  (hall  tfaereCbre  give  a  firft  atten- 
tion to  the  injuries  deriveable  from  this  iburce;  and,  bringing  together 
fuch  general  remarks  on  the  means  of  (hunning  or  counterading  them, 
as  gentlemen  of  the  faculty,  the  moft  eminent  for  their  (kill  and  kuow/* 
ledge  in  the  fubjeA,  have  beneficently  given  to  the  public,  apply  them 
more  particularly  to  this  ifland.     In  this  detail  I  (hall  endeavour  to 
fecond  the  humanity  of  their  defign ;  claiming  indulgence,  at  the  &me 
time,  for  thofe  fupplemental  precepts  and  ftrt6iures  which  may  be  intet- 
fperfed,  and  meant  to  correfpond  to  the  fame  view* 

The  ingenious  Dodor  Ltnd  remarks,  that  tytvy  country  has  its^ 
healthy  and  unhealthy  fituations  i  and  he  infiances,  in  refped  to  the 
former  clafs,  the  ifland  of  Portfea,  near  Portfmoutb,  and  the  town  of 
Brading,  in  the  ifle  of  Wight ;  he  might  have  addfe^  tbp  iparfhes  of 
Kent,  Effex,  Lincolnfbire,  and  Camhridgefhire,  and  perhaps  fome 
other  ^ts  in  England*  Inthe- Wefl  Indies  fuchJow  fwampy  fpots 
are  flill  more  fatal ;  and  they  are  infefied  with  mulkeetos,  which  fceqi 
as  if  placed  there  by  the  hand  of  Providence^  to  aflaul{  with  their 
flings,  and  drive  away,  every  h.uman. being,,  who  njfty  ignorantly  ven- 
ture to-  fix  his  abode  among  them.  It  is  mofl  dangerous  to  pafs  tl|e 
night  in  fuch  places,  and  i%  is  at  fuch  tiqiip  that  tbefe  iqfedts  coiled  in 
fw.irms,  and  make  war  on  every  daring  intrudor.  In  fome  parts  of  the 
3.  South 


BOOK  III.    CHAR   VI.  tcY 

South  American  continent  the  torments  they  infiided  were  fo  intole- 
rable, that  many  houfes,  and  even  whole  villages,  were  obliged  to  be 
deferted  by  the  Spaniards  and  Indians ;  of  which  UUoa  gives  an  ac« 
count,  who,  in  his  paijage  from  Guayaquil  to  Caracol,  fuffered  inesi:* 
prefiibly  from  the  multitudes  which  infefied  the  marfliy  banks  of  the 
river  of  Guayaquil,  infomuch  that  their  ftings  penetrated  through  all 
his  cloathing,  and  would  not  permit  him  to  take  one  moment^s  repofe^ 
Such  places  in  Jamaica  are  to  be  deemed  unfit  for  refidence  ;  but,  in  fo 
extenfive  an  ifland,  we  meet  with  few  of  them  in  proportion,  nor  does 
it  abound  with  fituations  that  can  be  juftly  ftigmatized  for  a  natural 
infalubrity. 

There  arc  various  reafons  to  be  ailigned,  why  the  inhabitants  of 
this  ifland  were  formerly  affli£ted  with  frequent  vifitations  of  epide* 
mic  ficknefs.   When  Europeans  reforted  hither  in  great  numbers,  they 
were  crowded  into  two  towns,  and  inconveniently  accommodated.  A 
buccaneering  intercourfe  fubfided  with  the  baleful  coafts  about  Cartha« 
gena  and  Porto  Bello.     In  1671,  when  the  fleet  commanded  by  Sir 
Henry  Morgan  returned  from  that  coaft,  his  crews  brought  with  them 
the  malignant  fever  of  Porto  Bello,  and  the  greater  part  of  thejn  died  of 
it ;  the  contagion  fpread  to  thofe  on  (hore,  where  it  produced  a  terri- 
ble mortality.    In  174 if  a  very  great  ficknefs  prevailed  here  from  a 
iimilar  diforder,  imported  by  the  troops,  on  their  return  from  the 
Carthagena  expedition ;  and  the  like  had  happened '  before  in  1 7041 
when  admiral  Neville's  iquadron  was  on  this  ftation.     The  houies 
were  inconveniently  built,  the  difeafes  of  the  Weft  Indies  were  very 
little  underftood,  and  fuch  contagious  diftempers  were  often  fatal,  for 
want  of  thofe  remedies  which  were  afterwards  invented.     Many  lives 
muift  have  been  loft,  by  thefe  putrid  fevers,  before  the  Jcfuits  bark 
was  broi^t  into  general  nie,  or  copious  bleeding  exploded ;  hundreds 
periflied  by  the  ravages  of  the  finall  poz,  before  the  art  of  inocula** 
tion  grew  into  praftice ;  multitudes  have  been  formerly  ftifled  to  death 
in  this  climate,  by  confinement  in  clofe  hot  rooms,  under  loads  of 
bed-cloaths,  and  poilbned  with  their  own  atmoiphere,  while  the  frefti 
air,  which  was  their  beft  remedy,  was  moft  induftrioufly  excluded. 
Nor  is  Jamaica  fingular  in  having  fuftered  great  depopulations  by  pefti- 
lential  maladies,  imported  into  it  firom  other  parts.     In  1 69 1,  the  ifland 
of  Barbadoes  "was  invaded  with  a  contagion,  brought  by  an  Englifh 

T  1 1  2  fleet, 


sot  JAMAICA. 

fleet,  which  continued  to  rage  there  more  or  left  for  twelve  years, 
and  fwept  off  above  a  third  part  of  the  white  inhaibitants.  In  die 
year  1 740,  the  South  Sea  galleons,  having  touched  at  Guayaquil^  in 
order  to  fecure  their  treafure,  on  account  of  the  war  between  Spain 
and  Great  Britain,  brought  with  them  a  putrid  malignant  fever,  which 
had  never  been  known  at  that  place  before,  and  numbers  died  of  it : 
it  is  needlefs  to  multiply  examples  of  what  muft  have  happened  to 
every  country  carrying  on  any  confiderable  trade ;  this  caufe  is  very 
diftin£l  from  local  maladies,  excited  and  nouriihed  by  fomething  per- 
nicious to  human  health,  in  the  foil  or  atmofphere*  In  regard  to 
the  latter,  a  foreigner,  fays  Lind,  who  fixes  his  abode  on  a  iickly  fpot 
in  England,  as  for  inftance  at  H///ea  Barracks^  muft  not  call  the 
climate  of  England  unhealthy,  becauie  he  fufiers  from  the  difadvan* 
tages  of  a  bad  iituation ;  fo,  to  apply  this  remark  to  Jamaica,  an 
Gin-opean,  who  fixes  his  refidence  at  Greeawich  ttear  Kingfton,  or  in 
the  near  neighbourhood  -of  a  lagoon,  ought  not  to  reckon  the  cli« 
mate  t)f  this  ifland  unhealthy,  becaufe  he  has  fufiered  by^an  injudicioiis 
thoice.  The  faft  really  is,  as  before  has  been  fbted,  that  Jsealt^y  as 
well  as  unhealthy  fituations  are  to  be  fcnmd  in  tH  countries  ^  biit 
thit  the  EngFiih,  for  the  convenience  chiefly  of  thcdr  tiiade,  and  fome- 
fifties  through  ignorance,  have  generally  fixed  on  the  moil  unwliole* 
fertfid  fpatSy  for  the  fituation  of  their  towns  in  the  Weft  Indies*  The 
tf^Ithy  air  of  Barbadoes  is  owing  to  that  xflaikl^s  being  entirely 
<:kteit%d  of  wood  ;  but  the  principal  town  titere  is  fixed  00  «  fwamp^ 
and 'therefore  perhaps  incwably  unhealthy.  Baffe-Terrc  «  St.  Kitts, 
St.  John^s  in  Antiguit,  are  not  lefs  fo,  and^  as  I  am  infosimed,  from 
«he  like  reaibn  [^7]. 

The 

'•*t*5lneheyear  1766,  fflttecn  French  Protdhint  6milii»,ix>rtfiSfl5iig<)fj£r/v  perfcns,  were  fcnt, 
at  the  expence  t>f  goveftimetit,  to  tVift  fiafii/41;  the  gmund  allotted  for  tkeir  reiideace  was  oa  the 
iide  of  a  hWl^  furrvufnic/i  witJj  marjbesy  at  the  triOuth  of  the  river  BcanAim^  Thefe  new  fettlers  ar- 
fivcd  in  winter,  and  continued  healthy  till  the  fickly  months,  wliich  in  that  country  are  tbofe  of 
y£y  and  Av^uft;  during  thefc  twb  months  theannual  fever  <tfthtit  dtmate  proved^  fatal  to-tfacm, 
fhat,  of'tbe  fist^  only  Jhuftten  furvived ;  and  even  this  fniaU  remnant^were  all  in  a  had  ilace  of 
health  in  Septea^^  and  moft  of  them  died  in  a  few  months  afterwards.  Such  cataftrophes  are 
ihocking ;  efpecially  when  we  confider,  that  if  thefe  induftrious  people  had  been  fixed  on  a  healthy 
fpot,  not  incommoded  with  the  malignant  vapours  of  a  fwampy  foil,  they  might  ^avc  lh«d  many 
years,  and  covered  a  large  diflridl  with  their ^oApriog.  Kaim  ^tvts  another  infianbe-of  fu^h  Jaad 
iituations»  in  the  little  town  oiSakm^  la  Peniylvania,  adjacent  to  which  are  fbme  very  low  fwampy 
meadows.    They  who  come  hither  from  other  parts  acquire  a  very  pale  fickly  look^  idOioU^  they 

CDJoy 


BOOK   IIL    CHAP.   VT.  sog 

The  general  proofs  of  an  unhealthy  fituation,ui  this  climate^  are, 

Firftt  Sudden  alterations  in  the  evening  air,  from  ilifling  heat,  to 
a  chilling  cold ;  this  is  perceived  foon  after  funfet,  and  is  accompanied, 
with  a  very  heavy  dew,  which  indicates  a  fwampy  unwholefome  foil. 

Secondly,  Thick  noiibme  fogs,  arifing  after  funfet,  from  mud* 
flime,  and  other  impurities,  having  fomething  of  thefcent  of  anew- 
ekanfed  dkch. 

Thirdly,  Innumera}>)e  fwarms  of  large  muikeetos,  flies,  and  other 
infed^,  which  attend, putrid  air  and  low  un ventilated  places,  where 
they  dhlight  to  breed* 

Fourthly,  Where  -  butchers  meat  is  foon  corrupted,  and  in  a  fpw 
isoiirs  becomes  tainted  and  fidl  of  maggots ;  and  where  wounds,  nearly 
brought  to  heal^  fuddesly  break  out  afreib,  attended  with  great  pu- 
trefaditm  of  the  part^. 

Fifthly,  Where  a  dead  corpfe  becomes  intolerably  ofienfive  in  leis 
than  fix  hours. 

Sixthly,'  Where,  by  the  fobfidence  of  t^^e  water  in  dry  weather^ 
the  channel  of  any  t^ver  is  left  bare  to  the  fun,  and  emits  a  difagree- 
bk  fmelU  by  mght  as  wpll  as  fay  day,  fronx  putrid  iUi6e,  dead  fifl) 
and  ixifeds,  and  other  corrupted  A^bftances* 

In  funmier  nights,  the  body  is  moft  llajble  to  feversi  becaufe  of  the 
iterations  of  the  ^ir ;  for,  <ki  the  begi99ipg:  of  the  ^ight,  it  is  fultry  $ 
in  the  middle,  xnMt  temperate ;  ^ndj  tow^ifds  -the  mornitigy  cool :  by 
which,  tbe^cufioQBcd  flow  of  peripiration  is  checked  in  time  qf  fleep^ 
by  throwing  off -the  doHriiSi  This  is  confir^ned  by  all  who  travel  Jui 
hot  climates ;  iluiden  a^d,  after  war;i[itb,  makps  a cfawge  in,^e  b^bit, 
hy  repelling  the  tranipirmg  :{tean>s^ .  whiph  were  copioufly  riiing^  in 
l:hefeiclim8tes,  therefore,  it  laa?;^  the  mo^S^ty  ;to  cov^er  the  body>  wheti 
fbe  no^timaS  dews  happen,  Jefi  |he  pOi?^?  0iauld  be  too  iiiddenly 
cloied,  which  might  produce  fevers  ^  ^iwo/tA,  I^Vidp 

The  detcv,  whaick  is  moft  nn wbokfome  and  <langecous^  is  that  whi(^ 
xifes  imperceptibly  from  the  leauth  after  Aii^fet»    Tinis  may  eafily  be 

eujoj  ever  To  perfed  healtli,  and  luiely.cclourf  at  ibQtr  £rft.ai:rivs4t  ,  1^  thf  m&nth  oSMf^  a  nvdib 
diragree^Ie  flehe^t  anno^it  fcotn  the  ik^amps  ^  ^hcrputQid  yapo^rsi^teiw^^J^upp^i?  ^He  inhal^itants, 
and  are  inhaled  into  their  bodies  together  wrtth  the  air  whicn  ttey  b^the*  At  fhe-ehd  or  every -fum- 
mer  they  are  fure  to  be  afili^ed  with  internunent  fevers.  A  young  couple,  who  came  paflengers  with* 
Kahftp  Via\Xr  &oxi  ^ter  their  arrival  at  PJula^elphia,  inj>erfed  health  to  Salem ^  but  in  a  few  weeks 
^hey  both  fell  lick,  and  died  before  the  winter  was  half  over.  lAliOt  atrndi^here,  fo  impregntited 
with  putrid  particles,  and  watery  vapours^  cannot  fail  of  producing  dhutiioeaS|  dyfenteries,  flusd. 
\;^.(iua  kuads  of  putrid  and  hialiguant  fevers. 

colle£ted^ 


»/ 


Sro  JAMAICA. 

collefted,  by  inverting  a  bowl,  or  glafs  tumbler,  and  placing  it  on  a 
flick,  with  the  mouth  about  half  an  inch  from  the  furface  of  the  ground. 
After  fixing  it  thus  at  funfet,  if  it  be  examined  about  midnight,  it 
will  be  found  entirely  covered  within  with  watry  globules,  like  the 
cover  of  a  boiling  kettle,  while  the  outfide  perhaps  is  barely  moift.    But 
if  fuffered  to  remain  the  whole  night  in  this  poiition,  the  condenied 
vapour  of  the  earth  precipitating  towards  morning,  in  the  cool  hours 
before  fun- rife,  will  cover  the  outiide  alfo  with  the  like  app*arance. 
I  have  frequently  obferved,  that,  in  Kingfton,  there  isfometimes  no 
dew  at  all  perceptible  in  the  morning ;  at  other  times,  after  heavy  ihowers 
in  tbe  Liguanea  mountains,  and  a  brifkland  wind,  it  has  been  very  co- 
pious. In  the  former  cafe,  which  happened  in  dry  weather,  there  either 
was  no  reek  or  perfpiration  from  the  earth  of  the  ftreets,or  the  atmofpherc 
above  continued  in  too  warm  a  ftate  during  the  night  to  condenfe  any 
vapours  which  might  afccnd.  In  general,  I  think  it  may  be  concluded,  that 
it  is  not  wholefome  to  be  much  abroad  in  this  climate  after  dark,  at 
f eaft  without  due  precaution  of  putting  on  additional  cloathing. 

The  beft  prefervativc  againft  the  mifchievous  imprefSons  of  a  pu- 
trid fog,  a  fwampy  or  marfliy  exhalation,  is  a  clofe,  (heUered,  and 
covered  place^  fuch  as  the  lower  apartments  in  a  fliipi  or  a  houfe  which 
has  no  doors  nor  windows  facing  the  fwamp.  If,  in  fuch  place,  a  fire 
i>e  kept  either  at  the  doors  or  other  inlets,  as  is  pra£tifed  in  fome  un* 
healthy  countries  during  their  rainy  or  noifbme  foggy  feafbn,  theie 
iires,  together  with  the  fmbak,  prove  an  excellent  fafeguard  to  thole 
within,  againft  the  injuries  of  a  vitiated  atmofphere. 

The  ctifiom  of  the  Negroes  in  this  refpcfti  perhaps,  may  conduce  as 
much  asany  thing  to  their  enjoying  health  in  fuch  mar/hy  foils,  when 
white  perfons  are  afleded  by  the  malignant  effluvia,  and  contrafb 
licknefsi  fetv  of  their  huts  have  any  other  floor  than  the  bare  earth, 
which  mi^ht  poffiUy'tranfmit  noxious  exhalations  in  theniglit,  if  they 
did  not  keep  up  a  conftant  fire  in  the  center  of  their  principal  room 
or  hall ;  \he  fmoak  of  which,  though  intended  to  difperfe  the  mufkeetos, 
has  another  good  effect,  the  correAing  the  night  air,  and  diiarming 
it  of  its  ^mp  and  chill,  which  might  be  prejudicial  to  their  healths  [^]. 

In 

m  Dofbr  Tr4fbam  /jpeskt  ^  the  fame  effisA :    '*  Though  water  is  a  moft  neceAry  conveni- 

'^  ^ncyv  and  its  plenty  and  goodnefs  a  ^;reat  accommodation  to  the(e  iettlements ;  yet^  as  the  air 

^  itfclf  is  very  moift,  we  ought  to  covet  as  diy  a  liVing  as  may  be,  and  tberefibie  not  to  lodge 

, )  •♦  •urfchts 


i 


BOOK   III.    CHAP.  VI.  5ir 

In  fuch  low  ipots,  even  in  this  climate^  the  chill  and  denfity  of  the 
air  is  fuch,  as  to  render  the  breath  vifible  early  in  the  morning,  a  cisf^ 
cumftance  which  is  not  obferved  in  other  parts  of  the  lowlands. 

Unwholeibme  fogs  in  Jamaica  are,  fuch  as  emanate  &om.  lagoons 
and  marfliy  foils  ;  but  they  are  not  common..    The  fogs  of  Sixteen- 
mile*malk,  and  fome  other  places  among  the  mountains,  are  not  un^^ 
healthy,  nor  have  they  any  ill  fisiell..    Thole  who  inhabit  places  where 
iait  or  unwholefome  marflies  are  formed  by  frequent  inundations  of 
the  fea,  or  where  the  (hores    are  lined   with  flinking  ooze  or  mud, 
and  aquatic  plants  of  a  noi(ious  quality,  ought,  during  the  fickly  fea^ 
(bns,  to  retire  into  the  country  at  (bme  diftance.     The  iafeft  retreats 
are  to   be  found  on  the  fides   of  hills  or  mountains,  whene  there 
are  no  moraiies  within  three  miles ;    preferring  aMb  thoie   fituations 
which  are  not  afleAed  by  vapours  fpringing  from  the  circumjacent 
valleys,  at  leaft  in  their  perpendicular  afcent.     Experience  confirms 
the  fad,  that  in  fuch  elevated  fituations,.  where  the  foil  is  dry,  and 
clear  from  wood  and  ftagnant  water,  Europeans  enjoy  good  health,, 
in  the  very  botteA    climates,  during  all    feafons  of  the  year :  but, 
if  perfbns  will  obftinately  run  the  hazard  of  their  life  and  healthy  by 
remainifig  all  night,  or  deeping  in  unhealthy  places,  they  cannot  ex« 
pedt  to  reap  the  benefit  of  fafety  and  iecurity  from  a  healthy  air  in. 
tlieir  neighbourhood. 

In  every  ifland,  perhaps,  fuch  aiylmns  may  be  found,  where  the 
BIT  proves  healthy,  and  reftorative  to  European  conftitutions. 

The  iilaud  of  Dominica  is  in  moft  places  woody  and  unhealthy^ 
yet  there  were  feveral  French  families  in  it,  who,  by  fixing  their  re?* 
fidence  on  the  fides  of  hills,,  lived  exempted  from  the  attack  of 
agues  and  fevers,  the  difeaies  common  there ;.  and  thus  enjoyed  as 
good  a  ftate  of  health  and  confliitutioo,  as  if  they  had  been  in  France. 

The  beft  fituation  for  a  change  is,  where  the  heat  of  the  d^y  felp 
dom^^  exceeds  70  on  Fahrenheit's  thermometer,  and  where  the  cold 
of  the  night  i?  not  more  than  16  degrees  lower  on  the.  fame  fcale,, 

**  Ofurft^es  or  fcrvants  receptive,  of  addltionar water  from  ponds  or  rivers;  for  I  have  oblenred 
L^  it  matter  of  fktV,   where  fuch  care  hath  been  omitted,  more  livea  thao  elfeWhere  have,  beon 
^  flopded  into  Sfyx.    Befided  its  great  preiervation  ih  this  refpe^,  a  dry  kxl^ring,  remt^dat  Uifft' 
•*  ome  Jtoty  fro/H  the  ground^  is  approved  the  bell  fecurity  of  our  white  fenrdnts ;  as  for  the  Negroes, , 
••-though  their  lodging  be  near  the  ground,  they  force  off  the  moifturcof  the  canh  by  tkeircoiir- 
L**  ftant  fires,  and  t  h^^by  become  healthy/ ■  E,  a  7.        ' 

ort 


$fi  J    A    MA    L   C    A. 

or  at  54  ;  where  tbc  ground  is  cleared  from  wood  and  builuM ;  btt 
110  ftagnating  water  upcm  or  near  its  furface ;  ivbere  the  foil  h 
fertile,  and  favours  the  cultivation  of  European  piauts,  and  thf 
fa^th  of  European  animals ;  and,  ladly,  where  (heep»  bitMight  from 
England  or  Noith  Anierica^r  ftill  retaio,  v^itfaout  incaiivenience»  ^ 
Aeecy  covering.  There  are  ipots  of  grouod^  io  all  the  mountainp 
sold  hills  adjacent  to  the  tsowiis  in  Jamaica^  whkbsL  hy  ioduftry  aod 
sxiltivation^  might  be  converted  into  the  moA  healthy  and  delighc- 
iul  rural  retirements.  In  fuch  places,  on  tboie  eminences  where 
at  prefeot  the  chillnefs  of  the  evening  renders  a  firecomfortable^ 
^nd  requifite  to  an  European  conftitutiom.  the  improveli&ent  of  the 
foU  would  gradually  mend  the  quality  of  tjke.air.  Gentlemen, 
who  can  afford  to  keep  a  horfct  or  carriage,  after  doing  bulinefs 
in  Kingfton,  or  oriier  maritime  towns,  mighty  before  funiet,  return 
£0  fuch  a  healthy  and  pleafant  country  feat  a$  is  here  recomqaended, 
making  the  precaution  of  never  deeping  elfewhere  during  a  (ickly 
ieaibn.  Thofe,  whoie  circumftances  and  bufinefs  will  permit,  ihould 
retire,  eipecially  in  the  night-fea(bn,  to  fuch  places  for  health,  un^ 
tii  they  grow  inured  to  the  climate ;  and  others,  who  cannot  afibrd 
-this  precaution,  or  whole  affairs  will  not  admit  of  it,  (hould  be 
immediately  removed  thither  when  taken  ill*  Should  the  change 
of  air  not  produce  an  inftantaneous  recovery,  it  will  at  leaft  miti-* 
gate  the  fy  mptoms  of  the  diibrder ;  and,  the  uie  of  medicines  being 
attended  with  more  efficacy,  a  patient  will  more  i^edily  regaia  a 
:v(gorou8  date  of  health.  When  a  peribn  is  feized  with  a  fever,  pro* 
needing  from  the  bad  air  of  any  place,  his  illneia,  whilft  he  ooo- 
tinues  there,  is  daily,  nay  ixourly,  aggravated,  and  reinforced,  by  a 
HTonftant  application  of  the  morbid  caufe.  In  this  iituation,  thcbeft 
medicines,  even  the  bark,  have  been  ineffectual  in  relieving  the  pjif- 
tient,  whilft  thus  inceffantly  expofed  to  the  (burces  of  his  difeafe. 
They  who  labour  under  fevers,  fluxes,  and  other  dife^fes  of  th&iike 
'violent  nature,  may  be  removed  with  the  greateft  fafety  for  change 
of  air.  Such,  therefore,  as  are  taken  ill  during  the  rage  of  any.  epi- 
demic, (icknefs,  fliould  be  carried  immediately  into  a  purer  air,  to 
fome  diftance  beyond  the  reach  of  infedion ;  and  frequently,  in  thefe 
cafes,  this  is  a  certain  and  immediate  cure  of  itfelf:  fo  in  176^, 
when  a  mortal  ficknefs  raged  on  ihore  at  Peniacola^  the  icrfiws  of 

the 


I 


ine  men  or  war,  lynug  at  a  mne  s  aiitance  rrom  cno  rown,  cnjoyea 
the  >  moft  perfe£l.  health;  and  fuch  patients,  who,  after  their  being 
feized  with  the  fever  on  (hore*  were  carried  on  board  fliip,  prefexitly 
recovered ;  the  diforder,  by  change  of  air,  foon  loft  its  alarming 
iymptoms,  and  was  eafily  fubdued  ;  nothing  is  more  certain,  than 
that,  the  fea  air,  and.fea  breezes,  in  this  part  of  the  world,  are  fpegir 
fics  for  the  removal  of  malignant  diforders  contrafted  from  a  vitiated 
atmofphere  on  the  land.  I  (hall  now  apply  thefe  remarks  more 
particularly  tojamaica.  The  fituation  of  Spanifh  Town  is  healthy  ; 
it  has  no  marihes  about  or  near  it;  and  the  rain  water  that  falls 
upon  it  is  drained  ioto  the  river  by  a  pretty  rapid  defcent.  Nothing 
more  is  needful  to  preferve  this  natural  falubrity  of  its  air,  than  a 
well-regulated  police,  under  the  controul  of  the  magiftrates,  who 
ihould  provide,  that  the  flreets  and  environs  be  kept  clear  from 
filth,  and  all  putrid  fubftances,  which  might  breed  antioyance.  The 
air  of  all  the  Tropical  countries  is  moft  impure,  immediately  before 
and  after  the  periodical  feafons ;  and,  at  fuch  times,  the  greater  cau- 
tion muft  be  ufed  to  avoid  catching  colds,  which  may  produce  in- 
termittent, or  fbmetimes  remittent,  fevers.  At  fuch  times,  or  when 
any  epidemic  diflemper  of  a  contagious  nature  is  by  accident  brought 
into  the  town,  the  adjacent  hills  afford  a  convenient  and  fecure  retreat. 
The  town  of  Port  Royal,  being  almoft  furrouuded  with  the  fea 
watef,  is  juftly  commended  for  the  falubrity  of  its  air,  a  certain 
proof  of  which  is  the  longevity  of  its  conflant  inhabitants. 

The  town  of  Kingfton,  lying  on  a  gravely  flope,  and  open  to 
the  iea  breeze,  would  probably  be  a  healthy  place,  if  it  was  not  ex- 
pofed  to  infectious  diforders,  brought  into  it  from  the  (hipping ;  yet, 
when  any  fuch  malady  begins  to  rage,  the  (ick  might  always  find 
a  falutary  retreat  among  the  Liguanea  Hills.  I  have  already  (poken 
of  the  barrack  at  Stoney  Ridge^  in  St.  Andrew's ;  the  neighbourhood 
of  this  place  would  doubtlefs  be  very  well  adapted  for  a  retreat  from 
contagion,  or  for  the  recovery  of  convalefcents  ;  nor  might  it  be 
a  lofing  projeA  perhaps  for  a  builder  to  purcha(e  land  here,  and 
ere£t  a  certain  number  of  commodious  houfes,  to  be  lett  for  this 
purpofe.  Society  might  allure  thofe  to  try  the  experiment,  who 
would  otherwi(e  be  averfe  to  it,  from  a  diflike  to  folitude ;  and,  in- 
deed, nothing  more  alleviates  the  diftrefs  and  dejedion  incident  to 

Vol.  II.  U  u  u  fevers 


514*  JAMAICA/ 

itvers  of  the  putrid  dafs^  than  chearfbl  company. '  The  fituation  of 
the  othfer  towns  is  but  indifierent  $  but  the  inhabitants  of  all  havtf 
their  places  of  retreat,  if  they  could  but  refolve  to  make  u(e  of 
them.  Fbr  Old  Harbour  there  are  the  Coat  Iflands,  and  the  Hilli 
bf  St.  Dorothy.  Savannah  la  Mar  is  at  nd  great  diftance  from  hills 
and  rifing  grounds ;  Lucea  and  Montego  Bay  are  furrounded  with 
high  lands  ;  at  the  latter  place,  in  particular,  the  flat  fpace  for  build* 
ing  is  fo  circumfcribed,  that,  as  the  town  enlarges,  the  houfes  mud 
be  built  on  higher  ground,  along  the  fides  of  the  contiguous  hill ; 
which  circumftauce  will  one  day  contribute  to  render  it  populous 
and  flourifliing.  The  lower  part  of  Kingfton,  next  the  harbour, 
having  been  founded  upon  foil  recovered  from  the  water,  is  too 
much  pent  up  with  the  (hipping  that  lie  near  the  wharfs,  and  with 
warehoufes  and  goods,  to  be  eligible  for  paffing  the  night,  Befides, 
the  mud  near  this  quarter,  whenever  it  is  difturbed^  either  by  the 
violence  of  the  furge  in  high  breezes,  or  by  the  oars,  poles,  or  boat- 
hooks  of  navigators,  is  apt  to  emit  a  very  putrid  and  unwholefome 
flench ;  futh  fituations  may  either  generate  bad  fevers,  or  exafperate 
tlie  (ymptoms  of  thoie  dilbrders  which  otherwife  might  eafily  be 
conquered. 

Throughout  this  itland,  wherever  we  turn  our  eyes,  it  appears  lb 
crowded  with  hills  and  rKing  grounds,  ventilated  always  with  a  free 
and  falubrioiss  air,  that  we  caniK>t  but  condemn  thofe  perfbns,  who 
chufe  low,  damp,  and  fultry  hollows,  for  their  con flant  reiidence; 
and  who  often  fuffer  from  the  ill  effe^s  caufed  by  fuch  fituations^ 
without  difcerniug  the  real  fource  of  their  bad  health  :  but  in  time, 
perhaps^  when  the  importance  of  this  matter  comes  to  be  more 
feriouily  attended  to,  the  planters  will  allow  more  weight  to  thofe 
particulars  in  the  Gecoix)mLy  of  health ;.  which  reafon  and  experience 

combine  to  recommend. 

Thofe  whom  fortune  has  bled  with  abundance,  fliould  be  ftudi- 

ous  to  preferve  the  lives  of  their  dependents,  whoie  poverty  perhaps 

is  their  greateft  crime.   The  cruelty  of  expofiiig  the  lives  of  men  to 

ficknefs  or  cleath,  by  reftridling  them  to  dwell  in  wretched  hovels, 

and  on  unhealthy  fpots,  needs  only  to  be  pointed  out,  inorder  to  be 

relieved.  The  natural  generofity,  and  benevolent  ditpofitjon,  of  the 

planters  wHl  immediately  lead  thena  to  adminifterlhe  certain  remedy, 

3  «  although 


BOO  J5    flL    C  H  A  P^    VI.  sf$ 

idthough  it  mzj  hfi  aUeo4^4  ^  ^^^  ^^b  fomc  eXftraordipary  e;cpepce 
to  t^em*  Tfae  babitations  of  their  whit^  fervaat?  (hould  l^o  fi^M 
i^  giry,  dry,  apd  elevated,  ipot$,  raifibd  feme  feet  abo^ve  the  furfacp 
Qjf  fyp  ^arth,  fiooreijl,  and  conftf  uded  either  of  tiixiher  ^i;id  plaide;*^ 
«9r  brick,  but  nf ver  (if  podible  to  avoid  it)  of  ilpne  ;  which  if  f 
very  ipnprop^r  wa^erial  in  thU  clioiate  for  dw.elJiu)g-houie?,  oo  2Cr 
cou^t  of  the  d^ixip  <vid  diill  which  it  ftrikes  in  rainy  we^er ;  hut, 
wheuever  it  is  uoavoiidably  u^ed  for  fuchhuijdinjgs,  the  e^ei^^xnay  be 
readered  lefs  pernicious,  by  furroupdiog  them  with  a  fixed  or  pi* 
azza,  or  iiaing  the  walls  with  boards,  or  lath  and  plaiftert  fet  offt^ 
/uch  a  diftance  as  to  let  the  atr  circulate  betweejii. 

Tlie  like  precautions  muft  be  ufed  in  the  eftabli/hmeat  of  lyhite 
£unilte$^  if  the  fpirit  fhould  ever  revive  pf  introducijig  and  fettling 
them  in  the  ifland.  The  place  allotted  for  their  habitjation  (hould  b^ 
ilony^  gravely,  or  at  leaft  dry,  open  to  the  wkid,  and  reoiote  froqi 
the  annoyance  of  vapouri^  fwamps,  pr  ftagnant  waters. 

It  may  happen,  that  many  peribns,  from  the  urgeiit  natyre  of 
their  employment  and  ^rcumftances,  jqfiay  be  obliged  to  remain  itf 
unhealthy  iituations ;  in  this  cafe  they  muft  ufe  the  heft  means  ia 
their  power  to  guard  them£edves  from  the  local  mifchiefs  to  which 
they  may  be  occaGonally  expofed.  Such  perfons  (hould  (leep  in  the 
higheft  apartments  of  their  houfe,  whofe  doors  and  windows  ought 
to  be  fb  contrived  as  not  to  front  or  open  towards  a  damp  £)il  or 
inar(h.  At  tbo(e  feaibns  of  the  year  when  fwampy  exhalations  are  - 
.moft  to  be  dreaded,  as  after  heavy  rains^  and  great  heats  fucceeding, 
fires  made  in  the  evening,  and  early  in  the  morning,  with  lignuip 
yitse,  eafbarilla,  candle  wood,  and  other  redno^s  woods,,  or  fubftances, 
would  be  very  ferviceable.  A  Guiney  merchant  of  Kingfton,  whole 
Negroes  were  feized  with  the  fmall-ppx,  then  raging  malignantly  in 
the  towOf  j>ut  them  all  into  a  warehouie^  in  which  was  lodged  str 
,  conliderable  quantity  of  pimouto^  for  exportation,  whole  odour  wa& 
So  powerful  as  to  fubdue  the  offenlive  ftench  of  the  dilbrder,  and 
refreOied  the  patients  fo  much,  that  they  all  got  through  it  (afely. 
But  of  all  aniifeptk  vapours,  nooe  is  fo  powerful  as  the  acid  fteam  of 
{burning  briipftone,  for  coiFre^ting  putrid  air,  and  checking  contagion. 

In  many  parts  among  the  mQimtains  I  have  known  houfes  upon 
elevated  fpots  not  unhealthy*  though  furrounded  with  woods.    The 

U  u  u  a  greatef 


5i6  JAMAICA. 

greater  coolnefs  of  the  air,  in  fuch  places,  and  their  difiance  from  any 
ftagnant  water,  or  fetid  ooze,  may  contribute  to  their  falubrity ;  -  the 
clearing  away  fuch  woods,  which  fcreen  the  lower  fituations,  and  itt- 
creafe  their  fultrinefs,  by  excluding  the  free  air  from  them,  will  ren- 
der them  more  habitable,  but  perhaps  not  add  much  to  the  healthtne^ 
of  the  former  ;  for  the  reafpn  why  the  mountain  woods  are  lefs  inju- 
rious than  the  clofe  thickets  of  the  low  lands,  is,  that  the  trees  ftand 
further  afunder,  fo  as  to  give  a  freer  paflagc  to  the  winds  and  vapours ; 
and  confift,  for  the  moft  part,  of  the  aromatic  kinds,  which  ferve  to 
cbrreft  any  noxious  exhalations,  with  their  fragrancy  and  perfume. 
Their  leaves  in  general  are  thick  and  firm ;  their  pores  extremely  mi- 
nute, and  filled  with  a  refinous  or  glutinous  juice  ;  by  which  means 
they  perfpire  lefs,  and  are  enveloped  with  a  lefs  baneful  atmofphere, 
than  the  trees  of  moift  and  low  grounds.  Pimento  walks  are  remark- 
ably healthful  for  refidencc.  Perfbns,  obliged  to  refide  upon  or  near 
marfhy,  unhealthful  fpots,  (hould  avoid  cxpofing  thcmfelves,  when 
fafting,  to  the  chills  of  the  morning  and  evening  air,  and  never  go 
abroad  with  an  empty  fiomach ;  but,  previous  to  their  labour,  or 
aniufement  abroad,  they  fliould  take  either  a  glafs  of  wine,  with  a 
*  *inice  of  bread,  or  drink  a  fmall  quantity  of  chamomile  or  bark  tea, 
or  of  an  infufion  of  garlic,  bark,  and  rhubarb  in  brandy  ;  which  may 
be  taken  either  alone,  or  diluted  a  little  with  fome  water,  before  they 
venture  out  in  the  morning. 

In  all  fuch  humid  fituations  fmo^king  tobacco  is  beneficial;  as  alfb 
a  more  plentiful  diet  of  fleflr,  with  wine,  and  the  peppers  of  the  coun- 
'try.  The'pit  of  the  ftdmach,  the  feet,  and  the  back  bone,  are  more 
particularly  to  be  guarded  by  coverings  of  flannel  or  cotton  ;  a  fijuare 
piece  of  thick  dimitty,  with  a  tape  ftirap  to  put  round  the  neck,  may 
be  worn  next  the'lkin,  to  cover  the  cheft  and  ftoniach.  This  has 
been  experienced  very  conducive  to  health,  in  fuch  places,  and  a  good 
preventative  again'ft  thofe  colds  arid  rheumatifms,  which  are  apt,  in 
thefe  climates,  t6  -fall  on  the  b6vvels,  and  caufe  the  belly-ach  ;  and, 
to  thefe  precautions  the  daily  ufe  of  bathing  may  be  added,  in  the 
forenoon,  when  the  ftomach  is  empty.  '  Strangers  newly  arrived  at 
Tuch  places,  or  thole  who  are  conftitutionally  fubjeft  to  agues,  (hould, 
during  the  fickly  feafons,  take,  every  other  night,  two  ot  three  fpoon- 
fuls  of  tinSlura  Jacra,  or  a  few  gram  :of  pilu/a  rufi^  not  Efficient  to 

purge. 


BOOKH.    CHAP.  VI.         .  517 

1 

purge,  but  only  to  keep  the  body  gently  open ;  and,  for  further  pre- 
vention, a  wina^afeof  the  ,[r]  infufion  of  bark  and  orange-peel,  in 
water ;  or  a  table  fpoonful  of  a  ftrong  [J]  tlnfture  of  bark,  in  fpirits, 
may  be  taken,  diluted  with  water,  occafionally,.  in  a  morning  before 
hreakfaft.  When  a  perfon  is  attacked  with  a  fit  of  fliivering,  or  the 
dulls  of  an.  ague,  be  oug^t  to  go  to  bed ;  and,  mixing  about  two 
ounces  of  lyhine^^ine.  vinegar  with  a  quarter  of  an  ounce  of  finely 
powdered  chalk,  Ihould  drink  them  immediately,  while  in  the  ftate  of 
efiervefcence.  This  /draught  generally  fliortens  the  cold  fit,  brings 
on  a  profufe  fwejjt,  and  may .  be  repeated  in  the  fubfequent  parox- 
yfms*  A  mixture  of  fait  of  wormwood  with  lime  or  lemon  juice, 
taken  in  it3  effervefc^nt^.ftate,  is  adminiftered  for  the  fame  intention; 
but  the  beft  f:ur§.foran  ague  is  the  preparation  fubjoined  in  the  note  [^], 
wtnch  has  rareljj  been  found  to.  fail  in  carrying  it  off. 

For  perfons  on  the  recovery  from  thefe  and  other  debilitating  mala- 
dies, in  thf  Weft  Indief,  no  food  whatever  contributes  more  or  fooner 
to  tbq  reftoKatlon  of  ftrength,  than  a  turtle,  or  fifh-diet,  or  nourlfliing 
fiflirfoup,  wgr^ped  .with  the  (jpices  of  the  country  ;  and,  if  neceflary, 
f  endeiiedjmofp  palatable  bjy  .thp  additiojii  of  a  little  juice  of  ripe  limes. 

It  has  becjfi  a  received  opinion,  that,  upon  change  of  air  from  a  cold 
*o  a  hot  climate,  the  firft.  fever  or  fit  of  ficknefs  alters  the  conftitution 
-of  the  body,,  fo  as  to  feafon  it' in  the  change;  and  that  fuch  a  ficknefs 
is  abfoluj:ely  neccffary  to.  feafon  and  accommodate  an  European  to  if. 
JBut  this  i?  fallacious;.  .       .  • . .  ,     . 

Qickncfs,  thqugh  often  primarily  caufed  by  the  alteration  of  climate, 
does  not  alwjgijjs  jidapt  the  body,,  nor  feafon  it ;  nor  is  it  abfolutely  ne- 
ccflary  for  tliat  purpofe...  .For  many  peVfons,  either  from  fome  con- 
ftitutional  ailmpn^,  fome  latent  prcdifpofing  fource  In  their  habit,  a» 
a  jfcorbutic  taint,  may  fuffer  reiterated  fits  of  IHnefs,  without  perceiv- 
ing, themfelves  better  rec^pncUed  to  the  change,  *  than  they  were  after 

■  ■  1^)  .^.Oufi  ounpc  pf.  bfuifeiba^).  I^I^C  •  ^,-9"^'^  ©^  four  orange  pe^l,  half  a  pint  of  boiling 
w^ter*  infafe  thefc  ineretlleiifi-,  and,  afrer  iuficring  them  to  fettle  for  fonie  time,  pour  off  the 
licjuor  jb  longj  as  it  runs  clear-       *•    ^  •    *  *. 

[r/]  ^.'  One  ounce  of  pounded  9X  hrulfed  bark,  eight  ounGed  of  Ffcncli  fpint  o£  ^irlne ;  let  it 
Ibpd  Ja  a  warm  place 'fv^ur  da^-?,  tl^a  tlrain  off,  and  bottle  itfor  ufe;  it  ninv  piove  naore  cffi- 
cacious  with  a  flight  addition  of  rhubnrb  ;  or,  ih  hot  temperaments^  a  wry  lirrle  nitre.    Liude.  * 

[<•]  gc.  Three  ■drat!Ttris  of  baric,  finely  powdtred^  one  Hradun:  and  Nlf  ojf  Venice  treacle, -the- 
juke  ol  «jue  ^d  half  cpmmos^tized  lemons,>  and  fb;taj[)lc  fpoonfuls  of  found  red  Port  wine ;, 
jpix  the  ingredients  well,  and  divide  into  three  .equal  parts*;  one  whereof  to  be  taken  at  morning, 
noon,  and  evening,' of 'the' well  dayv  on  an  cmptjr  •ftonrjocli.  Thifl^  doCeU  for  a  gsoWn  pf  rfon, 
and  limy  be  proportionably  lelTcned  for  thofc  of  tender  years« 

the: 


, 


I 


I 


51%  •  j[    A    M    A    I    C    A* 

tlie  firft  attack ;  many  ciAiets  (bfier  no  itlne^  at  «I1  from  the  clHng6» 
t)ut  bear  it  well ;  wliich  proves,  that  itcknefs  -or  a  fever  was  not  in- 
quired to  prepare  or  adapt  them  to  it.  The  fhorougk  and  praper 
feafomng  toluch  a  climate  is  brought  about  eSefihiaily  byrtnmtmg 
in  it  for  feme  length  of  time ;  and  a&  fudden  <lmngei  from  goU  to 
heat,  or  heat  to  cold,  prodace  neady  iimilar  «f&ds^  Thus,  if  500 
feamen  or  foldiers  pa{k  from  England  to  tht  Weft  Indies,  fettii^  jcoX 
in  very  cold  weatlier,  and  arriving  t!bere  after  a  tjnck  ^"Oyage,  anny 
of  them  will  be  fei2ed  with  a  diarrhaa,  and  wit!i  violent  and  mortal 
levers,  if  they  indulge,  ifbon  aiter  their  arrival,  in  rum  nn»ly  Jijtiiled. 
But,  if  the  fame  men  are  kept  at  fea,  and  the  (hip  does  not  put  into 
any  unhealthy  port,  during  the  fidcly  feaibn  of  the  year,  theie  men, 
sffter  being  twelve  months  in  the  Weft  Indies,  will  become  peifedly 
feafoned  to  the  climate,  and  enjoy  as  good  a  ftate  of  health,  asi  if  they 
were  in  England. 

So,  if  the  fame  men,  after  being  fbme  years  in  the  Weft  Indies,  are 
telieved,  and  arrive  on  the  Engfifh  coaft,  in  the  winter  ^ime,  they 
will  be  again  feized  with  diarrhceas;  the  cure  and  removal  of 
which  will  intirely  depend  on  keeping  the  patients  ^varm.  On  their 
change  to  the  hot  climate,  the  humours,  unable  to  pais  cfffiift  •enough 
by  the  outlets  of  perfpiration,  fail  on  the  bowels.  On  their  vet'un 
from  a  hot  to  a  cold  climate,  the  outlets  by  perfpiration  being  Sud- 
denly clofed,  the  humours  are  repelled,  and  driven  again  upon  the 
fame  parts ;  and  the  keeping  the  patients  warm  is  no  more  than  rep- 
ealling their  bodies  to  the  fame  glow  to  which  they  had  ^latdy  been 
accuftomed,  and  thereby  promoting  a  free  difcharge  by  the  fkin. 

It  has  been  obferved,  that  mulkeetos  are  intolerably  numerous  in 
thoie  places  in  the  Weft-Indies,  which  are  leaft  adapted  to  hu- 
man habitation.  They  are  found  in  the  greatefft  (warms  amoci; 
lagoons,  and  fwamps  on  the  fea  coaft,  and  in  little  creeks  ihehered 
with  mangrove  trees  ;  in  gullies  which  contain  any  ftagnant  water; 
in  puddles  on  the  flat  country  after  the  rainy  feaibns,  and  in  liver- 
courfes  in  dry  weather,  where  the  water  reft»  in  detached  hollows, 
and  becomes  corrupted  from  the  fermentation  of  aquatic  weeds, 
atid  fubfided  icum.  Sometimes,  I  have  known  them  driven  from 
their  fkulking  holes,  by  the  violence  of  ftrongiea  breezes,  to  a  con* 
tiderable  diftaace  up  the  country;  but  in  general  among  the  moun- 
tain^ 


principally  troublefbme,  and  in  fwarms,  after  the  periodical  rains, 
when  the  lowlands  are  drenched  with  water,  and  full  of  little  pud- 
dles, where  cheie  inlets  depoiite  their  eggs,  and  multiply  the  breeds 

They  are  therefore  no  pofitive  harbingers  of  unhealthy  Jpots,  ex- 
■  cept  where  they  are  found  at  all  fedfons  of  the  year ^  in  the  greate/i, 
abiMtUnc6\  fuch  are  the  places,  where  they  can  enjoy  a  warm 
atmolphere,  and  water  undifturbed  by  rude  winds.  They  are  found 
in  the  moft  healthy  Situations ;  they  fwarm  in  all  the  provinces  of 
North  America,  and  even  in  Canada  in  the  fummer  time ;  but  it  is 
very  certain,  that  in  thofe  countries,  as  well  as  the  Weft-Indies,  they 
are  moft  numerous  in  the  loaft  healthful  parts ;  and  that  the  fummer 
iealbn  is  the  moft  fickly  time  of  the  year  in  North  America,  Thefe 
infefts  canr^ot  exift  long,  nor  propagate  their  ^cies  well,  without 
ftagnant  water.  Dry  weather,  dry  expofures,  and  a  cool  air,  are 
equally  oUioxious  to  them;  their  ^vonrite  haunts  therefore,  and 
fuch  as  feem  moft  to  proaiote  their  multiplication,  arc  to  be  rejected 
as  the  leaft  fit  (in  proportion)  for  mankind  to  inhabit,  at  leaft 
during  thoie  months  in  the  year  when  they  appear  mott  vigorous 
and  numerous. 

Butchers  meat  does  not  ordinarily  grow  tainted,  in  the  lowlands  of 
Jamaica,  undergo  to  56  hours  (unlefs  expofed  to  the  fun).  Wliea 
hung  up  m  an  airy  ihaded  place,  and  pi<ote£led  from  flies,  it  will 
keep  longer.  In  the  mountains,  I  have  eat  beef  corned  and  botkd, 
very  good  and  fwcet,  after  five  or  fix  days  keeping ;  and  pork 
pickled  here  ofatwelvemontii  old:  Corples  are  kept,  on  the  South 
fide  of  the  ifland,in  general,  tweuty-four  hours  or  more,  according  to 
the  nature  of  the  drfeaft,  aud  Jeafon  of  the  yeac,  fasfore  interment, 
without  becnntng  o&aiive. 

The  «i&<£ts  obfervcd  here  ou  metab  espofed  to  the  air,  is  no 
criterion  <si  an  unhealtliy  ftnte.  This  nifting,  or  corrofion,  par- 
ticolatly  lenurrked  on  irom  or  ftcd,  is  thot^ht  to  be  occafioned  hy 
a  muriatic  acid,  or  by  nitrous  partides,  with  which  riie  air  of  this 
iflaud  is  impregnated.  I  have, -fctii:  ir<»a 'woo'k  v:pati  oiie  K^kho 
higlteft  lidgesrof  die  ooouutain?,;  in  m  hcnltbgr  a  lj(iuiiianiftdiimy«ia' 
tfae^idba,  nDn'oded.in  asigrcac  idegree  «s  iji  aity  patt  of  the  low- 
lands.- I  obferved,  on  a  large  irouJcide  beam  fufpendedciofe  by  the- 

fea». 


•  «  •  • 

fea,  that  the  iide  next  the  water  was  canttrcd  witl:^  rtift  iii  thi  cG^He 
of  a  few  weeks  after  being  hungup;  but  the  oppofitc  fide  remained 
perfeftly  found,  and  the  pauit  as  frefii  as  at  firft.   ' 

Tranfient  (howers  here,  though  fometimes  very  hea vy, "  do  not' 
leave  the  air  afFe£led  with  moifture  ;  and  thftfe  iiifetkis  ruft  leaft  !^re 
during  rainy  weather.  ..,'.••■',- 

'May  hot  fuch  irrigations  dilute,  conduct,  or  carry  off,  thole  par- 
ticles floating  in  the  atmofphere,  which  at  other  times  a^  as 
mtnjlrua  upon  iron  ?  or,  may  they  not  render  them' lefs  a<^iv4? 

Fixible  or  mcphitic  air  afts  very  powerfully  upon  iron  but  has 
not  any  effeft  upon  copper.  But  copper  is  corroded  in  this  clitaatc, 
though  not  fb  violenly  as  iron.  The  volatile  vitriblid  acid  diiiblves 
both;  this  latter fubftance  has  been  conjeftured  to  be  plentifully 
diftributed  throughout  the  uhiverfe,  in  the  fubterraneous  regions, 
and  even  in  the  atmofphere  \  it  is  conflantly  prefent  in  the  eUSrical 
Jluid  which  is  diffufcd  in  fuch  great  abundance  between  the  Tropics ; 
and  from  thefuppofed  exiftence  of  it  in  the  air,  it  has  been  called, 
the fal  acidum  vagum  univerfale  [/].  We  may  therefore  venture,  per- 
haps, to  afcribe  the  effect  obferved  to  this  caufe,  until  fome  more 
probable,  or  powerful,  agent  (hall  be  difcovered. 
•  Having  now  laid  down  general  rules  for  diftinguifhing  a  good 
from  a  fickly  fituation  I  proceed  to  another  eifential  article^  which 
merits  attention  from  all  Europeans,  coming  to  refide  in  this 
climate,  viz. 

SECT.      IL 

CLOATHING. 

Faftiion  and  cuftom,  lays  Dr.  Hilary,  are  two  prevailing  things, 
which  enllave  the  greater  part  of  mankind,  though  often  in  oppofi- 
tion  both  to  realbn  and  convenience,  and  particularly  in  our  drefsi 
for  no  doubt  but  the  loofe,  cool,  eafy  drels  of  the  Eaftern  nations, 
their  gown  or  banyan,  is  much  eafier  and  better  fitted  for  uie  in  a 
hot  climate,  than  the  Englilh  drefs,  which  is  clofe  and  tight.  All 
who  have  tried  both,  find  it  fo :  but,  fuch  is  the  influence  of  fafhion 
and  cuftom,  tl^itonemay  lee  men  loaded,  and  half  melting  under  a 
ponderous  coat  and  waiftcoat,  richly  bedaubed  with  gold  lace  or 

[/J  Falconer. 

embroidery 


BOOK  III.    CHAP;  VL  521 

embroidery  on  a  hot  day,  fcarcely  able  to  bear  thenij  and  little  con- 
iidering  how  much  they  injure  their  conftitutions  by  a  fweltering 
load  of  garments,  of  whofe  inconvenience  they  cannot  but  be  fenfible ; 
and  under  whole  prefiiire^  they  cannot  but  feel  the  moft  uneaiy 
feDfations. 

A  banyan  is  the  drefs  of  the  mandarins  at  the  courts  of  China 
and  Japan,  of  the  nobility  and  gentry  at  Indoflan  and  Perfia ;  and 
why  it  (hould  not  be  adopted  in  other  hot  countries,  can  only  be 
attributed  to  the  tyranny  of  cuftom,  which  is  ever  perverfe,  and 
whofe  councils  refemble  the  laws  of  the  Medes  and  Periians,  which 
altered  not.  If  a  Chinefe  nrtandarin  was  to  be  crammed  into  a  fuit 
of  Englifh  cloaths,  he  would  look  like  a  hog  in  armour,  and  feel  as 
much  diflrefs.  But  wrap  an  Englishman,  under  the  torrid  zone,  in  a 
Chinefe  banyan,  and  he  would  efteem  it  luxurioufly  delightful ; 
cuflom  arbitrarily  forbids  him  to  enjoy  fo  much  blifs,  and  commands 
him  to  drefs  in  the  modes  of  London  and  Edinbugh.  It  is  not  how« 
ever  unwife  to  borrow  fo  much  from. the  fafliions  of  other  nations, 
as  we  may  pradlife  ourfelves  with  equal  advantage.  To  come 
nearer  therefore  to  Jamaica,  let  us  obferve  a  little  the  management 
of  our  Spanifli  neighbours.  All  their  cloaths  are  light ;  their 
waiftcoat  and  breeches  zre  of  Br etagne  linen,  and  their  coat  of  fome 
other  thin  fluff.  fTigs  are  not  much  worn  among  them ;  only  the 
governor  and  chief  officers  appearing  in  them,  and  that  moftly  on 
public  occafions.  Neckcloths  arc  likewife  very  uncommon ;  inilead 
of  thefe,  the  neck  of  their  ihirt  is  adorned  with  large  gold  buttons, 
or  clafps,  and  thefe  are  fufFered  to  hang  loofe.  On  the  head,  they 
wear  a  cap  of  very  fine,  thin,  and  white  linen.  Others  go  entirely 
bare  headed,  having  their  hair  cut  from  the  nape  of  the  neck 
upwards.  Fans  are  very  commonly  worn  by  the  men,  made  of  a 
thin  branch  of  the  falmeto^  in  the  form  of  a  crefcent,  with  a  flick  of 
the  fame  wood  in  the  middle  for  a  handle.  Their  women  wear  a 
kind  of  a  petticoat,  which  they  call  a  pollera^  made  of  thin  (ilk, 
without  any  lining ;  and  on  their  body  a  very  thin  white  jacket ; 
but  this  is  only  put  on,  in  what  they  call  their  winter,  during  the 
rainy  feafon ;  for,  in  the  hot  months,  they  think  it  infupportable. 
Although  this  attire  is  fo  fimple  and  loofe,  yet  it  is  decent ;  for  they 

Vol.  II..  X  X  X  always 


j22  JAMAICA, 

always  lacc  m  fuch  a  manner  as  to  conceal  their  breaffs.  Wheir 
they  go  abroad  they  wear  a  mantlet  or  (hort  cloak.  The  richnefs  of 
their  drcfsdoes  not  confift^  as  with  the  Englifh  ladies,  in  a  multitude 
of  things  piled  one  upon  another;  but  in  the  ^neft  linen,  laces,, 
and  jewels,  fo  difpofed  as  to  add  very  little  to  incoveniencCy  and  ta 
produce  the  moft  omartiental  effeft. 

On  the  head,  they  wear  a  cap  of  fine  linen  covered  with  lace^ 
and  worked  into  the  fhape  of  a  mitre  7  which,  being  plentifully 
ftarched,  terminates  forward  in  a  point,  not  cafiljr  di&ompoied;  This 
they  call  panitOy  and  it  is  worn  by  the  ladies,  and  other  native 
Whites,  as  an  undrefs;  nothing  can  be  more  becotoing^  and,  having 
ufed  themfeFves  to  it  from « their  infancy,  it  (its  i^on  them  with  a 
Better  ain.    Our  Englifli  belles  ia  Jamaica  differ  very,  widely  from 
thefe  madonas.    They  do  not  fcruple  to  wear  the.  thickefl  winter 
itlks  and  fattins ;  and  are  ibmeomes  ready  to  fink  under  the  weight 
cff  rich  gold  or  filver  brocade&4     Their  head-drefs  varies  with  the 
tifn  at  home;    tlie- winter  fafbitine  of  L^ndbn  arrive  here  at  die 
fetting  in  of  hot  weather  ^:  an4^  thick  or  thin  caps,  Urge  as  an 
umbrella,  or  as  diminutive  as  a  half  crown  piece,  are  indifcrimi- 
"mtely  put  on,  without  the  fmalleft  regard   to  the  difference  of 
climate ;  nay,  the  late  prepofterous  mode  of  dreffing  female  hair  in 
London,  half  a  yard  perpendicular  height,  feflened  with  fbmefcore 
of  heavy  iron  pins^  cm  a  bundle/  of  wool  large  enough  to  duff  a  . 
chair  bottom,  together  with  pounds  of  powder  and  pornatum,  did 
not  efcape  their  ready  imitation ;  but-  grew  into  vogue  with  great 
rapidity,  and  Kterally  might  be  affirmed,  Utum  all  their  heads  \  for 
it  was  morally  impoffible  to  avoid  ftooping,  aiKl  tottering,   under  fo 
enormous  a  maft^     Nothing  fu rely  can  be  more  prepofterous^  and 
abfurd;   thant  for  perfons  refiding  in  the  Weft-lhdies,    to  adhere 
rigidly  to  all  tlue  European  cuftoms  and  manners  j  which,  though 
perhaps  not  inconvenient  in  a  cold  Northern  air^.ai^e  certainly  im- 
proper, ridiculous,  and^detrimentali  in  ahofr  climate.  Howperverfe 
is  an  attachment  to  thick  bulhy  periwigs  (the  fit  antidotes  to  froft 
and  fnow),  under  a  vertical -furi;  or  complete  fuks  of  thick  broad- 
cloth, laced  from  top  to  bottom,  in  a  comWry  where  there  is-not 
the   leaft  occafion  to  force  a  fweat!    The   proper   coat$  for  .this- 
climate  are- of. the  lighteftEnglifli  broadcloths,. commonly  known 

by. 


BOOK   IlL    CHAP.    VL  s^ 

by  the  name  of  kerfeymeresy  made  without  any  lining  or  lace^  eafy 
and  loofe.  The  waiftcoat  and  breeches,  (hould  be  of  cotton  (corded 
or  India  dimity  for  example),  iri  preference  to  linen,  as  it  prevents 
catching  cold ;  a  circumftance  not  well  to  be  avoided  in  a  linen  dref*, 
which  is  no  fooner  moift,  than  it  ftrikes  a  very  fenfible  chill,  fo  a-s 
frequently  to  obftruft  perfpiration.  The  fame  fubftance  is  alfo 
proper  for  ftockings*  Moft  men  however,  in  this  ifland,  wear  linen 
drawers  in  preference  to  linings,  for  the  fake  of  cleanlinefs;  and 
prefer  the  RuiEa  drab  for  breeches,  as  it  is  very  durable,  and  has  a 

neat  look. 

White  hats  are  befl  adapted  to  this  climate,  on  account  of  their 
being  light  and  cool.  The  black  hats  ablbrb  the  fun*8  rays,  find 
are  fome times  extremely  inconvenient.  AH  white  fervauta  therer 
fore,  Ibldiers,  and  others,  whofe  employmenta  may  neceflarily 
oblige' them  to  b6  often  cxpofed  to  the  fun  in  the  heat  of  the  day, 
fhould  be  furniflied  with  white  hats  inftead  of  black ;  the  former 
repelling,  the  latter  imbibing,  the  heat  [f^ ;  and  experience  convinces, 
that  light-coloured  cloathing  is  by  lar  the  cooleft  in  this  part  of  the 
world,  and  black  or  dark- coloured  the  hotteft;  for  the  fame  reafon  a 
full  mourning,  or  black  fuit,  is  improper  here ;  becaufe,  in  fuch 
cloaths,  the  body  is  more  heated  by^  the  fun  in  walking  abroad,  and 
heated  at  the  fame  time  by  the  exercife;  which  accumulated  fervour 
may  occafion  dangerous  illnefles.  They  are  prudent,  who,  inftead 
of  this,  wear  a  fcarlet,  with  black  cuffs  and  button  holes,  by  way 
of  mourning;  for  nothing  is  more  likely  to  fubjeft  a  perfon  to 
catch  cold,  and  a  fit  of  ficknefs,  than  a  fudden  change  from  an 
habitual  light  and  cool  drefs,  to  one  twice  as  hot;  and  as  fudden  a 
return  again,  after  a  time,  to  his  former  mode.  On  the  fame  princi- 
ple, the  ladies  hats  or  bonnets  {hould  be  lined  with  black,  as  not 
reverberating  on  their  faces  thofe  rays  of  the  lun,  which  are  reflefted 
upwards  from  the  earth  and  water,  and  occafion  freckles,  or  tan. 
And  hence  alfo  it  appears,  that  putting  a  bit  of  white  paper  within 

[/]  This  is  illuftrated  by  Dr«  Franklin's  experifnent,  ivho  took  a  number  of  little  fquare  pieces  of 
broadcloth  of  various  colours,  and  laid  them  all  out  upon  the  fnow,  in  a  bright  fun-fliiny  morning;  , 
In  a  few  hours,  the  hlack  cloth^  being  moft  warmed  by  the  fun,  funk  fo  deep  as  to  be  bebw  the  adion 
of  the  iblar  rays.  The  dark  blue»  aln^oft  as  deep.  The  Hghter  blue  aqc  quite  io  much  as  the  dark. 
The  other  colours  ftill  lefs,  in  proportion  as  they  were  lighter ;  and  the  white  remained  on  the 
furface  of  the  fnow,  not  having  funk  at  all. 

X  X  X  2  the 


5*4  JAMAICA. 

the  crown  of  a  black  hat  will  not  keep  out  the  heat^  though  it 
would  9  if  placed  wit  bout  [g\ 

Travelers  in  this  clinnate  (hould  be  careful  always  to  change  their 
cloaths  after  getting  wet  by  riding  in  the  rain.  It  is  a  common 
practice  here,  as  in  the  Ead^-Indies,  to  cool  bottled  liquors  by- 
wrapping  cloths  dripping-wet  round  the  bottles,  the  warmth 
which  the  liquors  had  contrafted  evaporating  with  the  water  as  it 
pafles  from  the  cloths ;  and  the  operation  is  greatly  facilitated  by 
fetting  them  in  a  (haded  place,  where  they  are  acceflible  to  the 
wind  [A].  A  traveler,  caught  in  rain,  is  much  in  the  fame  fituation 
as  one  of  thefe  bottles,  and,  by  the  quick  evaporation  of  his  natural 
warmth,  perceives  his  body  chilled  and  aguifh.  It  is  ufual  here  to 
ftrip,  and  rub  all  over  with  rum,  and  then  put  on  dry  cloaths; 
which  prevents  any  ill  confequence. 

Having  nothing  more  material  to  add  on  the  fiibje£t  of  drefs,  I 
(hall  next  (peak  of. 


•) 


SECT.      III. 

Diet  ^/ri general  Regimen  gf  Life. 

A  LEARNED  phyiiciaD  [/]  has  given  it  as  his  opinion,  that,  as 
the  time  approaches  for  feamen  to  enter  hot  climates,  their  diet 
ihould,  by  pofitive  inftitutions,  be  varied  from  what  is  ufual  at 
land,  or  at  fea,  in  Europe ;  that  inftind  has  taught  the  natives 
between  the  Tropics,  and  in  all  hot  climates,  to  live  chiefly  on  ve* 
getable  diet  and  fubacid  fruits;  for  which  rea(bn,  devouring  large 
quantities  of  fle(h-meats,  and  u(ing  the  fame  hard  indigeftible  food 
as  might  pafs  off  in  cold  weather,  or  more  Northerly  regions,  muft 
alone  have  proved  the  caufe  of  the  de(lru£tion  of  many  Engliih 
lives.  He,  therefore,  recommends  for  trial,  in  hot  climates,  that 
the  feamen  on  board  men  of  war  (hould  not  have  fait  meat  of  any 
kind  above  once  a  week,  or  twice ;  beef  and  pork  alternately ; 
and  that  every  other  (pecies  of  allowance  (hould  be  provided  in 
much  greater  abundance  than  is  commonly  done  for  fea-voyages  2 

[g]  Franklin. 

[/y]  If  thefe  cloths  were  wetted  with  rum ;  query,  if  they  would  not  render  the  llquon  fiiH 
cooler? 

[/]  Brocklefty. 

by 


BOOK     IIL      CHAP.       VI.  525 

by  which  regulation,  he  thinks,  many  of  the  ordinary  mifchiefsg 
attending  theconftant  ufe  of  putrefccnt  faked  meats,  may  be  pre- 
vented. 

The  example  of  fome  people  in  the  Eaftern  part  of  the  world  has 
been  quoted,  by  many  writers,  to  (hew  that  vegetables  are  the  na- 
tural appropriated  food  for  hot  climates ;  but  there  are  fome  cir* 
cumftances  attending  it,  in  ihofe  Eaftern  climes,  which  efcaped 
obfervation,  or  were  not  known.  The  truth  feems  to  be,  that  the 
animal  food,  in  fome  of  thofe  Eaftern  parts,  is  n»iturally  unfit  for 
food  ;  of  which  Mr,  Oft>eck  mentions  inftances.  The  Gentoos  at 
Surat  eat  nothing  but  -milk,  butter,  and  vegetables.  They  have 
flefh  in  great  plenty,  but  fuch  as  probably  is  not  very  wholefome, 
efpecially  to  thofe  who  come  on  ftiore  after  a  voyage,  and  indulge 
their  appetites.  They  are  fubjeft  to  vomitings  and  diarrhoeas,  and 
are  in  danger  of  lofing  their  lives..  On  this  account,  Mr.  Ofl^eck 
is  of  opinion,  that  Brama,  or  whoever  at  firft  gave  law  to  thefc 
people,  had  difcovered  that  thefe  meats  were  very  unwholefome  to 
the  Malabarians.  "  If  all  the  Malabaric  oxen  (continues  he) 
"  were  like  thofe  which  we  got,  it  is  no  wonder  that  the  Gentoos 
«f  will  not  eat  their  flefti;  the  meer  deffcription  of  them  would' 
"  make  the  moft  hungry  lofe  their  appetites."  And  he  attributes 
to  this  meat,  that  many  of  the  Swedifh  failors  were  afterwards  ex- 
ceedingly tormented  with  intolerably  bloody  ulcers.  This  gen* 
tleman's  conjefture  on  the  origin  of  their  total  vegetable  diec  leems^ 
therefore,  well-grounded;  efpecially.  as  the  Jcwifti  law-giver  pro- 
hibited the  ufe  of  fwine's  flefli,  which  in  Paleftine,  perhaps,  had 
a  particular  ill  quality,  and  was  thought  to  have  firft  produced  that 
horrid  difeafe  the  leprofy,  with  which  the  inhabitants  were  fo 
much  afflifted. 

It  is  by  no  means  certain,  that  a  total  vegetable  diet  is  proper  in 
hot  climates,  at  leaft  not  in  all  of  them,  nor  at  all  times  indlfcri- 
minately.  Although  vegetables  in  thefe  climates  are  better  con- 
co<fled  and  matured  by  the  heat  of  the  fun,  and  therefore  more  nu- 
tritious, and  in  general  wholefomer,  than  in  Europe ;  yet,  after 
violent  rains,  the  vaft  quantity  of  water  that  defcends  upon  tha 
earth  renders  all  forts  of  roots,  plants,  and  fruits,  for  fome  time, 
crude  and  unwholefome.     This  more  efpecially  happens,  if  a  courfe 

of 


:526  J    AM    A    I    C    A. 

.  of  hot  dry  weather  has  preceded;    for  the  heavicft  rains  always 
.  follow  fuch  weather;  and  all  vegetables  then  imbibe  the  water  in 
,  a  prodigious  quantity^  till  they  arc  faturated.     At  fuch  Itinaes,  they 
'flre   very  improper  food,    and  often  caufc   very   dangerous   fluxes 
among  fuch  of  the  Negroes  as  make  too  free  with  them.     A  ve- 
getable diet,   from  its  extreme  flatulence,  occafions  other  diforders, 
inflates  the  body  into  an  immoderate  fize,  and  may  thus  give  aa 
appearance    of  fatnefs ;  as  Mr.  Ofbeck   obferved  of    the  Gentoos. 
:  Some  of  the  Negroes  have  the  like  tumefadions,   which   would 
.  more  frequently  occur,  if  they  did  not   ufe  fait   and  the   country 
peppers  very  liberally.     The  flefli  of  fowls  and  cattle  comes  fooner 
;  to  maturity  here  than  in  Europe.     The  texture  of  it  is  loofer,  and 
the  mufcular  and  tendinous  parts  lefs  rigid.     Their  flefl),  therefore^ 
.  is  not  fo  grofs,  heavy,  and  hard  of  digeflion,  as  in  Northern  cli*- 
mates ;  but  approaches  nearer  to  vegetable  food  in  its  nature.     A 
total  abdinence  from  animal   fbod^  in   Jamaica,  would    probably 
increafe  the  relaxation  already  promoted  by  the  climate,  and  debi- 
litate the  bodily  vigour  to  a  very  dangerous  excefs.      Even  the 
Gentoos/  we  find,  do  not  wholly  abftain;   for  they  ufc  milk  and 
butter  (perhaps  no  fmall  portion  of  their  meal),  which  are  nu^ 
trimental,  and    help  to  qualify  the   deleterious    eSc&,s  of    their 
vegetables. 

The  moft  appropriated  diet,  in  my  opinion,  for  the  Weft-Indies, 
is  a  conftant  mixture  of  animal  and  vegetable  food,  (if  any  thing) 
inclining  to  the  vegetable ;  that  is,  if  an  equal  proportion  be  ex« 
ceeded,  it  ought  to  be  in  favour  of  the  vegetable  [i].  And  fuch  is  the 
vvariety  and  multitude  of  this  clafs,  moft  of  which  are  adapted  to 

[k]  It  is  certain,  that,  folong  as  men  have  plenty  of  vegetables,  and  will  ufc  them,  they  arc 
never  troubled  with  the  fcurvy,  whether  they  live  in  moift,  warm,  or  cold  climates.  On  the  con- 
trary, where  there  b  a  total  want  of  them,  all  writers  agree,  that  this  dlforder  (or  tendency  of  the 
animal  juices  to  putrefattion)  is  the  immediate  confe^uence. 

Dr,  Falconer  has  a  very  judicious  remark  in  refpedt  to  the  preparation  of  flefli-meats  in  hot 
cKmates.  •*  Meats  Ilt/k  d$ne^  fays  he,  *<  are  certainly  eaCcft  foluble;  but  they  are,  at  the  (aroe 
**  time,  escecdiDgly  t^tdejient^  and  run  quickly  into  putrefaction ;  fo  that  it  is  much  to  be  que- 

.♦*  flioned,  whether  they  are  to  be  chofcn  for  ihofe  who  eat  a  large  proportion  of  animal  food,  as 
•'  fuch  diet  would  be  apt  to  induce  a  habit  of  body  highly  fcorbutic, .  or  tending  to  putrefaaion, 
•*  except  taken  with  a  large  proportion  of  vegetables.'*     On  this  account,  he  fufpeds,  that  the 

.French  (who,  for  a  warm  climate,  eat  a  large  quantity  of  animal  food)  eat  their  meat  fo  much 
toafted,  or  boiled,  from  a  kind  of  natural  inftin<fl,  in  ordgr.to  obviate  its  feptic  tendency,  which  is 

ijmuch  augmented  by  the  greater  heat  of  the  diip.itc« 

J  iipurilh. 


BOOK    111.      CHAP.     VI.  527 

nourifli,  or  refrefh  the.  body,  that  the  dalntieft  perfoii  need  not  be  at  a 
lofs  in  felefting  fuch  as  are  moft  palatable,  to  him.     The  olios,    or 
pepper-pots,  here  (which  conftitute  the  ordinary  food   of  the  Ne- 
groes, were  the  nioft-efteemed.difhes  among  the  Spaniards,  and  are 
equally  reliflied  by  our  natives   or  Creoles)  confirm  the  propriety 
of  fuch  a  diet  as  I  have  propofed ;  for  they  confift  of  fleih  or  fifli, 
greens,  roots,  plantains,  okra -pods,  and  pulfe,  differently  mingled 
and  prepared ;  fo  that  there  is  a  great  variety  in  their   preparation  •. 
and   flavour;    and  every  change   iu   fucceffion  of  the. ingredients 
prefentsTome  novelty,  which  is  certainly  no  fmair recommendation;  , 
for  they  can  be  fo  altered  in  tafte,  by  putting  iu  fome  vegetable  or 
aaimal  ingredients,   and  omitting  others,  as  to  feem  entirely  a  new 
di(h ;  ai>d  they  are  uuqucftionablya  moft  wholefome  kind  of  fpod  ! 
for  Europeans,  newly  arrived,  provided  they   are  not  too  highly 
feafoned  with  pepper.  .  -      ^ 

Ihftead  of  attending  to  whatreafon  points  out,  moft  Europ^ans^  > 
after  their  arrival  here,  perlift  in  devouring  vaft  quantities  of  ani- 
mal food,   with  very  little  (if  any)  mixture  of.  vegetable :  .  they 
indulge   in  bad  butter,  cheeie,  .fall* beef,   ham;  and  wa(h  ^them 
down  with  deluged  of  porter,  ale^  bad  cyder,  and  all  forts  of  wines.  . 
The  butter  imported  hither  is. often  in  a  ftate  of  putrefcence  when  . 
It  arrives;  in  generaU  it  is.rancid%     So  acrimonious  ai^  ingredient  in  i 
diet  is  noxious  to  health,  diibrders  the^omach,  and^  pftener  than  is  > 
fufpefteil,  gives:  rife  to  Jthofe  terxible  fevers,  whofe  fource  is  a  viti-  - 
ated  bile  [/]." 

[/]  The  nouiifliment  is  extremely  liurtful  #hich  is  "drawn  from  fubftances  difficult  fo  be  dif-  - 

(blved,  which  tend  to  putrefaction,  atid  canooteafily  beailimilated;  fuch  as  dried- fiflj,  aiid  par-  • 

ricularly  cheefe,  which  is  often' putrid^  bacony  and  old  oil*  Butter,  in  warm  climates,  by  being  kept.  . 

a  (hort  time  on  board  (hip^  .grows  rank  and  fetid ;  for  it  frequently  happens  in  Ihips,  particularly  < 

ihofe  bound  to  the  Well-Indies  in  a  warm  feafon,  that  it  melts  away,  like  oil,  in  the  firktns,  l)y  • 

which  it  lofes  ^reat  part  of  Us  (idt;   and,  the  interne,  motion  being  incresifed  by  the  heat,  it  . 

becomes  bitter  and  (links.  Such  grofs  tbod  not  only  refills  the  powers  of  digellion  very  much;  ; 
but  the  juices,  drawn  from  them,  are  of  a  very  acrid  nature.    .                                         Rouppe.  . 

Many  particles  of  flcih,  though  carefully  failed,  will  in  time  grow  putrid,  as  appears- fpoin  Dr.  . 

AddingtonV experiment;  who  pu^  a  fmall  piece  of  ialted  beef  into  water,  and  at  the  iame  time  -.' 

alike  piece  of  tirih,  unlalted  beef  into  another  like  quantity  of  water,  and  tbund  the  falted  flcfli  . 

to  ilink  firil;  which  proves  the  tendency  of  it  to  putrefa6lion,  though  the  fait  keeps  it  from  of-  - 

fending  the  taile  or  fmcli :  fo  that  laited  flefh,  as  well  as  putrid  air,  has.a  tendency  to  occaison  the  <« 
fcurvy,  as  wellas  other  putrid  difiempers.   .        ^ 

Chocolat^K; 


528  J     A     M     A     I    C     A. 

Chocolate  is  wholefomc,  sind  well- adapted  to  repair  the  lofs 
fuftahied  by  liberal  perfpiratiou  ;  but  it  ought  not  to  be  too  freely 
lifed  by  Europeans  at  their  firft  arrival  at  leaft,  unlefs  it  Is  well  di- 
luted with  milk  and  water,  in  which  way  many  of  the  Creoles 
prefer  it, 

AH  thofe  fubflances  (hould  be  cautioufly  fhunned  which  difpofe 
the  blood  to  putrefaction.  Such  are  ail  rancid  fats  and  oils;  tainted 
:fle(horfi(h;  a  fle(h  or  fifli  diet,  diluted  with  fimple  water  alone; 
and  excefs  in  all  fpirituous  liquors.  In  (lead  of  this,  fuch  a  diet 
ihould  be  obferved  as  tends  to  acefcency  ;  for  this  intention  are  ail 
♦  the  varieties  of  vegetables,  combined  with  found  frefh  meat  of  flefli 
and  fifli;  and  thefubacid  fruits,  as  lemons,  oranges,  (haddocks,  &c. 
and  wine,  particularly  Madeira,  which,  diluted  with  water,  is  one 
of  the  vvholefomeft  drinks  in  the  Weft-Indies  ;  it  is  highly  anti- 
feptic,  ftrengthens  the  ftomach  and  organs  of  digeftion,  and  far 
preferable  to  the  French  wines.  Next  to  this  is  weak  punch, 
made  with  ripe  fruit,  and  rum  of  at  leaft  a  twelvemonth*s  age. 
The  vaft  abundance  of  mild,  vegetable  acids,  as  well  as  the  various 
fpecies  of  peppers,  diftributed  to  thefe  climates  by  the  hand  of  na- 
ture,  is  a  moft  benevolent  provifion.  The  moderate  ufe  of  them, 
conddering  the  tendency  of  the  fblids  and  fluids  to  be  relaxed,  and 
contradl  a  putrefcency,  is  abfolutely  necefliiry ;  and  wc  find  the  na- 
tives, white  and  black,  covet  them  with  a  lingular  avidity* 

The  bilcuit  and  flour,  imported  from  North- America,  arc  very 
apt  to  harbour  weevils,  efpeclally  when  they  are  kept  for  any 
length  of  time.  Thefe  infeAs  have  fuch  a  cauftic  quality,  that, 
•when  applied  to  the  flcin  in  form  of  a  poultice,  they  will  raife  a 
blifter  like  cantharides.  How  baneful  then  muft  their  efFefts  be 
on  the  tender  coats  of  the  ftomach  and  bowels  !  The  heft  means 
of  driving  them  away,  or  deftroying  them,  is  by  expoiing  the  flour, 
or  bifcuit,  to  the  fun,  in  the  heat  of  the  day,  before  it  is  ufed,  or 
heating  it  in  a  hot  oven  :  the  former  method  compels  thefe  infeds 
•to  fliift  their  quarters ;  the  latter  kills  them,  and  takes  away  the 
mufty  fmell  they  have  occafioned:  care,,  however,  muft  be  ufed  to 
^pick  out  all  the  djead,  which  ought  never  to  he  mixed  with  food. 

Plforders  of  the  putrid  clafs  are  the  moft  to  be  dreaded  by  Eu- 
ropeans in  this  climate.     Perfons,  indeed,  living   in  England  and 

colder- 


BOOK    m.      CHAP.     VI.  s-9 

colder  climates,  are  not  exempt  from  thefe  maladies;  and  tliey 
happen  in  both^  moft  cornnaonly,  from  irregularity  of  diet,  waiit  of 
proper  ex«rcife,  or  from  debauched  habits  of  life. 

An  European,  on  arriving  in  Janaaica  in  good  health,  mufi:  re- 
foWe^  i«inxeJiately  aft<rr.he  is  landed,   to  purfue  a  regimen  of  dler^ 

fomewhat  different  from  what  he  had  been  accuflomed  to  at  home* 

•  •  I. 

He  fliQuld  eatlefs  flefli-meat,  and  increafe  his  allowance  of  vegeta- 
bles^  This  diet  requires  wine;  but  even  wine  (hould  be  mode- 
rately taken,  and  chiefly  coufidered  as  a  mixture  neceflary  to  qualify 
and  counteradt  the  putrefadive  tendency  of  plain  water.  On  the 
voyage  to  this  illand,  he  (hould  not  gorge  in  falt-meat;  but,  laying 
ah  a  'flQck  of  European  vegetables,  particularly  onions,  pickled- 
cabbage,  -and  the  like,  eftablifh  fome  or  other  of  them  as  a  part  of 
his  daily  meals.  It  is  perhaps  much  owing  to  the  conftant  diet 
^jpon  onions^  that  the  Portuguefe  at  Madeira  enjoy  fuch  good  health 
and  vig9ur.  What  thefe  men  eat  through  neceflity,  others  may  by 
choice;  (ince  .the  obj^  to  be  obtained  is  worthy,  their  purfuit, 
found  health,  and  the  pofleffion  of  ftrength  and  faculties. 

But  as  an  Englifhman,  who  loas  been  ufed  to  a  plentiful  diet  of 
flefh  during  the  former  part  of  his  life,  might  fufFer  by  a  too  fudden 
or  unlimited  .ibflinence  from  it ;  fo  it  is  moft  advifeable  for  them 
to  change  and  qualify  it.  gradually,  abating  a  little  of  their  flefli- 
meat  every  day^  until  they  can  bring  themfelves  to  a  due  proportion 
of  animal  and  vegetable  dinners,   without  fuffering  any  fenfibje  in- 
convenience.     Their  greateft  danger  is,    that,    on    firft    landing, 
they  find   their   appetite  unufually  keen,  after  the  tcedlurn  of  fhip- 
fare,  for  five  or  fix   weeks  at  fea,   and  flimulated  by  the  fight   of 
fcveral   dainties  they  have  been  before  unacquainted   with  ;    thus 
ftrjongly  folicitedto  gratify  their  palates,  they  may  fall  into  hurtful 
excefTes,    if  they  are  not  on  their  guard.     A  proper  diet,   with  ex- 
ercife  in  moderation,  and  the  avoiding  exceflfes  in  eating  and  drink- 
ing, particularly  the  former,  will  procure  and  preferve  a  good  ftate  of 
health  ;  and  a  man,  who  regulates  his  life  by  a  due  conformity  to* 
this  regimen,   need  not  doubt  of  enjoying   it  in   as  great  a  degre^ 
here,   as  he  might  have  done  in  other  parts  of  the  world. 

Inflammatory  fevers  are  not   common  in  the   Weft-Indies;    nor 

a  huffy  appearance  of  the  blood.     The  reafons  afligned  for  this  ex-. 

Vol.  .11.  Yyy  emptioa 


530  JAMAICA* 

emption  are^  the  warmth  and  moifture  of  the  climate,  copious 
perfpiration,  and  acidulated  drinks.  Excefs  in  eating,  drinking^ 
and  exercife,  between  the  Tropics,  neither  corroborates  the  (blids^ 
nor  increafes  the  denfity  of  the  blood :  the{e  errors  in  the  non-na* 
turals  may  render  the  Weft-India  blood  acrid ;  but  they  certainly 
render  the  bile  peccant  both  in  quantity  and  quality.  This  is  the 
paflport  to  all  the  fevers  in  the  Weft- Indies  ;  for  it  may  well  be 
doubted,  whether  ever  the  blood  is  the  primary  feat  of  a  fever, 
unlefs  in  pcrfons  newly  arrived  in  the  Torrid  Zoiie«  Of  courfe, 
the  impropriety  of  frequent  bleedings,  as  always  pradifed  by  the 
French,  and  too  often  by  the  Englilh  furgeons,  muft  be  obvious ; 
and  the  neceility  of  carrying  off  the  peccant  matter  by  vomit  and 
ftooU  xio  lefs  apparent.  This  opinion  is  ftrengthened  by  ex* 
perience  of  the  almoft  conftant  fuccefs  which  attends  the  treatment 
of  them  in  this  way  ;  and  the  great  mortality  which  has  followed 
the  free  ufe  of  the  lancet :  and  hence  likewife  appears  the  great 
efficacy  of  antimonial  preparations,  and  of  James's  powder  in  par* 
ticular^  which  operate  in  the  manner  recommended,  and  ieldom 
fail  of  making  a  cure,  if  reforted  to  in  time  \m\. 

Fevers  in  the  Weft-Indies  feldom  put  on  the  appearances  of  in- 
flammation beyond  the  fir  ft  twenty-four  hours;  after  that,  they 
become  putrid,  or  malignant,  and  nervous.  In  the  firft  ftage  only 
of  the  difeafe,  blood  may  be  let,  and  even  then  in  a  very  finall 

[ml  The  firft  change,  caufed  by  the  tnmfition  from  a  cold  into  a.  hot  dinate,  U  a  ratefadion  of 
all  the  humouTS  in  the  body,  and  of  ^e  blood  among  the  reft ;  and,  when  the  containing  vefTdt 
do  not  expand  fMfkiendy  to  give  it  a  free  drculatton,  the  confequence  muft  necd&rily  he  a  ft^ 
wriih  heat,  anxiety  about  the  frac^Jia^  a  difticulty  of  breadiing,  violent  pains  in  the  heaii,  and 
unealinefs.  Theft  fymptoms  are  fonaetimes  relieved  by  a  fpontaneout  bleeding  at  the  nofe,  which 
anfwen  the  end  of  vcnefcAion :  and  it  is  to.  be  underftood,  that  I  do  not  mean  to  condemn 
Weeding  in  all  cafes,  bccaufc,  where  the  party  is  young,  vigorous,  and  contrach  a  fever  irome-^ 
diat^  after  his  coming  to  the  Wcft-Jndies,  moderate  bleediag,  in  the  begicniag  of  the  difordcr,. 
nay  often  be  not  only  fafc,  but  ncceflary ;  and,  for  this,  the  particular  fymptoms  arc  the  belt  indi- 
ciiioo.  But  it  ftiould  be  ufed  in  the  Weft-India  fevew  with  great  caution,  and  &n&  regard  had  to 
the  age  and  habit  of  body,,  the  time  that  the  patient  has  refided  in  the  Wcft^ndies,  his  general 
4iet,  and  fuch  other  ciicumftanccs  ai  may  lead  to  the  forming  a  competent  judgement  whether 
opening  a  v«n  be  proper  or  not.  Whese  there  is  a  veiy  fining  pulfe  and.  great  heat,  which  is  often. 
ohfecval)ie  in  young,,  UM  peribns,  newly  arrived  from  a  cold  dimate,  vanefeaioo  is  often  found 
ferviceabit,  to  check  the  too  rapid  morioaof  the  fluids,  and  gain  more  time  to  treat  rtw  difordcr 
yroperly.  But  fuch  fy»ptt>ms  rardy  occur,  after  an  European  has  been  a  twdveroomh  in  the  Weft- 
Indies;  unlefs  it  may  happen  in  Jamaica,  by  a  fudden  check  of  the  pcrfpiration,  on  the  fiift 
fcttipg^aof  the  oM  Noidierly  Bund^ 

qwantity^ 


-J 


BOOK    nr.      CHAP.    VL  531 

quantity.  When  the  bilious  matter  has  ooce  entered  the  blood 
(which  it  will  roon  do,  if  fweats  are  incautioufly  ufed  at  firft), 
vomits  and  acid  purges  become  lefs  ufeful ;  and  the  morbid  matter 
muft  be  thrown  out  upon  the  ikln  by  wild*fage  tea,  weak  punch, 
or  other  liquors  which  promote  a  flight  diaphorefis.  In  this  dif- 
order  it  often  happens,  that  a  weak  purgative,  or  emetic,  will 
produce  uncommon  evacuations.  This  Ihould  not  alarm ;  and  the 
patient's  ftrength  (hould  be  well  fupported  with  Madeira  whey. 
This  fever  often  fubfides  into  a  remittent,  and  then  into  an  inter* 
mittent^  whofe  beft  remedy  is  the  bark»  which  not-  only  produces 
awholefome  bile,  but  invigorates  the  whole  habit.  Fluxes  and 
dyfenteries  proceed  often  from  the  fame  caufe,  a  corrupted  bile, 
and  fbmetimes  from  a  fuppreft  perfpiratioti,  or  too  free  indulgence 
in  crude,  watery  vegetables.  Of  all  the  fubftances  known^  the 
bark,  and  ripe  orange  or  lemon  juice,  deferve,  for  their  excellence, 
the  name  of  fpecific  againft  putrefadion.  I  knew  an  European 
gentleman  in  Jamaica,  who  regularly  drank  every  day  a  fmall 
tumbler  full  of  fweet  or  four  orange-juice,  ufing  them  in* 
differently,  immediately  after  dinner,  and  enjoyed  conftant  health. 
I  remember  another  who  cured  himfelf  of  a  bilious  putrid  ftver 
with  no  other  remedy  than  the  juice  of  ripe  Seville  and  other 
oranges.  And  fo  many  inftances  have  been  noticed  of  their  anti* 
feptic  quality  in  thefe  cafes,  that  the  utmoft  confidence  may  be 
repoied  in  their  falutiferous  eStGts. 

.  Much  more  might  be  added  on  the  fubje<f]t  of  theie  diftempers, 
their  caules,  fymptoms,  and  method  of  cure ;  but,  as  I  mean  not 
to  enter  into  an  elaborate  and  medical  inveftigaticn  of  them,  I  refer 
to  the  writings  of  Pringle,  Huxham,  Lind,  Bidet,  Hilary,  Rouppe, 
and  De  Monchy,  who  have  treated  of  them  with  the  greatefl 
ability. 

Mod  Europeans,  on  firft  coming  within  the  Tropics,  are  affected 
with  an  eruption  upon  their  ikins  of  fmall  red  pimples,  which  goes 
by  the  name  of  the  prickly  beat.  This  is  looked  upon  to  be  falu« 
tary,  unlefs  it  is  repelled  ;  and  it  is  remarkable,  that  it  returns  pe- 
riodically every  year,  about  April  or  May,  on  perfons  who  have 
redded  a  long  time  in  the  Weft-Indies  [w].     It  is,  probably,  caufed 

*  '        [*]  A^  ^^^  '^^  Jamaica. 

Y  y  y  2  by 


33^  JAMAICA. 

by  an  extraordinary  flow  of  pcrfplration,  and  the  current  of  the 
humours  towards  the  fkin,  promoted  by  the  heat  of  climate.  It 
muft  not  be  unnoticed,  that  the  periftaltic  naotion  of  the  bowels 
being  here  perhaps  more  languid  than  in  Europe,  perfbns  newly 
arrived  are  often  fubje£l  to  conftipations  ;  and  fometimcs  tht  faces 
are  fo  hardened,  as  to  be  excreted  with  great  difficulty.  The  re- 
tention of  them  too  long  may  therefore  not  only  caufe  an  acrimony 
to  lodge  in  the  inteftinej^^^rodudlive  of  belly-ach,  or  other  fpaf- 
modic  complaints;  but  give  rife  to  bad  fevers,  by  the  abforption  of 
fuch  an  acrid  and  putrid  humour  into  the  veins.  It  is  neceflary, 
therefore,  to  keep  the  body  always  open.  Chocolate  tends  to  this 
effe6t ;  and  it  is  obferved  by  Ulloa,  that,  at  Carthagena,  where  it  is 
to  be  had  extremely  cheap,  there  is  not  a  Negroe  flave  tut  allows 
himfelf  conftantly  a  regale  of  it  after  breakfaft  and  dinner ;  but 
they  never  ufe  itfqfting^  nor  without  eating  fomethtng  with  it.  I 
have,  rn  another  place,  cautioned  Europeans,  newly  arrived,  from 
indulging  too  much  in  it,  efpecially  when  made  thick.  I  alluded 
to  the  coftlier  fort  of  chocolate,  manufadlured  herewith  cinnamon, 
and  other  hot  fpices,  which  are  the  ingredients  that  render  it  im- 
proper for  them.  But  the  common  fort,  chiefly  ufed  among  the 
free  Negroes,  and  others  of  the. natives  who  love  it  plain,  is  giixed 
up  with  maize;  and  this  may  be  fafely  ufed  by  fuch  Europeans, 
diluted  with  milk  and  water:  in  this  ftate  it  will  be  found  rather 
.cooling  than  heating  ;  and  the  addition  of  fugar  makes  it  the  more 
aperitive.  Sedcs  Jigurata  Vitt  feldom  obferved  in  this  climate; 
which  may  be  afcribed  to  the  weaker  periftaltic  motion  above 
remarked,  as  well  as  to  the  diet  purfued  by  moft  of'  the  inhabitants^ 
confiding  chiefly  of  vegetables  and  (blublc  fubftatices. 

In  all  hot  countries  it  has  been  obferved,  that  healthy  people  ge^ 
nerally  perfpire  very  much  ;  and  this  (from  the  greater  difpofition 
of  the  humours  to  putrefcence)  may  be  accounted  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal confervators  of  health.  It  is  therefore  furprizing  to  find  Mr. 
Reaumur  aflert,  **  that  peripiration  impairs  the  longevity  of  all 
•*  animals,  by  difcharging,  not  only  the  ufclefs,  but  nutritious^  parts 
"of  the  animal  fluids  ;  and  that  an  excefs  of  perfpiration  feems  to 
"  be  the  reafon  why  the  inhabitants  of  hot' climates,  live  a  (horter 
*^  term  than  thofe  who  inhabit  the  temperate  zones;'*  for^  in  fadt,. 

this 


BOOK    III.       CHAP.    VI.  s^^ 

this  efFeft,  by  a  wafte  of  a£lual  fubftancc,  can  only  happen  when* 
the  body  is  kept  unrepleniflied,  by  fupplies  of  nutriment,  to  repair 
the  lofs  of  what  may  be  carried  off  by  this  means.  Hence  thofe* 
who  are  mod  healthy,  are  known  to  dilute  more  frequently  and 
plentifully  than  others ;  their  perfpiration  chiefly  eliminates  aqueous 
particles,  which  are  fpeedily  replaced  ;  they  do  not  grow  emaciated^ 
but  plump;  and  gain,  inftead  of  lofing,  weight;  which  would  not 
be  the  cafe,  if  the  fadlwas  as  Mr.  Reaumur  fuppofes.  Neither  is  it 
proved,  that  the  native  inhabitants  of  hot  climates  are  fliorter-lived 
than  thofe  of  the  temperate  zones ;  (ince  there  are  many  inftances 
to  the  contrary,  both  in  the  iflands,  and  on  the  continent  of  South- 
America. 

The  reapers  in  Pennfylviania,  who  work  in  the  opea  fields,  in  the 
clear,  hot  fun-(hine,  common  in  their  harveft-time  (about  the  end 
of  June,  or  beginning  of  July),  find  themfelves  very  able  to  ga 
through  that  labour,  without  being  much  incommoded  by  the  heat,, 
while  they  continue  to  fvveat,  and  while  they  fupply  matter  jfor 
keeping  up  that  fweat,  by  drinking  frequently  of  a  thin,  evaporable; 
liquor,  water  mixed  with  rum  ;  but,  if  the  fweat  ftops,  they  drop,, 
and  fometimes  die  fuddenly,  if  a  fweating  is  not  brought  on  agaia 
by  drinking  that  liquor,  or  (as  fome  rather  chufe  in  that  cafe)  a 
kind  of  hot  punch,  made  with  water  mixed  with  honey,  and  a  con- 
fiderable  proportion  of  vinegar.  Hence  Dr.  FrankUn  very  pro- 
perly concludes,  that  the  quicker  evaporation  of  pepfpirable  matter 
from  the  Ikin  and  lungs  of  Negroes,  by  cooling  them  more,  en- 
ables them  to  bear  the  fun*s  heat  fo  much  better  than  the  Whites 
can  do ;  though,  abftra£l:ed  from  this,  the  colour  of  their  Ikina 
would,  other  wife,  make  them  more  fenfible  of  that  heat  [o\.  From 
the  fame  caufe,  jjerhaps,  it  is,  that  they  do  not  bear  cold  weathec 
ib  well,  and  are  more  apt  to  have  their  limbs  froft- bitten  in  the 
Northern  parts  of  America ;  their  greater  evaporation  contributing 
to  chill  them  more  fcverely.  However  this  hypothefis  may  be,  it 
is  certain,  that  Europeans,  coming  to  refide  in  the  Weft-Indies, 
are  never  known  to  enjoy  their  health  and  fpirits,  unlefs  they  per- 
fpire  freely  ;  and  thofe,  who  continue  to  do  fo,  are  not  afiiifted 
with  ficknefs  fo  long  as  it  continues :  that  regimen  thefore  of  diet, 

[o]  Frankliji*s  Papers  on  Philofophical  SubjeAs.. 


JAMAICA. 

of  cxeretfe,  tnd  cloathing,  which  anfwers  beft  fbr  fupporting  this 
.  regular  flow,  without  carrying  it  to  extremCf  is  the  moft  falutary 
fbr  European  ftcangers  to  purfue.     The  natives,  black  and  white^ 
are  not  fubjed,  like  Earopeans,  to  bilious,  putrid,  and  malignant 
fevers  :  they  are  not  only  habituated  to  the  climate,  but  to  a  dif- 
ference in   refpe^t  to  diet  and  manners;    which  works  no  fmall 
x^hange  in  mens  conftitutiom.     A  Creole,  if  he  was  to  addid  him- 
felf  to  that  kind  of  diet  whicb  is  known  to  have  a  tendency  to 
produce  putrid  difbrders,  or  an  acrid,  corrupt  bile,  would  no  more 
be  exempt  from  them,  than  an  European.     I  knew  a  Creole  boy, 
of  about  fix  years  of  age,  whof  being,  retrained  by  his  mother 
from  eating  any  fort  of  fruit  or  vegetables  (the  former,  left  they 
fliould  generate  worms ;   and  the  latter,  through  fear  of  acidities 
and  gripes)  made  his  principal  meal  every  day  on  butchers  meat, 
fowl,  or  fifh,    without  fait,  feafoning,  or  any  breadi  except  now 
and  then  a  very  fmall  quantity,  and  wafiied  it  down  with  plain 
water.    The  boy,  after  perfifting  for  fome  months  in  this  regi« 
men,  wa$  feized   with  a  very  violent,    bilious,   remittent  fever, 
accompanied   with  a  delirium  and    other    bad    fymptoms,    that 
threatened  his  life;  but,  by  adminiAering  the  bark  inwardly,  ap- 
l^lying  poultices  of  it  externally  to  the  ftomach  and  abdomen^ 
and  often  foaking  his  feet  in  a  ftrong  warm  deco£biou  of  it,  he 
2it  length  recovered,  and  doubttefs  owed  his  life  to  this  noble  ipe« 
ci6c,  thus  thrown  into  his  body  by  (b  many  difierent  ways*    But 
the  acrimony  in  his  blood  was  apparent,  from  the  Taft  abun- 
dance  of  boils,   which  broke  out   afterwards  from  head  to  foot. 
I  think  it  probable,   that  the  luxuriant  fie(h*diet  of  Engliflimen 
at  home,  together  with  ibme  icorbutic  taint  in  their  blood,  may 
be  ailigned  partly  as   an  occafional  caufe  of  their  being  move 
obnoxious,  generally  fpeaking,  to  bad  fevers  in  the  WeftJndies, 
than  many  other  Northern  nations.    This,  however,  is  not  the  fole 
caufe,  becaufe  we  find  that  Englilfa  women ,  who  are  alfi>  equally 
fle(h-eater9,  and  liable  to  the  fame  fcorbutic  taint  in  a  degree,  are 
not  fo  often  feized  with  thefe  dangerous  fevers ;  nor  are  they  at« 
tacked  fo  violently,  nor  to  fuch  a  degree  of  malignancy.    Perhaps^ 
we  may  impute  this  diverfity  to  the  more  cool  and  temperate  regi- 
men of  the  women,  their  lefs  expofure  to  heat  and  hard  exercifd  in 
the  fun,  lefs  addidion  to  intemperance,  and  late  hours. 

There 


BOOK    m.    CHAR    VL  535 

There  may  be  other  reaibiis  fuggefted  for  the  difTerence  ob- 
ferved  between  the  Englifh  men,  and  thofe  of  other  countries* 
Firtty  their  exceffive  indulgence  in  a  promifcuous  commerce  on 
their  firft  arrival,  with  the  black  and  mulatto  women  ;  and  this,  with 
fb  little    prudence  and  caution  in  their  amours,    that  they  arc 
almoft  morally  fure  of  being  very  fpeedily  infedled«     The  facility^. 
with  which  the  milder  fymptoms  of  the  virus  are  removed,  in  this 
warm  atmofphere,  ferves  only  as  an  incentive  to  theie  perions,  and 
renders  them  indifferent  and  carelefs  about  conlequences ;  for  a  go^ 
norrh(£a Jimplex  yields  in  a  very  few  days  to  gentle  medicines.     £n« 
couraged,  therefore^  to  perfevere  in  this  unheeding  courfe,  they  ia 
due  time  attain  to  the  higheft  honours  this  impure  contact  is  qua.- 
liiied  to  confer,  as  a  reward  for  their  temerity  \  the  coniequence  oi^ 
which  is,  their  being  laid  under  abfolute  necefiity  of  prs^ing  ta 
thfeir  god  Mercury  for  relief.      Not  a  few  alfo  arrive  here,  wha 
.  have  already  paiTed  through  many  of  theie  fiery  trials  in  London^ 
and  other  feats  of  debauchery.    It  has  beea  remarked  by  &veraL 
of  the  moft  eminent  phyficians,  and  ftands  confirmed  by  repeated 
experience,   that  mercurial  medicines  are  attended  with  the  moft 
pernicious  effects  upon  icorbutic  habits»  and  on  fuch  as  are  difpoled: 
to  putrid  fevers.    Thefe  gentlemen  all  agree  in  opinion^  that  the: 
power  of  mercurials  chiefly  confifls  in  weakening  and  relaxing  the 
folids,  and  in  attenuating  and  diflblving  the  fluids  ;  a  human  body 
therefore,  which  has  recently   undergone  a  mercutial  regimeu,  is» 
already  on  the  very  brink  of  putrefadron,   and   very   ill  prepared 
to  refifl  the  aflault  of  a  putrid  fever..    Thus  in  the  fcurvy^  a  very 
finall  quantity  of  mercury  is  fufficitnt  to  tn'ing  on  a  falivation,. 
WhW;  this  diforder  raged  among  the  imperial  troc^a  in  Hungary^. 
four^bundred  foldiers,  who  took  mercury  contrary  to  the  advice  of 
their  phyfician^  all  died  to  a  man  in  a  falivation*.    Fringle  obfenres,^ 
that  perfans  who  have  lately  undergone  a  faUvation,  and  whofe 
blood  is  confequently  in  a  (late  of  diilblution,  are  much  fooner  iu« 
ieded  by  noxious  effluvia  than  others;^  and^  that  malignant  fevers,. 
9nd  the  fcurvy  alfo^  are  rendered  more  fevere  and   dangerous   ill 
fuch   circumftances.      To  the  fame  efleil  is   the  remark  oi  De 
JMonchyy  who  found,  that,    after  uiing  mercury  in  venereal  difbr^ 

2  ders^ 


536  JAMAICA. 

tiers,  the  Peruvian  bark  lofes  a  great  part  of  its  efficac}',  in  the  moft 
virulent  cafes.     Thus,    that  admirable  n^edicine  the  bark,  which 

.  in  found  habits  proves  a  fovereign  antidote  againd  putrid  and  ma* 
lignant  fevers,  is  robbed  of  its  virtue  by  the  putrefa£live  coun- 
teradion  of  mercurials ;  thefe  noxious  efFe£ls  therefore,  conjunfUy 

with  any  morbid  difpofition  of  the  humours,  or  with  a  bad  air, 
and  improper  diet,  or  too  violent  exercife  in  the  fun,  may  eaiily  and 
naturally  either  hafteu  the  attack  of  a  putrid  diftemper,  or  promote 
•the  exacerbations  of  it,  if  already  formed  ;  and,  fuch  being  allowed 
the  predifpofing  caufes,  it  is  eafy  to  admit,  that  a  common  fever 
Ji^ay  (bon  degenerate  into  a  putrid,  and  even  one  of  the  moft  ma- 
lignant fpecies.     The   female  flaves,  and  even  free  Blacks,  in  our 

'  plantations,  are  few  of  them  exempt  from  this  virus ;  but  they 
4:onceal  it  Uy  every  artifice  in  their  power,  that  no  delay  may  hap- 
pen in  their  bufinefs;  for  a  hindrance  in  this  refpeft  would  be  a 
certain  lofs  of  profit  to  th§m.  What  Ulloa  mentions  of  the  Spa- 
niards at  ^ifOf  is  applicable  to  thefe  traders:  he  tells  us,  "  The 
*'  venereal  difeafe  is  there  fo  common,  that  few  perfons  are  free 
**  from  it ;  even  little  cbildreny^  incapable  by  their  age  of  having 
**  contracted  it  aftively,  have  been  known  to  be  attacked  with  it 
«  in  the  fame  degree  as  perfons  who  have  acquired  it  by  their 
*'  debauchery  ;  the  chief  caufe  of  its  prevalence,  is  negligence  in  the 
"  cure.  This  difeafe  muft  naturally  be  thought  in  fome  meafure 
^*  to  (horten  their  lii^es;  though  it  is  not  uncommon,  to  fee  per- 
*«  fons  live  to  feventy-five  years  or  more,  who  have  never  been  en- 
"  tircly  free  from  that  diftemper,  either  hereditary  or  contracted, 
"  from  their  early  youth.''  It  is  probable,  that  the  Scotch  and 
Irifh,  who  come  over  with  founder  conftitutions,  lefs  impaired 
perhaps  by  fcorbutic  and  venereal  taints,  are,  for  this  reafon,  more 
healthy  than  the  Englifli ;  befides,  the  Scotcli^  in  particular,  if  not 
more  chafte,  are  at  leaft  in  general  more  circumfpedl  in  their 
amours^ 

I  knew  an  European  gentleman,  who,  by  imprudent  connexions 
of  this  Ibrt^  was  infe£led  not  only  by  the  lues  venerea^  but  with  the 
yaws  at  the  fame  time  ;  under  thefe  two  diftempers  (than  which 
there  are  fexv  in  Pandora's  box  more  loathfome),  he  lingered  for  a 

long 


BO  O  K   HI.     C  H-A  p.   VI.  s^7^ 

long  time ;  the  remedies  proper  for  the  one,    only  ferved  to  exa- 
fperate  the  other;   and  therefore  not  being  able,  by  the  powers  of. 
mercury,  to  obtain  relief,   he  was  obliged  to  leave  the  iflaud,  in. 
the  hope  of  receiving  fome  benefit  from  the  advice  of  phyficians  in 
Great  Britain.     Another,  a  young  man  of  a  lively  but   lafcivious 
turn,  for  feveral  months  after  his  arrival,  was  fcarcely  ever  free  , 
from  venereal  infedtion,  having  not  patience  to  wait  the  cure  of  one  , 
taint^  before  he  contracted  another  ;  by  this  infane  conduct,  a  fall- 
vation  became  neceflary ;   debilitated  with    this,  and  his  preceding  . 
e^cefles,  he  was   fuddenly,   upon  fome   little   irregularity,   feized 
with  a  fever,  fo  flight  at  firft^  that,  .had   not  his conftitution  been  ■ 
worn  do^yn,  and  his  whole  habit  degenerated,  it  would  have  been 
eafily  removed  ;  but,  beipg  aggravated  by  the  tabid  ftate  to  which 
his  body  was, then  reduced,   it  turned   by  degrees  to  a  highly  pu-  . 
trid  diftemper,  and  carrie4  hiai  ofF^ 

Cataftrophes  .  of  this   nature,  it  is  to  be  feared,    have  but  too  : 
often  occurred  in  the  ifland,  to  the  untimely  deArudion  of  many  ' 
an  improvident  youth ;  nor  aref  our  furgeons  wholly  to  be  excul- 
pated, whp  arc  but  too  fond  of  prefcribing  mercurials  upon  all  oc«  i 
cafions,  without  adverting  to  their. fatal. operation  on. fome  habits.      > 

Ardent  Jpirits^  particularly  brandy,,  and  fre(h  diftilled  rum,  in  ex^ 
cefsj  are  no  lefs  injurious  in  all  cafes  where  the  humours  have  a  ' 
difpoiition  to  putrefcence ;  although,  when  ufed  with  due  mode* 
ration,  and  not  too  frequently,  they  arc   antifcptic,  or  antiputref- 
cejot.     What   chance  have  thofe  men   for  longevity,  who  a£t  as 
if,  they  vvere  engaged  in  a  perpetual  con fpiracy  againft  their  own  . 
health  j  who  are   inceffantly  inflaming  and  irritating  their  blood 
and  juices  with  an  acrimony,  that  is  produdive  of  mortal  diflem«  . 
pers  ;  who  indulge  beyond  meafure  in  fiery  fpirits ;  carelefsly  hurry 
about,  and  ufe  violent  exercifes  in   the  hottefl:  part  of  the  hotteft 
days[^];  fit   up  late  at  night,   deprive  their  bodies  of  refrefliing 
fleep,  and  expofe  them  to  the  night  air  j  and  lafl:ly,  who  plunge 

[fi]  From  a  great  increafe  of  corporeal  motion,  and  a  want  of  r^pole  and  fleep,  the  fame  con- 
iequences  are  to  be  expected  as  from  fevers ;  the  nature  of  which  conlifls  in  an  accelerated 
circulation  of  the  blood,  attended  of  courfe  with  an  exceflive  heat ;  whence  proceeds  an  en- 
fuing  putcefccDcy  of  the  humours  :  juil  as  a  bare^  killed  after  being  hard  run  for  a  confiderable 
time»  becomes  ibooer  tainted  than  one  that  has  been  killed  upon  its  form.  De  MoNCHr* 

Vol.  II.  Z  z  z  headlong 


5s8  JAMAICA. 

headlong  Into  venereal  debauches,  and  a  mercurial  regimen !  ought 
the  premature  fate  of  fuch  men,  to  be  charged  on  climate  ?  They 
who  follow  fuch  improper  courfes,  muft  cout>t  on  their  natural 
confequenccs ;  and  unlefs,  by  the  perverfion  of  their  intellectual 
faculties,  they  can  be  acquitted  as  lunatics  or  idiots,  they  muft 
expeft,  in  the  award  of  divine  juftice,  to  be  deemed  gtlilty  of  felf* 
murder ;  having  willfully,  wickedly,  and,  I  am  fure,  I  may  add 
wantonlyf  put  themfelves  to  death,  by  means  as  effectual,  as  if 
they  had  ufed  arfenic,  or  a  dagger, 

Early-rifingy  which  has  been  fpoken  of  with  the  greateft  enco- 
miums by  medical- writers,  for  its  contributing  very  eminently  to 
the  health,  vigour,  and  adivity  of  animal  life,  as  well  as  rational, 
is  particularly  neceilary  in  Jamaica ;  and  no  man  ever  attained  to 
longevity  here,  who  was  not  an  early  rifer  j  nor  are  Any  fb  healthy, 
4s  thofe  who  religioufly  addict  themfelves  to  this  pradice.  It  is 
ncceflary  here,  becaufe  nothing  more  relaxes  the  body  than  the 
warmth  of  a  bed,  more  efpecially  if  fleep  is  indulged  at  a  tinie 
when  the  fun  has  afcended  to  fome  height  above  the  horizon,  and 
renewed  the  heat  of  the  atmofphere  [q].  The  morning  air  is  here 
delightfully  cool ;  and  the  mod  agreeable  time  for  exercife  is  be** 
fore^  or  juft  about,  fun-ri(ei  they  who  exerciie  at  this  hour ^  feel 
tbetr  bodies  refrelhed  and  vigorous,  fo  as  to  fuf^r  no  inconvenience 
from  heat  during  the  remainder  of  the  day.  The  bed  ihould  be 
forfaken  by  (ix  oVlock  at  furtheft  -,  many  there  are  who  rife  at  five ; 
this  fuppofes  an  early  retreat  to  reft,  the  preceding  evening ;  the 
more  common  bed^time  at  night,  is  fi^oiii  ten  to  eleven.  They 
who  lounge  till  eight  or  nine  in  the  morning,  and  make  it  an  ha- 
bitaal  pradice,  cannot  be  long  free  from  diflemper;  it  is  Adt  only, 

[q\  It  18  a  curious*  although  not  a  new  remark^  that  the  inhabitants  within  the  Tiopici  flecp 
lefs  than  thofe  who  dwell  iti  iSie  cold,  Northern  cliinaces ;  I  believe,  the  difference  in  this  ttfyddi^ 
between  a  healthy  peifon  in  Jamaica,  and  another  in  Britain^  may,-  on-  a  £ur  calculation^  an&6unt 
at  leaft  to  thirty  days  pfr  amum^  If  an  inhabitant  of  England  ileeps  ei^  htmn'a  night,  at 
an  averagje  the  year  throughout,  the  inhabitant  of  Jamaica  will  be  found  to  ileep  not  more  than 
feven ;  confequently,  the  latter  poifeiles  thirty  days,  or  Upwards,  of  cbnfcious  exiileooe  ta6tt 
than  the  former ;  and,  at  the  end  of  twelve  y<»ir»»  may  be  (aid  to  have  outlived  the  other  fay  a 
full  twelvemonth.  How  fiir  thi»  diiference  may  tend  to  free  the  Weft-Indifid  fn>m  fome  dif* 
tempers,  incident-  to  Northern  drowfinefs,  or  td  irr-icdte  hts  aiiimal  fpirit^^  or  enliveo  hk  fiicul* 
ties,  has  not  yet  been  examined  1  but  it  is  probi^e,  that  it  may  obviate,  in  (bme  degree,  the  t^ 
laxing  effeifb  of  a  warm  atmofphere,  and  fweep  away  that  gloom  from  the  foul,  which  No- 
vember w«wlier  is  lb  apt  to  caft  upon  it  in  England; 

that 


BOOK   III.     CHAR  Vi.  539 

that  an  cxcefs  of  flcep,  inftead  of  nourifhiug  and  «frelhing,  eneis 
vates  and  enaafculates,  the  human  frame^  but  the  body  gains  not 
a  moment^s  refpite  from  heat,  or  relaxation ;  it  is  heated  during 
the  day,  it  is  heated  again  by  fitting  up  late ;  and,  after  retiring  tq 
bed,  it  is  plunged  into  a  kind  of  hot  bath ;  and  lies  ilewing  in  it$ 
own  vapours :  while,  as  the  fun  draws  nearer  the  meridian,  the  air 
grows  more  fervid  every  moment.  So  beneficial  indeed  is 
the  cuftom  of  early  rifing  in  this  climate,  that  it  fortifies  the  or- 
gans againft  the  invafion  of  ficknefs,  and  is  of  more  importance 
than  any  other  branch  of  regimen ;  more  eipecially,  if  joined  to 
moderate  cxercife* 

It  is  difficult  to  fay,  what  degree  of  exercife  a  man  may  ufe  here 
without  danger ;  it  muft  perhaps  be  confidered  relatively  to  menss 
different  conftitutions,  and  ftrength.  The  weakeft  are  ftrengthencd 
by  it,  and  the  ftrongeft  become  weak  without  it.  In  general,  I 
believe,  the  inhabitants,  efpecially  Europeans,  ufe  it  to  a  greater 
degree  every  day,  than  men  in  general  do  in  England,  and  with 
feemingly  lefs  fatigue^  I  have  myfelf  traveled  frequently  fifty  miles 
in  a  day  on  horfeback,  without  fufFering  any  laffitude,  and  always 
found  fuch  journies  moft  fupportable,  the  earlier  I  let  out  in  the 
morning  [r].  Put,  confidering  the  expenqe  of  perfpiration  and' 
fpirits»  which  the  body  undergoes  here  daily,  efpecially  in  the 
Southern,  diftri^s,  we  ought  to  infer,  that  a  lefs  degree  is  requifite 
here  for  health,  thaa  in  colder  climates  ;  for  it  feems  reafonable 
to  fuppofe,  that  we  (hould  endeavour  here,  rather  to  reftrain,  than 
promote,  all  violent  motions  of  the  blood  and  humours,  and  pre- 
lerve  them  calm  and  temperate,  at  the  fame  time  not  fufFering  ab- 
fplute  uiadtion  and  floth  to  pofTefs  us  fo  far^  as  to  caufe  a  ftagna- 
tipn ;  extraordinary  exercife  is  lefs  hurtful  than  fuch  an  indolent,^ 
motionlefs  habit  of  life.  The  beil  exercife  in  this  climate  is  gefla- 
tion,  ejJiher  in  a  wheel* carriage,  or  on  horfeback  ;  but  the  latter 
is  U>^  be  preferred^  except  in  long  journies.  But  walking  is  too. 
laborious,  and  attended  with  too  great  a  wade  of  fubila4ice  and. 
ffurits.  The  common  practice  of  many  in  the  towns,  who  are  con- 
tiaually  in  agitation,  and  take  the  fame  liberty  of  buflling  about 
on  foot,  at  all  hours  of  the  day,  as  if  they  were  in  London,  is  cvi-- 

[r]  Sixty  mUes  are  uiually  reckoned  here  a  day's  journey,  on  hotieback. 

Z  z  z  2  dently 


SAO  JAMAICA. 

dcntly  abfurd.    It  feems  probable,  that  fo  much  hurry,  which  in- 
crcafes   the  momentum  of  the  blood,  and   throws  the  whole  body 
into  violent  heat,  which  is  augmented  by  the  intenfe  ardour  of  the 
fun  at  noon,  may  bring  on  fevers  of  the  moft  fatal  kind.     This 
jpraftice    is  equally   injudicious  and  unnecfeflary;   the  former,  be- 
caufe  it  may  be  produ£live  of  fevere    illnefs ;  the  latter,  becaufe, 
by  riling  early,  much  cooler  hours   might  be  found  for  tranfading 
all  the  bufinefs,  which  any   man  who  values  his  health  can,  or  at 
leaft  ought  to,  go  through  in  this  climate,  during  the  forenoon. 
When  bufinfefs  demands  attendance  abroad,  they  ought  to  choofe 
the  morning  and  afternoon  for  difpatching  it,  and  keep  within  doors, 
or  in  the  fl"iade,  at  that  time  of  the  day  when   the  folar  rays  are 
felt  with  mofl  force  and  inconvenience  ;  but,    if  they   cannot  avoid 
expofing    themfelves,  they  ought   to  walk   flowly,  and  ufe  fome 
other  precautions,   to  guard  againft  any  bad  efFeds.     The  Negrqes 
arm  their  heads   with  a  load  of  handkerchiefs,   carefully   twifted 
about  them,  in  form  of  a  turban.     The  Eaftern  nations  ufe  the 
turban,  which  is  not  more  calculated  for  ornament,  than  as  a  pre- 
fervative  againft  the  violent  a<StIon  of  the   meridian  fun  upon  the 
delicate,  capillary   veilels  in  the  head;  the  obftrudion  of  which 
occafions  obftinate  head-achs,  agd  fometimes  that  fatal  apoplejcy, 
called  by  the  French,  coup  defokiL     In  the   French,  Spanifli,  and 
Port uguefe  colonies,   umbrellas  are  in  general   ufe,    and  found  ex- 
tremely ferviceable   to  protect  the    head  and  t)*ody'from  this  un- 
wholefome  fultrincfs.      But  our  brave   countrymen,  defpifing  alt 
t*hefe  precautions,  as  too  ridiculous,  or  too  effeminate,  courageoufly 
face  the  fun  at  high  noon ;  and  will  fuffer  death  rather    than  put 
on  any  armour  for  their  defence.     It  is  not  therefore  without  jufb 
feafon,  that  the  Spaniards,  who   fit   calmly  within   doors,  whilft- 
honeft  John   Bull  is  anxioufly  trotting  about  his  bufinefs,  all  be^- 
fmeared  with  duft  and  fweat,  foy  proverbially,  that,  **  no  animal, 
*<  except  a  dog  and  an  Rnglijhmatiy  is  to  be  feen  walking  the  ftreets 
**  in  the  middle  of  the  day.'* 

'  Doctor  Hflary  exclaims  moft  profanely  ?i^7i\x\^  dancing :  *•  It  is^ 
«'  fays  he,  too  violent  an  exercife  for  a  hot  climate,  and  many  in- 
*•-  jijre  their  health  stxy  greatly  by  it ;  I  have  known  ic  fatal  to 
*>  fome ;  neither  is  it  ufed  in  the  Eaftera  hot  countries.    But  moft 

of 


BOOK   III.    CHAP.  VI.  54t 

*  *  *     

**  of  the  ladies  are  fo  tfxceffively  fond  of  it,  that,  fay  what  I  will,  they 
"  ivill  dance  on^^ 

•  The  dodor  very  rightly  concludes  his  foliioquy,  in  defpair  of  pre- 
vailing on  his  fair  audience  to  dtfiftfrom  air  amufement  fo  delightful  to 
them,  and,  in  my  opinion,  fo  innocent,  if  not  carried  to  excefs.  1  fear 
the  doiftor  forgot  his  reading,  when  he  aflerted  that  no  fuch  diverfion 
Was  in  nfe  in  the  Eaftem  hot  countries;  there  are  none  of  them,  per- 
haps, where  it  is  not  in  ufe:  we  find  it  in  Afia,  in  Africa,  and  every 
part  of  America.  The  Indians  of  South  America  are  particularly  fond 
of  it;  even  the  grave  Spaniard  here  is  melted  into  an  affeflion  for  it, 
and  capers  mfarabands  ^nd  Jaldangos  ;  the  natives  of  Jamaica  are  dan- 
cers trom  their  infancy.  The  domefiic  life  of  women,,  which  prevents^ 
them  from  exercifing  abroad  as  much  as  the  other  fex,  naturally  in- 
clines them  to  love  thofe  aftive  amufcments  which  may  be  followed 
within  doors;  dancing  therefore,  confidered  as  an  exercife,  is  healthy 
and  proper  for  them,  promotes  the  circuliation  of  the  blood;  and  re- 
fireflies  the  fpirits  in  the  moftf  agreeable  manner,  by  the  chearfulneft 
and  gaiety  which  it  infpires.  In  Jamaica,^  indeed,  it  is  fcarcely  to  be 
called  an  exercife  within  doorsy  the  windows  are  all  thrown  open,  and 
the  dancers  enjoy  a  conftant  fucceffion  of  frcfti  air.  It  is  very  different 
here  in  its  effefts  from  what  it  is  in  cold  countries,  where  the  heat,  and 
offenfive  fmell  of  fires  and  lights,  and  the  atmofphere.  of  a  clofe  apart- 
faietit^from  which  the  external  air  is  carefully  excluded,  and  which  is 
further  vitiated  by  the  breath  and  copious  perfpiration  oif  a.  multitude 
of  perfons  crowded  together,  make  it  produftive  of  no  lalutary.  confe- 
quence.  It  has  rarely  been  prejudicial  in  Jamaica,  except  where  com^ 
mon  prudence  was  wanting  afterwards,  and  the  parties  have  carelefsly 
expofed  themfelves,  when  in  a  profufe  perfpiration,  to  the  damp  and 
chilling  midnight  air.  They,  who  are  more  cautious,  cloathe  them- 
ftlves  properly  on  going  home,  put  on  dry,  well-aired  linen,  take  a  lit- 
tle draught  of  fome  warm  liquor  at  getting  into  bed,  and  feldom  feel, 
arty  bad  eflfedt,' even  after  what  fome  may  think  an  excefs;  the  princi- 
pal reafon  for  which  may  be,  that  the  pleafure  and  vivacity,  infeparable 
from  it,  i\t  fome  meafure  counteraft  the  laffitude  which  fo  much  moi- 
tibn  (mechanically  confidered)  would  naturally  bring  on,  and  pre« 
p3re  the  bbdy  For  a  found  and  undifturbed  fleep,  which  reftores  very, 
l^eedily  the  walleof  fpirits;  infomuch,  that  1  have  known  in  this  ifland,, 

a  re- 


542  JAMAICA. 

a  regular  dancing-bout  perfifted  in  for  a  whole  weak,  not  interfiiitting 
a  fingle  night,  without  any  ill  confcquencc  to  the  parties  concerned. 
However,  it  is  certainly  more  advifeable  to  ufe  it  in  moderation;  and, 
thus  ufed,  it  will  prove,  in  my  humble  opinbn,  a  healthfql  recreation^ 
an  excellent  antidote  to  cares,  and  a  happy  promoteJ^  of  nupti^  unions. 

The  utility  of  bathing  need  |iot  be  in^fted  on^  wbe^^  w^  find  it 
pra^ifed  by  the  White  and  Negroe  natives  fo  univerfally,  and  con-r 
ftantly.  Frequent  walhing  the  body  with  W3,ter,  deanfes  the  perfpira<» 
tory  duds  from  that  foulnefs  that  is  continually  falling  upon  them 
from  their  own  condenfed,  dewy  atmofphere;  the  xpiddle  of  die  day  i^ 
fittest  for  this  operation,  in  water  which  has  been  placed  forae  hours  in 
tbe  fun-(hine,  (o  as  to  acquire  a  tolerable  degree  of  warmth.  The 
Negroes  walh  in  the  open  rivers  at  that  time,  and  find  it  moft  whole- 
fome,  by  experience ;  they  have  a  different  opinion,  of  cold-bathing ;  and 
indeed  it  feems  not  proper  for  this  climate,  except  at  a  very  early  hour 
^before  fun- rife,  and  in  the  cooler  mountainous  or  North  fide  parts,  ra- 
ther than  the  Southern :  in  ^he  latter,  I  have  known  three  or  four  &tal 
accidents  which  have  follow^  plusgUig  in  cold  water  in  the  heat  of 
the  day.  It  (hould  feem  therefore  more  eligible  to  follow  that  ulage^ 
which,  experience  (hews  to  be  not  only  healthy,  but  necefiary  to  cleann 
^Inefs,  than  to  try  experiments  which  have  proved  unfuitable  tp  the 
climate,  and  are  condemned  by  the  native  inhabitants,  whofe  judge- 
ment has  originally  been  founded  upon  trials,  of  what  cufiom  was 
'iiurtful,  and  what  harmlefs. 

The  influence  of  the  fajjions  upon  health,  has  been  the  fubjed  of 
many  difiertations  from  medical  pens;  in  this  coimtry  it  mufi:  operate 
with  double  force,  where  men  are  movt  feelingly  alive  tp  joy  or  inquie* 
4xide;  where  the  nervous  fyftem  is  far  more  irritable  than  in  a  North- 
ern climate.  Men  of  lively  imaginations  and  great  vivacity  (andfuch 
;are  the  natives  of  this  ifland)  are  more  liable  than  others,  tp  fudden  and 
violent  emotions  of  the  mind,  and  their  effeds  i  fuch  flrong  and  fuddea 
tranfports  may  a(9:ually  throw  men  into  acute  difeafes :  but  the  flow 
and  durable  pafiions,  folicitude,  grief,  fiified  refentment,  and  vexation, 
.are  more  oiten  dangerous  and  mortaL  Thefe  confuming  enemies  to 
jiealth  diflurb  the  fundions  of  the  ilomach,  and  vitiate  its  julpes,  io. 
that  no  wholefpme  chyle  or  nourifliment  can  enter  the  blood ;  the  pa- 
tient languiflies  under  a  bad  habit  of  body,  contra^cd  from  this  cauie, 
2  pines 


BOOK  Iir.     CHAP.   Vl.  543 

pines  with  atrophy,  and  want  of  refrefhing  fleep ;  hence  a  complication 
of  difeafes  fucceeding  each  other,  from  bad  to  woHe ;  and^  imlefs  he  can 
fubdue  his  anxiety,  and  reflore  peace  to  his  mind,  he  gradually  finks 
under  it,  and  dies,  as  it  is  faid,  of  a  broken  heart  [j]. 

Anxiety  afle£is  men  in  this  country  in  proportion  to  their  fenfibi- 
lity,  and  to  its  duration.  When  once  it  has  taken  a  firm  hold,  it  is 
generally  produ6ti\re  of  mortal  confequences.  Multitudes  have  expir- 
ed here  under  the  preffure  of  this  flital  caiife.  Hurriwd  by  levity  of 
difpofition»  or  want  of  thought,  into  an  expeiifive  way  of  living,  or 
imprudent  fchemes  and  purfuits  ;  diftrefs  has  poured  in  upon  them  at 
once  Kke  a  deluge.  Fretted,  and  wearied  out  at  length  with  the  con- 
flift,  and  elofely  befct  on  all  fides  with  implacable  creditors,  they  bare 
yielded  paffively  to  their  fate,  and  funk  down  into  the  grave,  under  a 
load  that  was  too  grievous  for  their  mind  to  fupport.  In  fuch  defpe- 
rate  circumftances,  a  (Tight  indifpofition  is  foon  converted  into  one 
niore  formidable;  the  fymptonis  become  more  and  more  dangerous, 
and  the  malignancy  increafes  every  day,  till,  in  the  end,  it  has  de* 
ftroycd  chofe,  who  required  the  aid  of  good  fpirits  and  chearfulnefs,  to 
fecond  the  efficacy  of  medicine ;  every  drug  has  loft  hi  Ufual  virtue ; 
the  organs  refufe  to  perform  their  fundions ;  and  thus,  the  difeafe  in 
the  mind  has  led  the  way  to  a  fure  conqueft  over  the  body.  The 
life  of  an  induftrious  planter  is  one  continued  fcene  of  aftlvity,  both  of 
body  and  mind.  He  is  neceflarily  engaged  in  many  publ?c  duties,  as 
well  as  pri^rate  affairs.  His  flumbers  are  often  difturbed  with  corro- 
ding cares,  the  failufe  of  feafoits,  the  cafualties  to  vfrhich  his  property 
may  be  liable,  and  th^  importunity  of  creditors.  Th6  day  is  ofteft  in- 
fufficient  for  the  multiplicity  of  bufirtefs  which  he  finds  himfelf  obfrg^d 
to  allot  to  it.  He  ought,  therefore,  to  arrange  his  various  oircup^tibns, 
arid  rfiake  them  conform  to  a  certain  orderly  train  and  jftiethocf,  that  he 
may  proceed  in  them  with  the  grbater  cafe  and  difpatch ;  atid,  by  this 
means,  retrench  great  part  of  the  perplexity,  which  muft  otherWiifc 
cnfue.  The  like  regular  method  he  ftiould  inforce  throughout  all  the 
inferior  departments  of  his  plantation}  and,  weighing  well  the  uncer- 
tainty of  all  human  pofleflidrts^,  ^tid  the  frequent  vici^tudes  of  fortune, 
he  (hould  determine  With  hittlfetftA  c6hfitte  his  anntrirf  eipences  of  liv- 
ing  within  certain  jpijfitive  boUridS^  f(y  dA  riftt  tb  exceed,  if  poffiMe,^  one 

\s\  Cadogan  orf  Chroiuc  Difeafci". 

third 


544  J     A     M     A     I     C   .A. 

third  part  of  his  clear  income,  computed  upon  the  average  of  five  or 
feven  years  preceding.     Some  caution  may  likewife  be  requifite  in  his 
dealings  with  mankind ;  but  there  is  one,  which  particularly  merits 
his  confbnt  recolleftion ;  which  is,  that  more  perfons  in  this  country 
have  been  made  unhappy,  and  even  ruined,  by  other  mens  debts^  than 
by  their  own.     Let  him  therefore,  above  all  things,  keep  a  ftrift  guard 
over  the  liberality  or  credulity  of  his  own  temper,  and  refolve  inflexi- 
bly. Never  to  be  bound  for  any  man,  and  to  confider  debt  as  one  of  the 
nioft  fubftantial  evils  in  life.     By  a  courfe  of  even  moderate  ceconomy, 
ht  may  have  fome  little  overplus  at  the  year's  end;  and  let  this  be  ap- 
plied (if  neceffary)  to  fupply  the  wants  of  his  friend,  or  his  dependant. 
Men  are  not  injured  here  fo  much  by  what  they  lend,  or  give  away  to 
the  neceflitous,  as  by  fetting  their  hands  and  feals  to  paper  too  often, 
^nd  for  too  confiderable  fums;  which  unexpededly  rife  up  in  judge- 
ment againfl  them,  or  their  family,  after  many  years  have  elapfed.     B7 
engaging  as  collaterals^  they  have  made  themfclves^r/«^/^<7/r;  deftroy- 
cd  their  peace  of  mind;  involved  their  eftates,  and  beggared  their  child- 
ren; without  eflentially  benefiting  their  pretended  friend:  for  fuch  is 
the  ilrange  difpofition  of  a  finking  man,  that,  like  one  who  is  in  dan- 
ger of  drowning,  he  catches  at  every  ftraw  within  his  reach;  thinks 
of  nothing  but  temporary  expedients;  and,  between  hope  and  defpair 
of  extricating  himfelf  from  didrefs  and  ruin,  he  will,  even  when  he 
knows  it  will  turn  out  wholly  unavailing  to  his  own  affairs,  infidu- 
oufly  draw  his  heft  benefaflor  into  the  fame  abyfs,  to  perifli  with  him. 
Misfortunes  here,  in  planting  and  in  trade,  are  neceflarily  very  fre- 
<juent,  where  men  often  adventure  without  limits ;  give,  and  take  cre- 
dit; are  fubjed  to  be  hurt  by  mifplaced  good-nature  and  confidence; 
and  liable  to  various  calamities  and  lofles.     It  is  difficult  for  men  to 
reafon  themfelves  into  a  calm  compofure  under  affli6iions,  or  vexatious 
circumftances,  by  all  the  arguments  that  philofophy  or  religion  can 
furniih : 

**  Durum:  ftd  Itvius  patlentid^ 
**  Quidquid  corrigere  eft  nefas." 

.    "  'Tis  hard:  but /^;>/irc^  muft  endure, 
"  And  fbothe  the  woes  it  cannot  cure.*' 
This  is  the  remedy  which  philofophy  fuggefts,  as  the  beft  means  of 
alleviating  thofe  ills,  that  vexation  only  ferves  to  render  more  iharp 

and 


BOOK   III;    GHAP.   VL  545 

and  intolerable.  The  heathen  moralifls  called  it,  for  this  reafon, 
*<  partus  miferiarum\  the  afylum  of  miferies'/*  but  Chrijlian  patience 

.brings  infinitely  more  comfort  and  fupport.  This  inftrufls  us  to  be- 
lieve, th3t  nothing  befals  us,  except  by  the  pernaiffion,  or  the  direftion, 
of  Divine  Providence;  it  attracts  our  dependence  upon  that  Being, 
who  can  enable  us  to  bear  what>  otherwife,  the  frailty  of  our  nature 
muft  fink  under;  it  informs  us,  that  difeafes,  pain,  lofs  of  friends,  in- 
gratitude, difappointments  in  our  affairs,  and  all  the  various  ills  thai 

Jicjh  is  heir  tOj  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  good,  as  well  as  the  wicked :  the 
Divine  Being  exercifes  our  virtue  with  fuch  trials ;  corrects  our  vices 
and  miflakes  by  thefe  examples ;  leads  us  to  foberer  purfuits  and  coun* 
cils ;  and  excites  us  to  repofe  our  future  thoughts  on  his  care  for  our 
happinefs,  by  fubmitting  to  his  wife  and  provident  difpeniations,  with 
ferenity  and  fortitude.  Thefe  trials,  in  a  greater  or  lefs  degree,  every 
mortal  mufl  expeft  to  meet  with,  in  the  courfe  of  his  life ;  he  fees  con- 
tinual inflances  of  them,  if  he  will  but  turn  his  eyes  to  view  what  befals 
the  reft  of  mankind ;  he  ought  then  to  prepare  to  meet  them  himfelf; 
never  to  be  too  confident  under  good  fortune,  nor  too  defponding  un- 
der the  common  mifchances  to  which  all  are  equally  liable.  Inflead 
of  giving  way  to  thofe  corroding  thoughts,  which  keen  fenfibilityj 
when  too  much  indulged,  is  fure  to  aggravate  with  frefh  tortures  every 
moment,  he  fhould  apply  himfelf  to  meditate  on  the  means  of  leflen- 
ing  his  torment,  by  fubmiflion  to  the  Father  of  all  men,  and  frequent 
fupplications  to  him  for  affiftance  and  relief:  books,  exercife,  bufinefs, 
chearful  fociety,  any  innocent  amufements,  fhould  be  reforted  to,  for 
unbending  the  mind,  and  breaking  the  iron  chain  of  forrowful  reflec- 
tion. Too.  many  have  flown  to  the  bottle,  or  to  laudanum^  to  quafT 
the  fweet  oblivion  [/] ;  fuch  men  are  cowards,  who  have  neither  cou- 
rage to  bear  up  againfl  their  misfortunes,  nor  to  end  a  painful  exifl« 

ence 

[/]  I  cannot  avoid  taking  fome  notice  of  the  abufe  committed  by  many  peribns  here,  male  as  j 

well  as  female,  in  their  daily  potations  of  this  baneful  mixture;  feveral  of  both  fexes  love  to  be- 
come inebriated  with  it,  and  make  their  bcaft,  that^  of  all  liquors,  it  is  not  only  the  Ipeedieil  and 
cheapeft,  but  the  pleafanteft,  to  get  drunk  with.  This  vice  (for  a  notorious  vice  it  is)  has  ruined, 
and  ilill  ruins,  the  beauty  of  many  a  fine  woman  in  this  iiland,  both  in  complexion  and  conilitu- 
tion ;  for  it  fo  poifons  the  whole  corporeal  mafs,  as  to  render  the  lips  of  a  deadly  pale  or  livid  hue, 
and  the  face  cadaverous.  After  frequent  repetitions  of  it,  fo  importunate  and  flrong  are  its  folici- 
tations,  as  to  admit  of  no  denial,  till,  in  the  end,  it  conflrains  even  its  debauchees  to  abule  it.     One 

morning  I  paid  a  viiit  to  an  elderly  gentleman,  whom  I  had  iiequently  feen,  and  talked  with  be?  i 

Vol.  II.  ^4  A  fore- 


J46  JAMAICA. 

ence  by  one  bold  (Iroke ;  to  end  it  indeed  in  fucb  a  manner,  were  bnt 
a  temporary  cure,  for  this  world  only ;  and  the  means,  perhaps,  of  mak« 
ing  that  mifery  eternal,  which  otherwife  would  have  been,  at  the  word, 
of  (hort  duration.     To  combat  with  fteadinefs  againil  adverfity,  and 

reiblve 

fore,  at  otber  places*  I  ibutid  him  fitting  in  a  chair  in  his  hall,  and,  acceding  hini  as  ufual  in  as 
civil  a  manner  as  I  conld,  I  perceived  that,  contrary  to  his  former  polite  and  frieodly  manner,  he 
fiu  tegardkis  of  me,  and  every  thing  elfe  about  him,  except  that  his  eyes  were  fixed  upon  itie  with 
a  ghaHly  fiare*  Upon  this,  I  appeared  to  take  no  further  notice  of  him,  bur,  addreffing  myfclf  to 
the  other  company  prefent,  fat  down,  and  difcourfed  on  d'lfTerent  fubjefls.  Soon  after,  he  nrithdrcw* 
into  an  adjoining  room,  and,  flaying  there  not  half  long  enough  for  me  to  be  informed  what  his 
^fiirder  was,  he  returned  alert  and  chearful,  with  a  bottle  and  a  fpoon,  and  kindly  afked  me  if  I 
would  take  a  cordial  with  him ;  which  I  declined  doing,  as  I  did  ijiot  know  the  liquor;  but  he 
frankly  told  me,  it  was  liquid  laudanum  of  his  own  preparing,  of  which  he  had  juft  drunk  one  fpoon* 
ful,  and  fhould  at  leaft  twice  repeat  the  draught  in  courfe  of  the  day,  according  C4  a  cufbos  he  had 
|»ra^fcd  jdr  fomc  years  pafl.  It  was  fm-priiing  to  me,  to  fee  how  fuddenly  and  fiowerfully  it  had 
operated  upon  bimj  for,  inftead  of  the  torpid,  fpiritlefs  creature,  whom  I  firft  faw,  he  was,  in  the 
fpace  of  five  minutes,  flulhed  in  his  countenance,  gay,  talkative,  animated  throughout,  and  univer- 
ihlly  dianged  in  mind  and  body. 

This  puts  me  in  mind  of  the  account  which  travelers  have  given  of  the  Per/ians,  who,  like  other 
Eaflern  nations,  take  pills  of  folid  opium,  which  fome  of  them  gradually  increafe  to  a  dofe  that 
would  deflroy  half  a  dozen  Europeans.  Within  half  an  hour  after  taking  the  pill  it  begins  to  ope- 
raie,  and  a  thoufand  vagaries  delight  their  imagination ;  tbey  laugh,  fing,  and  talk  extr^vsi^andy, 
like  men  in  a  deUrium,  or  moMticJmtlx  wine;  but,  after  the  effed  is  gone  off^  they  find  their fpi- 
rits  exhaullcd,  and  grow  j^nfivc  and  melancholy,  till  they  repeat  the  dofe  again:  by  this  means, 
fonie  make  it  fo  ncceflary  to  them,  that  they  cannot  Hre  without  it. 

I  have  known  a  whole  compar.y  of  men  in  Jamaica,  at  table,  pledge  one  another  iq-  thi»  liquor.. 
The  women,  iiv  general,  are  more  moderate  in  ihc  quantity  they  take  at  once;  buf>  although  they 
fip  it  drop  by  drop,  it  is  repeated  fo  frequently,  that  the  whole  they  take  in  a  twelvemonth  is  pretty 
iiear  as  much,  as  what  others  drink,  who  recur  to  it  feldom,  but  ift  larger  dofts  -ac  a  timt;  and  ka 
eifecla,  IB  both  cafes,  are  equally  fatal.  Some  tadiei  are.  never  wkltout  a  bottle  of  it  in  their  ix>cket^ 
with  fbme  lumps  of  fugarj  and  fwallow  it  with  great  privacy^  and  by  ftealth,  twice  or  thrice  every 
diiy,  intreafing  the  dofe  fo  high,  as  to  eighty  or  one  hundred  drops.  They  pretend  it  is  theii 
*«  cnram/K  dulce  Uvamn^  and  abfolutcly  reqttiftte  for  their  comibrt  and  happioefs.. 

**  Their  only  teboor  is  to  kil)  the  tioi^ 

**  And  labour  dire  it  is,  and  weary  woe. 

"  They  fit,  they  loll,  turn  o'er  fome  idle  rhymer 

"  Then  rifing  fuddea  to  the  dram  they  go, 

**  Or  faunter  forth  with  tottering  fleps,  and  flow;. 

*'  This  foon  too  rude  an  exercife  they  find ; 

*'  Strait  on  the  couch  their  limbs  again  they  throw,. 

•<  Where  hours  on  hours  they,  fighingjy  feclinM, 

*'  Embrace  the  vapoury  god,  foft-breathing  ia  the  wiudJ*" 

THOnrsoK.^ 
The  Turks,  and  other  difciples  of  Mahomet,  betook  themfdves  to  this  mode  of  inebriation,  be- 
caufe  their  religion  forbad  the  ufe  of  wine.    The  Aiiatic  Indians  are  fiiid  to  indulge  in  it,  notfo 
jiiuch  to  make  them  deep,  as  from  a.  notion,  that  it  is  a  great  provocative^  and  qualifies  them  the 
better  for  ilbiJinous  excrcifcs* 

Somfhne& 


BOOK  Ilf.    CHAP.  VL  547 

rcfolve  to  conquer  it,  is  the  higheft  teft  oi  a  good  mind,  true  courage, 
and  found  underfianding;  in  other  things,  men  will  pericvere  through 
every  difficulty,  and  fuccced  in  defiance  of  c\^ry  obfiacle;  nothing 
more  is  required^  than  the  like  fpirit  of  perfeverance  and  fortitude,  to 
furmount  the  greateil  ills  of  life,  and  trample  upon  thofe  diftoeiToSi 
which  ceafe  to  be  burthenfome,  when  we  have  learned  to  bear  thfim ; 
but  ever  redouble  thdr  preiHire  upon  us,  when  wie  bear  them  vH.th  im* 
patience  and  timidity*         .  , 

SottKhnefs  then  and  lud  being  tlie  chief  foiindem  df  its  ufe  among  tliele  £afleni  -pecqilef  wbrt 
opinion  are  we  to  form  of  thofe  ladies  in  our  Wedern  hemlfphere»  who  are  bewitched  to  the  £uiie 
deteftable  cuflom  ?  If  drunken nefs  Is  fo  difgraceful  to  the  fair  fex  in  particular,  they  furely  ought 
to  refled,  that  it  makes  not  the  leall  difference,  in  point  of  difhonour,  whether  they  fbddle  them- 
felyes  with  laudanum,  ^r  with  brandy;  neverthelefsi  tibere  are  too  many  Among  them,  whoy  if  a 
dram  was  to  be  oSered  them  in  public  company,  would  conifder  it  a  high  affront  put  upon  them» 
and  yet  take  the  firfi  convenient  opportunity  to  beaflialize  themfelves  with  their  favourite  liquor, 
till  they  are  deprived  of  their  reafon,  and  driven  into  the  moft  incoherent  ravings  in  their  convcr* 
fation,  and  the  wildeft  extravagancies  in  their  cendud;  thus  iaorificii^  ienie,  beauty^  beahfa,  .fiunc^ 
and  even  virtue,  to  this  pernicious  habit.  All  phylicians  agree,  chat  it  is  exceedingly  hurtful  to 
thofe  of  weak  and  delicate  habits,  and  brings  on  prematurely  the  infirmities  of  old  age;  for,  among 
the  Eaflern  nations,  it  has  been  obferved,  that  fcarcely  any,  who  begin  this  practice  ivhile  th^  are 
young,  live  to  be  above  fifty.  It  produces  paralytic  diforders,  and  palfies ;  hinders  digeftion,  and 
palfs  the  appetite.  It  likewife  is  charged  with  ouifing  a  relaxation  of  the  lower  jaw,  and  a  ilam* 
meringfpeech;  m  regard  to  the  latter  bad  effed,  I  am  morally  fure,  we  may  afcribe  the  drawling, 
faltering  pronunciation  of  many  woitien  and  men  in  this  ifland,  to  their  excefiive  ufe  of  laudanum. 
In  fome  cafes,  and  in  the  hands  of  a  diicreet  phyfician,  it  is  a  noble  remedy,  and  particulariy  in 
the  diflemper  called  the  locked  jaW|  fo  frequent  in  the  Wefl  Indies;  and  not  foldom,  as  a  palliative 
in  the  colic,  and  belly-ache:  but  thofe perfous,  who  malce  it  a  part  of  their  daily  diet,  receive  all  the 
injury  it  is  capal^e  of  produdng;  and  preclude  themfelves  from  all  hopes  of  relief  iirdm  it»  in  thofe 
maladies,  whecB  it  might  otherwife  have  proved  their  certain  friend. 

The  firm  hold  which  fo  horrid  a  falhion  has  taken  in  this  ifland  is  really  unaccountable,  unlefs 
we  fuppofe  that  the  force  of  example,  and  the  alluring  perfuafion  of  inveterate  ftmale  tipplen, 
have  combined  with  the  ddudiog  charms  of  this  CtrciOM  diaught : 

**  Offering  to  every  wcaiy  Kfifitor 

**  Their  mtgic  liquor  in  a  cryftal  glafs, 

**  To  quench  the  drought  of  Phoebus ;  which  as  they  taite, 

**  (For  moft  do  tafle  through  fend,  akdcurUus  thiri^) 

**  Soon  as  the  potion  works»  their  humi^i  count'naucet 

**  Th*  exprefs  refemblance  of  the  gods,  is  changed 

*'  Into  fome  brutifh  form  of  wolf,  or  bear, 

<<  Or  ounce,  or  tiger,  hog,  or  bearded  goat, 

*^  All  other  parts  remainii^  as  they  were; 

**  And  they,  fo  perfedl  in  their  mifery, 

*«.  Not  once  perceive  their  foul  disfigureraent, 

'^'Botboaft  th«»ild«fcsiadre£oitiefy.thai&ihcfo8v  . 

^  And  all  thair  friends,  and  native  hoti^e  forgeti 

"  To  roll  with  pleafure  in  a  fenfiial  ftye.** 

4  A3  SEC   T. 


548  J    A    M    A    I    C    Ai 

S  E  C  T.    IV- 

Of  Sugar,   confidered  Medicinally. 

•  There  is  no  better  prefervative,  perhaps,  agalnft  thofc  difeafe  which 
owe  their  rife  to  a  putrefcency  of  the  humours,  than  the  juice  of  the 
fugar-cane,  and  its  various  preparations.  The  effeds  they  produce  ou 
debilitated  Negroes,  and  on  brute  aninuds,  whom  they  reflore  to  health 
and  vigour,  rendering  the  moft  emaciated  plump  and  lively,  are  ex- 
tremely remarkable.  There  cannot  be  a  Wronger  recommendation  of 
any  fubftance  proper  for  aliment,  than  to  fay,  that  it  is  eagerly  devour- 
ed by  all  animals,  and  ofTenfive  to  none ;  more  efpecially ,  as  they,  who 
are  governed  by  unerring  inftind,  are  never  known  to  delight  in  any 
fpecies  of  food,  which  is  inimical  to  their  health :  but  human  reafon 
and  experience  correfpond  with  this  inftind,  in  recommendation  of 
thefe  mild,  nutritious,  and  falutary  effects. 

It  has  been  obferved,  that,  fince  fugar  and^acefcent  fubftances  have 
come, into  vogue,  all  putrid  difeafes,  the  fcurvy  no  lefs  than  putrid  ma- 
lignant fevers,  the  dyfentery,  and  even  the  plague  itfelf,  are  much 
abated.  The  ableft  writers  on  thefe  difeafes  mention  fugar  or  me- 
lafles  as  neceflary  ingredients  in  the  diet  of  patients  afflided  with  them  ; 
and  that  their  virtue  confifts  in  the  efficacy  with  which  they  reiift,.  and 
counteraft,  all  putrid  humours..  The  Spaniards  in  the  Weft  Indies, 
feniible  <^  this  ef&£t  by  long  experience,,  ufe  it  univerfally  ;.  it  forms  a 
p3rt  of  all  their  collationsj,  and  they  never  drink  even  a  gla&  of  wacec 
yi^ithout  previoufly  ealing  fome  conferve,  or  Ixyeetmeat.  In  the  putrid 
yellow  fever^  Doftor  M''  Bride  recommends  very  flrenuoufly  the  Juice 
of  the  Jiigar-cane  before  it  is  thoroughly  ripe,  diluted  and  acidulated 
with  the  frefh  juice  of  limes  or  Seville  oranges.  Let  our  men.  (fays  he) 
in  the  navy  be  as  well  cloatbed  as  in  the  army,  and  let  them  be  al- 
k)wed,  whiJft  at  fea,  a  daily  portion  oi  fugar i  and,  I  will  venture  to 
promiiib  that^  in  a  time  of  war,  we  ihall  annually  fave  fqme  thoufands 
•f  very  ufeful  lives. 

To  the  ufe  of  this,  and  frcfh  vegetables,  which  now  make  up  fo 
great  a  part  of  the  diet  of  the  European  nations,  it  ijs  to  be  afcribed,. 
that  we  at  this  day  fa  feldom  hear  of  the  dreadful  putrjid.difeafes  which 
formerly  fwept  olFfuch  multitudes,  every  thirty  or  forty  years>  under 
the- najflK  of  plagues.. 

:  .i  The: 


B  O  6  K  III.    CHAP.  VI,  549^ 

The  diet  moft  fit  to  prefcrve  health  in  hot  climates  muft  confift  (for 
the  greater  part)  of  vegetables,  and  of  thofe  fubftafices,  which  produce 
the  greateft  quantities  of  air,  in  order  to  afford  a  fuiiicient  quantity  of. 
antifeptic  vapour,  to  make  up  for  the  extraordinary  wafie  of  air,  which 
is  carried  off  from  the  fluids  by  inieniible  perfpiration ;  and  thofe  per- 
fons  muft  inevitably  fall  into  putrid  difeafes,  who  eat  much  animal 
food,  which  produces  but  little  air ;  who  drink  much  of  fpirituous  li- 
quors, which  contain  no  air  in  themfelves  fcarcely,  and  prevent  the 
ready  extrication  thereof  from  the  aliment,  during  the  digeftive  pro- 
cefs ;  and  who  incautioufl-y  expofe  themfelves  to  a  moift  atmofphere^ 
which  hinders  any  thing  but  the  aerial  part  of  the  perfpirable  matter 
from  being  carried  off. 

The  great  eflicacy  of  vegetables  confifts  partly  in  their  containing  a 
large  quantity  of  this  fixed  antifeptic  air  or  vapour,  and  their  impreg- 
nation with  a  very  fweet  juice^  or  mixture  of  faccharine  oil  and  falt^ 
which  do6lor  Tiflbt  obferves  is  highly  lalutary.  All  the  culinary 
roots,  even  in  Europe,  are  full  of  this  kind  of  fugar,  which  may  eafily 
be  extraded  from  them.  Experiments  to  this  effeft  have  been  tried  on* 
feveral;  and,  in  particular,  eight  omices  ef  the  juice  of  fkirret  yielded 
one  ounce  and  an  half  of  fugar  [u].  This  faccharine  juice  predominates^ 
in  moft  of  the  fruits  and  efculent  roots  in  Jamaica  in  st  very  fiirprifing 
degree,  as  if  the  Divine  Being  bad  meairt  peculiarly  to  adapt  them  as, 
neceflary  correftives  of  thofe  putrefcent  humours,  which  a  diet  on  ani- 
mal food  is  apt  to  generate  in  this  climate.  Thus  we  find^  that  the- 
lri(h  potatoe,  when  trairfplanted  into  this  foil,  acquires  a  (weetifli  tafte^ 
whi.fa  fbews  its  impregnation  vfcith  facdiarine  prmciples;  the  fweet  po- 
tatoe, the  native  of  this  climate,  is  largely  fupplied  with  the  like  inv- 
pregnation ;  fo  are  the  yams,  eddds,  eocos,  moft  of  the  different  forts 
of  pulfe,  and  almoft  all  tiie  fruits.*  The  plantain*,  when  ripe,  and  dried; 
in  the  fun,  is  a  perfed  confer ve,  without  the  aid  of  any  more  fugar,, 
than  what  is  naturally  contained  in  it;,  the  banana  is  ftill  more  luf* 
eious,  but  with  a  il^bt  aiftringtnl:  quality,,  which  has  made  it  extreme-* 
ly  remedial  in  fluxes;  cprrediing  the  putrid  humour  by  its  antifeptic 
virtues,  (heathing  the  acrimony  with  its  ballamic  oil,  renderiog^.  the 
bowels  gently  foluble,  )ahd;  yetiiftreikgtheidng  .their  toner  b>y .  its  mild 
aftringency *;    The  China  oranges  heie,.  w^ea  full  ripe>..  an4  in  a  :goo4 

W  MargraflTs  Mem., 

ibilji 


5S0  JAMAICA, 

foil,  are  frequently  iiicrufted  over  with  a  palpable  lutegumeut  of  white 
fugar,  concreted  on  thdr  riad,  and  hardened  by  the  fun.  How  bene- 
volent and  gracious  is  thi«  ample  provifion  of  fo  wbolefome  and  he- 
ceffary  a  fubftancc,  which  is  fo  copioufly  lodged  in  the  ioil,  to  he  im- 
bibed, prepared,  refined,  a»d  duly  adapted,  by  all  thefc  vegetable  pro- 
dubious,  for  the  ufetf^fteritation,  and  health,  of  the  inhabitants!  The 
fugar  prepared  frcsm  the  c«ie  contains  thefe  virtues  in  ahftraft,  whicli 
ate  found  l?fs  copioijifly  diftribute<l  to  the  culinary  roots,  and  efculent 
fruits;  it  therefore  prefcnts  itfelf  as  a  portable  remedy,  ^iways  at  hand, 
to  fupply  the  occafions  of  thofe  pqrfons  who  are  not  able  to  procure 
other  vegetable  produftions,  endowed  with  the  like  properties;  or  to 
be  mixed  with  thofe  aliments,  which  contain  too  little,  or  none  at  all, 
of  them;  it  feems  therefore  peculiarly  <)f  ufe,  as  a  necefliry  part  of  fea- 
ftore^  for  the  ready  (ervice  of  thofe*  who  are  too  diftatit  from  the  land 
to  come  at  frefli  vegetables,  and  the  nattire  of  whafe  flefli  diet  requires 
fuch  a  condant  corrector.  The  warrant  aiKl  petty  officers  on  board  a 
fleet  are  fcarcely  ever  feized  with  acute  putrid  difeafes,  excepting  by 
meer  infedion  ;  and  they  are  very  fddam  known  to  becoiDe  fcorbutic 
in  any  violent  degree,  unleis  the- general  caufe  (exceiSve  moifture)  be 
of  a  remarkably  long  continuance;  The  diet  of  this  clafs  of  men  is,  in 
general,  the  fame  with  the  reft  of  the  crew,  but  they  are  well  clad  for 
the  moft  part,  and  never  want  a  little  ftcre  of/ugar. 

The  expence  of  allowing  fugar,  or  melgiies,  as  a  part  of  ka  pro^ 
vifions,  even  taking  it  at  the  higheft,  is  top  trifling,  when  put* in 
qompetition  with  preferving  fo  valuable  a  part  of  the  community  as 
our  feamen,  at  leaft,  for  all  thait  they  might  have  occaiion  for,  when 
at  iea. 

The  efficacy  of  this  medicine,  in  preferving  the  health  of  fea- 
iSkien,  is  far  from  being  a  recent  difcovery  ;  fo. early  as  the  reign  of 
Charles  the  Firil  fugar  had  been  fduiid  eminently  ufefiil  in  fcorbutic 
eafos,  as  appears  by  fFbodaWs  Treatife,  re-publiihed  in  1639.  But 
Great  Britain  had  at  that  time  no  colonies  toinpply  her  widi  a  jRiffi- 
cient  x^uantity  of  it  $  and  it  is  worthy  remark,  that  the  plague  almofl: 
oninterruptediy  raged  in  London  till  towards  the  Revolution,  when 
cotfflde!rab}«  remifttanccB  of  Ibgar ^  be^n  to  arrive  from  Barbadoes,  Ne- 
vis, JanMica,  an4  others  iflands,  belonging  to.  Britain.    This  aflSuence 

rendered 


BOOK   la     CHAP.    VL  s5^ 

rendered'  it  mufk  [w]  cheaper  than  erer  it  bad  been  heSbct ;  confer 
quently  the  uie  and  confumption  became  hr  more  extenfive,  particui- 
larly  in  London,  than  in  preceding  times ;  and  the  vtiitations  of  the 
plague  gradually  became  kfs.  frequent,  till  at  lei^h  they  ceaied  io^ 
tirely.  Tho£b  medical  writers,  who  have  entertained  very  fanguine. 
expectations  from  new  wort  m  the  cure  of  tlie  fcurvy,  leem  never* 
thelefs  to  be  of  opinion,  that  fugar  is  equally  efficadmu ;  the  fame 
reafons  which  lead  to  exped  fuccefs  from  the  one^  holding  good,  in 
moil  effential  circumftances,  in  regard  to  the  other ;  and  their  opinion 
is  founded  on  this  dofirine,  that  fuch  vegetable  fermentable  fubllances 
are  diiibovered,  by  experiment,  to  have  the  power  of  preierving  animal 
fluids,  from  corruption,  and  of  even  reftoring  them  after  having  un- 
dergone fome  degree  of  putrcfadion.     . 

The  hot  liquor  taken  from  the  iache^  or  lad  copper,  in  the  Weft 
India  boiling  houfes,  during  crop,  and  mixed  to  a  fuificient  dilution 
with  vv'ater,  makes  a  moft  agreeable  drink,  hairing:  fome  what  of  the 
tafte  of  new  wort,  but  more  pka&nt ;  c£  this  both J^the  Negroes 
and  Whites  in  general  are  extremely  fond*  and  it  qi^bt  to  be  the 
principal  dri}ik  of  Europeans  newly  arrived.  From  this  caufe  it 
happens,  that  the  imported  Negroes,  purcbaied  diiring  the  crop,  are 
more  likely  to  do  well  than  tbofe  who  are  introdwed  at  other  times 
of  the  year  ^  for  they  are,  fred/  indulged  with  a  daily  allowance  of 
tliis  liquor,r  and  it  is  found  fO  rei:ovef  the .  languid  and  diftemperedf 
and  make  them  grow  fat,  fleek,  and  vigoious.  Kn  m  opcsration  it  is 
cooling,  gently  moves  the  body,  and  throws  any  latent  acfinjooy  dr 
putrid  humour,  which  may  be  lurking  in.th^  blood  and  juicesi  upoi^ 
the  furface  of  the  ikin,  as  many  l^uropeahs  experience  on  drinking  it ; 
but,  on  perceiving  boils,  ^r  cuk^teoi^  eruptioM,  about  the  lips,  oi^ 
other  parts  of  the  body,  to  follow  the  ufe  of  this  beveragje,  they  ig-^ 
norantly  fancy,  that  thefe  falutai:y  fymptoms  are  a  tt»\  diforder,  cauM 
by  fome  noxious  quality  in  the  liqupr  ;  ^nd  £imle  have  difeontinued  it 

[w]  When  the  Portugucfe  fupplied  England  with  fugar,  the  price  of  this  commodity  wa» 
from  7  /.  to  8  /.  fterting  fer  cwt.  a  nioft  exorbkaat  rate  m  thofe  d^s.  As  the  En^tih  planta- 
bons  iocreafed,  they  reduced  the  price  to  3  /•  aiid  2L  ioj*;  and,  imoe  that  period,  to  2  /,  and 
s/.  10/.  fercwt.  But  the  merchants  were  obliged  to  biiag  it  dowiiM  k«r  aseveatofevenor 
eight  fltUlingSy  before  they  conki  focce  the  Fortugptefe  out  of  the  mar^etw 

7  iu 


552  ..JAMAICA. 

^or  tbb  reafon,  at  the  vcrj  time^  when  it  has  been  doing  Tuch  efientld 
•fcrvicc,  by  driving  out  fuch  foul  and  corrupt  humours,  which,  when 
.^retained  in  the  habit,  produce  fevers,  and  other  dangerous  maladies. 
Nor  are  its  good  cffeds  confined  to  the  human  race.  It  is  the  com* 
mon  pradice,  on  the  phntatiohs  in  Jamaica,  to  feed  the  working  horfes 
-and  mules  in  crop^time  with  chopped  cane-tops,  and  the  fkinimings  of 
the  boiling^houfe  liquor,  which  anfwer  better  than  corn,  in  preferving 
them  plump,  drong,  and  healthy.  Hogs,  poultry,  and,  in  (hort,  all 
the  animals  belonging  to  a  plantation,  thrive  on  this  juice*  Even  the 
dogs  in  this  ifland,  although  qualified  by  nature  not  only  to  relifh, 
but  to  digeft,  putrid  food,  are  not  lefs  fond  of  fugan  I  have  known 
a  well-'fcd  animal  of  this  fpecies,  who  was  commonly  dieted  from  a 
plentiful  table,  and  never  tafled  carrion  by  way  of  Sen  boucbe  without 
buffering  feverely  for  it ;  on  thefe  occafions  he  iifed  a  quantity  of  what 
is  called  here  dog-grafs^  fuificient  either  to  make  him  difgorge,  or 
con^fe,  his  ftomach,  probably,  by  the  fixed  air  contained  in  that 
plant ;  at  other  times  he  would  greedily  devour  the  av<^ato  pear, 
clammy  cherry,  ripe  plantains,  yams,  bananas,  tic. ;  but,  when  in- 
troduced to  the  boiling-houfe,  he  never  failed  to  regale  himielf  with- 
out intermtffion ;  and,  from  being  in  a  ftate  of  miferable  leannefs,  was 
fure  to  become  plump,  and  full  of  life  and  agility. 

I  have  feen  the  good  effefls  ofit  on  Negroes  aifflided  with  the 
yaws,  even  after  the  difbrder  (by  catching  colds  after  a  mercurial 
regimen)  had  fallen  upon  their  joints  ;  it  threw  the  venom  out  on 
the  iurface  in  a  plentiful  eruption,  and  thus  brought  ona  crifis,  which 
no  other  known  remedy  could  have  produced  fb  defireably. 

In  worm  difbrders  there  is  not  a  more  powerful  remedy  than  the 
juice  of  ripe  canes, -to  e&pelthefe  vermin  \x\  The  Negroe  children 
(as  if  prompted  by  inftind)  fuck  them  with  the  utmdfb  avidity,  and 
are  always  relieved. '  When  powders  and  other  vermifuge  medicines 
are  adminiilered,  melaifes  or  fyrup  ufually  forms  a  part  of  the  com- 
pofition,  and  perhaps  contributes  more  than  is  generally  imagined  to 

\x\  Dodor  Grrainger  obferves^  that  Aigar  is  commonly  fuppofed  to  favour  worms ;  that,  how- 
ever*  he  knows  xhls,  6*0111  repeattd  expcnmenl,  to  be  a  nmlgar  error.  That  perhaps  no  one  thing 
in  the  materia  enedica  is  mote  deadly  to  wonns'  than  eane^UquoTj  anlefs  we  except  rmfc<n)ado^  muted 
with  an  equal  quantity  of  fweet  oil^efpeciaUy  what  is  madeby  expreffion  fbm  the  cocoa  nut. 

their 


^  Q  O  K    IIL    CHAP.    VL  ^ jj 

their  fuccefa.  I  Have  known  many  old  white  perfons  in  lhi$  tflandt 
cKtremely  fend  of  the  refined  fugar,  eating  it  frequently  in  a  tnorn-* 
tng,  dnd  with  a  fingular  gout^  from  a  firm  afiurance  (eftabliflied  by 
long  experience)  of  Its  mild,  halfaniic>  and  &lubrious,  operation. 

Some  (fays  Brookes)  are  great  enemies  to  fugir,  and  iaffirm,  that 
it  produces  I  know  not  what  bad  tSt&s ;  hnt»  as  thofo  who  have  ufed 
it  very  freely  have  never  received  any  detriment  from  it,  we  suiy 
conclude,  that  it  is  intirely  harmld&.  It  does  not  produce  confmnp^ 
tions,  as  fome  pretend,  hecaufe  an  apothecary,  who  had  th^  diftem** 
per,  alnioft  lived  upon  fugar  of  roles^  and  vai  cured  by  it.  Some 
have  affirmed,  that  it  prodnces  the  {curvy,  and  was  the  origlnai  cm& 
of  it ;  whereas  it  is  weQ  known,  that  the  fcurvy  appeared  long  before 
fugar  was  in  nie :  befides,  the  pooreft  people,  who  eat  much  leis  fugaif 
than  the  rich,  are  mofi  affiided  with  dse  fcuryy.  This  is  likewife  true 
of  common  failors,  who  eat  more  fait  provtfions,  and  Ie&  fiigar,  than 
their  officers.  Some  afiert,  that  it  turns  four  upon  the  ftomach,  but 
give  us  no  argument  to  prove  it.  An  add  may  indeed  be  extrafted 
from  fugar,  and  io  there  may  from  all  forts  of  com,  as  well  as  wine  ; 
but  then  it  muft  be  performed  by  art,  and  turned  into  an  ardent  fpirit 
iirft,  by  fermentation.  Befides,  fugar  is  a  xutural  foap,  and  will 
readily  mix  with  any  fort  of  liquor  $  and  therefore  it  is  not  probable 
that  it  ihould  turn  four  on  the  ftomach  [y].  The  officinal  compofir 
tiokis  of  fugar  are  allowed  on  all  hands  to  be  good  in  disorders  of 
the  Inreafi ;  and,  iiiixed  with  oil  of  fweet  almonds,  it  is  good  in 
coughs,  hoarienefles,  and  the  like.  Externally  applied,  it  is  a  very 
great  vulnerary,  efpecially  when  mixed  with  a  little  brandy,  who£b 
ftyptic  quatity^f  joined  to  the  balfitmic  vurtues  of  the  fugar,  makes  a 
compaction,  which  will  heal  wounds,  clednfe  ulcers,  and  prevent  pu^ 
trefa&im.  DoAor  James  concurs  In  the  lame  opinion*  When  duly 
tifed  (fays  hie)  it  is  not  fi>   o&hfiive  to  the  blood  as  is  vulgarly 

{^]  I  am  upc  to  Mj^cRj  tha^  tbe  oclier  XMfftX^ooHh  ^uch  at  nddd  butter,  and  otber  gre^ie^  wm 
fermented  flgur,  and  crude  fruity  Csfr.  with  whidi  Aig/Mr  is  geoeraUy  €0inbinedt>7  paftry-cooks'ai^ 
confeftioners,  may  occafioa  fuch  e&6h,  and  deier?€  the  whole  Uiuney  which  has  been  wtongftill/ 
afct^bed  to  the  fogar  akm^  from  Ignorance  of  ks  priocipitt.  Has  jwobabljr  ia  the  only  whole* 
iBfSOA  ii^grrdieat  beWiiging  to  fuch  cotnppft^Pus*  a|i4  ^Mty  JP^^Y^nt  nittcl)  of  the  bad  €ofi&quenct# 
they  would  otherwife  jpoduce,  eTpecially  ia  ^  weak  ^opmachf  and  boirdf  of  cbildiei^  who  aro 
the  principal  fufferers. 

Vol.  \l.  4  B  thougkt^ 


*' 


554  JAMAICA. 

thought  '  It  is  daily  taken  to  a  degree  of  excefs  by  fbmei  who,  in- 
ftead  of  being  injured  by  it,  live  in  a  found  and  perfeft  fbite  of  health. 
It  is  a  mild  and  fweet  fait,  which  is  far  from  being  imfriendly  to  the 
mixture  of  the  fluids^  becaufe  it  correSs  acidy  bilious  humours^  and  ren* 
ders  the  body  foluble* 

Every  teftimony,  in  fhorty  agrees  in  pronouncing  it  to  be  one  of 
the  beft  adapted  prefervatives  of  health  in  cold  as  well  as  hot  climates, 
from  its  nutritious,  healing,  and  ^itifeptic  qualities*  Thofe  who  re* 
jeft  punch,  from  an  opinion  that  lime  or  lemon-juice  is  of&nfive  to  their 
bowels,  which  often  is  the^cafe  in  gouty  habits,  would  do  well  to  mix 
fiigar  and  fynip  with  their  rum  and  water ;  at  the  fame  time  being 
very  moderate  in  the  ufe  of  that  fpirit ;  they  may  be  afliired,  that 
filch  a  beverage  will  be  far  wholefomer  for  them  than  the  liquor  called 
grogt  which  is  a  mixture  of  rum  and  water  only  ;.  £3r,  although  rum 
is  far  preferable  to  any  other  fimple  diftilled  ipirit,  yet  it  may  be  ad- 
vifeable  in  the  Weft  indies,  to  mix  it  with  fome  fermentative  ingredi^^ 
ent ;  and  none  is  more  proper  than  fugar  or  melafles* 

For  the  iame  reafons  en  which  riie  caufe  of  the  plagues  decreaie  im 
many  parts  of  Europe  has  been  fuppofed,  it  ntoy  be  jiiftly  concluded; 
that  putrid  and  malignant  fevers  neilher  originate  fo  frequent! jl',  nor 
(when  brought  by  infedion)  ravage  fo  extenfively  in  tht  Wpft  Indies 
now  as  foirmerljr  they:  did*  A  proof  of  thisdc^lenfionri^  Hot  onJy/tbe 
comparative  faealthinefe  of  Jamaica,  formerly  deemed  a  fickly.  ifland; 
but  the.  greatei;  health  o£  the feamen  employ ed.iiv this  tiade,  w.bd  ftiU 
drink  as^  bar4  and  expofe  them felves  to.alL  extremwi^s  ofi  thi  clir 
mate  as  muchi,  ^s  they  did  one  hundl^ed  years  ago..  Yet  themer* 
chant  (hips  fcldom  lofe  any  of  their  crew  by  thefe  diftcmpers,  and. 
mbft  of  them  lofe  none-.  Same  will  attribute  thi^i  to,thft,)inoi?e  ex? 
tenfive  cukivation  of  the  country,,  the  cutting  down  its*  thi^  woods 
in  feverabpaiJts,*  and. melioration  of  its ratmofphere;.  hut:  there  is  fur 
peradded  to  all  this  the  much  greater  quantity  of  fugar  manufafturcd 
"throughout  the  ill&hd;  and  tbe-grcater  facility  which  the  feamen  have 
./oundiu,  getting. at  fupplies  of  it  for  their  private  ufe,  wHilft  they  wait 
in  port  the  loading. of ( thQir.ihip,  as  w^Uas  during  tlije  voyage. home ; 
for,  whtfn.theycannef*  procure  it-^prijr/Vv.^hey' either  buy  of  the  Ne* 
grdes  for  a  little  tobacco,  or  oflier  trifling  confideration,  or  get  It  bj: 
tiieft.     There,  is  now  near  fixty  times  as  much  fug^ar  made  in  the 

*  '         iflan4. 


BOOK  III.    CHAP.   VI.  ss^ 

afland,  as  there  was  an  hundred  years  ago ;  and  a  large  quCantity  fells 
to  the  (hare  of  the  Negroes,  not  only  in  what  is  given  to  them,  but 
.what  they  fteal,  which  it  is  impoffible  to  prevent,  as  they  are  the 
condu6tors  of  it  to  the  (hipping-place,  as  well  as  manufefturers.  The 
fuperfluity,  or  what  they  do  not  referve  for  their  own  ufe,  is  chiefly 
difpofed  of  to  the  Tailors,  and  poorer  Jews ;  the  failors  likewife,  who 
come  afliore  to  the  wharfs,  find  many  opportunities  to  fill  their  hats 
or  pockets  from  the  packages  that  lie  there.  Befides  this,  they  are 
generally  allowed  fugar  on  their  voyage  home,  to  mix  with  their 
tipple;  and,  when  it  is  denied  them,  they  make  no  ceremony  in  pur- 
loining it ;  and,  [by  this  means,  eftablifh  a  pretty  regular  article  in  the 
Britifh  fa<^or's  account  with  the  planter,  which  goes  under  the  name 
oi  plunderage.  From  this  caufe  we  do  not  hear  of  the  crews  of  Weft 
India  men  fwept  off,  or  indeed  hardly  af9i£ted  at  all  with  the  fcurvy, 
or  thofe  malignant  difeafes,  which  fo  commonly  depopulate  the  Eaft 
India  fliips  in  their  pafiage  homewards ;  although  fome  of  the  former, 
in  wet  and  Icvere  winter  voyages  to  England,  are  often,  by  contrary 
winds  and  bad  weather,  detained  at  fea  for  a  fpace  of  eleven  or  twelve 
weeks,  and  without  any  difference  to  their  crews  in  point  of  diet  from 
thofe  employed  in  other  trades,  except  that  they  have  the  ufe  of  fugar 
and  melafles ;  and  rum,  inftead  of  brandy. 

Thefe  fe£b  ieem  to  be  confirmed  by  the  confent  of  the  ableft  of  the 
feculty,  who  acknowledge  this  change;  to  have  been  afiually  wrought ; 
and  fome  among  them  have  thrown  further  light  on  the  caufe  of  it,  by 
infilling,  that  the  vtryfame  pre/ervatives,  in  IVeJl  India  voyages,,  an - 
fwcr  as  well  againft  malignant^  remittent ^  an4  intermittent^  fever Sy  as 
againft  the  yn/ny.  Grounding  our  judgement  therefore  on  the  con- 
current evidence  of  obfervation,  and  the  opinions  of  fo  many  learned 
and  intelligent  phyficians,  who  have  adopted  their  fentiments,  upon 
certain  experience,  and  mofl:  accurate  enquiry,  we  are  well  fupported 
in  recommending  the  plentiful  ufe  of  the  cane-liquor,  and  its  prepa- 
rations, to  all  thofe  who  pafs  from  Europe  to  refide  in  Jamaica ;  and 
may  venture  to  affert,  that  it  is  perfeftly  inoffenfive  in  its  princi^  les, 
and  Angularly  conducive  to  health  in  its  effects  on  the  human  body  in 
that  climate.  The  Spaniards  in  our  neighbourhood  are  very  liberal 
in  their  ufe  of  fugar  and  honey  ;  their  fweetmeats  they  eat  chiefly  with 
wheat  bread,  which  they  referve  for  thefe  and  chocolate  only.     The 

4  B  2  honey 


556  JAMAICA. 

honey  they  fpread  on  caflava  cakes ;  the  affinity  between  thefe  twd 
fweet  fabftances  need  not  be  iniifted  on. 

That  malignant  and  terrible  difeafe,  called  the  black  vomit ^  was  \m^ 
Icnown  at  Garthagena  (as  it  is  faid)  till  about  the  year  1729.     It  wa^ 
fufpeded  to  have  been  firft  brought  thither  from  Porto  Bello.  It  made  its 
appearance  in  that  year  on  board  the  guarda  coftas  and  galleons  lying 
in  the  hatbour,  and  deftroyed  almoft  the  whole  of  their  erews.    The 
Spanifli  phyficians  attributed  it  to  the  fait  meat  on  whichi  the  fcamen 
were  fed,  as  it  was  obferved  to  rage  more  among  them,  than  thofc 
who  had  been  able  to  live  on  more  wholefome  food ;  they  coniidered 
fait  meat  as  tending  to  bring  on  this  diftemper,  and  that  the  humours 
It  generated,  together  with  the  labour  and  hardflilps  of  duty,  indined 
the  blood  to  putrefaftion;  but  it  is  certain,  that  the  failors  alone  were 
not  its  only  vidims ;  for  even  paflengers,  who  had  not  tafted  any 
fait  meat  during  the  voyage,  felt  is  effefts ;  it  was  therefore,  with  morfc 
appearance  of  truth,  imputed  to  the  peftilential  air  ofPoito  BdIo« 
It  is  remarkable,  however,   that  the  natives  of  Cartbagena^  and  thofe 
who  had  lived  there  feme  time,  were  not,  nor  ever  are,  affeftedby  it; 
but   enjoy  an  uninterrupted  health,  amidft   the  dreadful  havock  it 
makes  among  others ;  it  feems  rational  to  luppofe,  that  this  diforder 
has  its  fourcce  at  firft  in  a  high  degree  of  the  fcutvy,  which,   fron> 
the  baleful  influence  of  the  fwampy  effuvia  at  Porto  BeHo,  degene- 
rate? into  a  putrid  fever  of  the  worft  fpecies.     This  Is  confcm^nt  to 
the  idea  of  our  Englifh  writers  on  the  fubjeft,  who  afFert,  that  fuch 
as  have  any  fcorbutic  fyrtiptoms  are  in  porpoVtion  more  fubjeft  to  the 
dyfenteryt  and  malignant  putrid  fevirs\  and  likewife    are  the  moft 
feverely  handled  by  thefe  diftempers.     A  proof  of  this  theory,  was 
the  memorable  deftrufllon  of  the  feamen  belonging  to  admiral  Hofier^s 
fquadron,^  at  the  Bajlimentosy  which  began  with  the  fcurvy,  and  was 
compleated  by  a  malignant  putrid  fever,  and  dyfentery,  contraSed 
from  the  fatal  air  of  that  place.     The  diet  of  the  native  Spaniards,  and 
others,  who  naturally  fall  into  their  cufloms  at  Carthagena,  prefervcs 
them  free  from  any  fcorbutic  acrimony,  or  difpofition  in  their  humours 
to  breed  or  admit  the  entrance  of  putrid  difeafes.     The  fame  good 
confequencc  would  probably  enfue  at  Kingjicn  in  jfamaica,  if  the 
iuliabitants  of  that   town  would  adopt  a  diet,  and  regimen  of  Irfe^ 
ihnilar  to  thofc  of  the  Spaniards  at  Carthagena.     For  although  this 

difeafe 


BOOK  III.    CHAP.  VI>  557 

^ffeafe  has  made  bat  Iktle  ravage^  nt  any  of  our  Jamaica  fea  port5»  al 
late  years,  in  comparifon  with  anterior  times,  which  is  to  fae  afcribed 
to  the  greater  abundance  of  vegetable  food^  fugar^  sad  fhnts,.  m  com* 
mon  life ;  it  ieems  likely^  that  the  inhabitants  would  be  equally  pcoof 
againil  its  attacks,  as  the  Spaniards  are  fbiiod  to  be«  if  they  would 
but  depart  a  little  more  from  a  too  plentiful  fleCh  diet,  and  firong  Th 
quors,  and  regale  more  frequently  osi  chocolate,  and  fugared  prepara* 
tions ;  ufe  none  but  rum  of  due  age,  with  the  fubacid  fruits^  not  green, 
but  thoroughly  ripened  ;  with  £ach  odier  inateriak,  in  their  ordinary 
refrefliments,  as,  by  the  confent  of  exiperience,  atid  niedical  pcccef:^s> 
appear  heft  calculated  to  retift  the  venom  of  tlw,  and  fuch  like  putrid 
diftempers.  That  Cartbagena  is  not  a  very  unhealthful  climate 
(though  in  a  low  fituatioo,  and  iofeenfely  hot),  is  manifefi  from  th6 
good  old  age  which  ievetal  of  its  inhabitants  attain,  many  of  whom 
enjoy  £3  confirmed  a  fiate  of  health,  as  to  reach  tbekr  Soth  year»  This, 
indeed,  is  not  an  extraordinary  thing  in  Jamaica,  which  is  much  cooler^ 
and  where  thene  are  now,  and  hav«  at  all  times  been,  fevetal  per£bn$ 
exceeding  that  period  ;  but,  iii  order  to  make  ibis  longevity  a  more  uiVh 
rerfal  bleiSng,  tho(e  means  and  habits  of  life  muft  be  pradtifed,  and 
reibJutely  attended  to,  which  are  found  to  be  the  moft  conducive 
and  favourable  to  the  end  {)ropo£ed,  I  £hall  nextconfider,  as  another 
ingredient  xa  the  common  diet  of  peribns  in  the  Weft  Indies,  the  ar« 
ticle  of 

RUM. 

S  E  C  T,      V. 

I  do  not  know  of  aay  author^  who  has  treated  this  fub^ex^  u\^  a 
4nanner  fo  icientiiic  and  elaborate,  as  the  ingenious  Mr.  Doffie ;  as  bit 
pofitions,  relative  to  the  analyfis  and  properties  of  this  fpirit,  have  not 
been  controverted,  and  appear  to  be  the  refult  of  experiments,  jouied 
to  an  eminent  degree  of  cliemical  knowledge,  I  (ball  readily  adopt, 
;^nd  endeavour  to  illudrate  their  truth,  by  other  obfervations.  From 
thefe,  a  judgement  may  be  formed,  why  rum  in  fome  circumilances 
is  to  be  coniidered  an  unwholefome  article  of  diet ;  why  under  others 
it  is  quite  the  reverie,  when  uied  in  moderation  ;  why  it  is  to  be  pre- 
ferrcd  to  other  fimple-diftilled  fpirits,  whether  it  be  drank  in  mode- 
ration or  to  an  excels  i  and  hence  will  appear  the  means  moli  certain, 

7  .    to 


> 


S5^  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

to  di&rm  it  of  noxious  qualities,  and  adapt  it  with  greateft  lafety  to 
common  ufe* 

I .  Ardent  fpiritSy  in  their  pure  ftatc  (/.  e.  not  dulcified  by  union  with 
Fome  correftive),  have  a  violent  aftringent  action  upon  the  folid  parts  of 
animals,  coagulate  the  fluids,  and  diminifli  the  power  of  the  nervous 
fyftcm. 

From  tbefe  caufes  they  produce  fuitable  efiedls : 

A  tabidnefs,  or  wafting  of  the  extremities, 

A  nervous  weaknefs,  or  tendency  to  palfy, 
.    Deftroy  the  appetite  and  fecretions. 

Render  the  liver  fchirrous,  and  occafion  dropi3es. 

On  difledling  the  bodies  of  perfbns,  who  have  died  of  exceflive  dram^ 
drinking,  the  whole  liver  has  been  found  converted  into  a  fchirrus  of 
peculiar  hardnefs,  fo  as  to  be  ahogether  incapable  of  its  office,  of  fe^ 
creting  the  bile ;  and  the  mefentery  fometimes  aftonUhingly  enlarged 
and  tumefied. 

§  To  this  may  alfo  be  added.  Doctor  Macbride's  pofition,  that  fuch 
fpirits  contain  little  or  no  air  ferfe ;  and  that  they  prevent  the  ready 
irxtrication  of  it  from  alimentary  fubaftnces  during  the  digeftive  pro- 
cefs.  From  all  which  caufes  it  is  evident,  that  perfons,  who  indulge 
in  fuch  drink,  generate  nothing  but  crudities  in  the  ftomach :  and  are 
fubjeft  to  dyfenteries,  wafting  of  the  flefli  for  want  of  nourifhment, 
all  forts  of  nervous  diforders  by  the  continual  irritation  -of  acrid  mat- 
ter, and  to  dangerous  fevers  j  from  the  want  of  that  aerial  principle, 
which  is  neceflary  to  ferment  and  prepare  the  aliment  for  conco£Vion. 
Rum  is  therefore  leaft  wholefome,  when  it  comes  neareft  to  fuch 
pure  ardent  (pirit  in  its  properties  5  and  hence,  new  or  frefli  diftilled 
rum,  which  is  in  this  predicament,  appears  to  be  in  its  moft  un  whole- 
fome ftate* 

2.  The  fubftances,  which,  by  uniting  with  pure  ardent  fpirit,  coun- 
teraft  its  noxious  qualities,  are,  volatile  oilsy  generated  either  in  the 
fermentation  or  diftillation  ;  zwdi  acids ^  either  fuch  as  were  natives  in 
the  particular  vegetable  matter  which  was  the  fubjeft  of  fermentation, 
or  fuch  as  are  generated  in  the  courfe  of  the  fermentation. 

3.  Thefe  corredive  fubftances  are,  in  part,  combined  with  the  Ipirit 
before  diftillation,  and  rife  united  with  it ;  and,  in  part,  uncombined 

with 


BOOK  IIL      CHAP.   VT.  559 

.With  it  before  the  diftillatlon^  but,  rifing  with  it  then/ unite  them- 
fclves  gradually  with  it  afterwards. 

4.  It  is  from  the  latter  union,  which  takes  place  after  the  di/lillation^ 
that  rum  is  fo  much  improved  by  time,  and  efpecially  in  a  calk.  W  here 
a  large  quantity  of  it  is  kept  together^  the  inteftine  motion  being 
greater,  and  at  greater  liberty  to  ad,  than  in  a  fmall  confined  fpace, 
the  particles  are  more  fpeedily  brought  within  the  fphereof  each  other's 
attraftion,  and  the  union  more  quickly  compleated*  Hence,  whea 
kept  in  bottles,  a  very  great  length  of  time  is  required  to  perfefl:  it  y 
but  when  kept  in  calks,  the  fpirit  becomes  gradually  milder,,  and  lofes 
that  violent  aftringency,  which  manifelled  itfclf  before  this  change, 
in  a  fiery  fenfation  in.  the  mouth  and  throat  of  thofe  who  have  drunk: 

it. 

§  I  have  tafied  rum-  in  Jamaica^  which  had  been  bottled  30  years, 
but  Hill  retained  this  pungent,  fiery  quality,,  and  a  moll  difagreeable. 
twang;  which  fhewed,  that  the  oil  was  not  thoroughly  united  with  the 
Iplrit.  But,  when  it  is  kept  in  a  calk  fix  or  eight,  to  twelve  months 
time,  b  generally  fulHcient  to  pcrfcd  it  i.  thofe  planters  who  keep 
their  fto{:k  rum  in  large  butts,  which  hold  three  or  four  hundred ;gaK. 
Ions,  find  this  union  perfeded  in  a  ftill  Ihorter  time;  and  the  rum 
fo  packed  is  of  a  far  fuperior  quality  to  what  is  flowed^  in  fmall 
calks., 

I  am. apt  to  fufpe£l,.  that  there  is  likewife,  in  all  frefli  diftilljsd  rum;,, 
a  certain  etherial  volatile  fpirit,  of  a  very  caufiic  and  pernicious  qua- 
lity, which  evaporates ,hy  keeping  for  fome  time  in  calks,  but  caitnc^ 
entirely  efcape  when  fuch  frelh  rum  is  put  into  bottles  well  flopped,, 
and  laid  on  their  fides.. 

It  Ihould  be  the  pra6tice,  on  all  the  plantations  in  this  ifl^ndj  to  lay 
up  one  or  more  puncheons  of  rum  every  year,. that  they  might  fup- 
ply  their  white  men  with  wliat  is  of  due  age,  inftead  erf"  p^foning  thpm 
with  that  fiery,  unwholefome  fpirit,  juii  iJrawn  from  the  ftill*  A. 
aegleft  of  this  humane  oeconomy,  cither  through  a  pitiful  avarice,. or  a 
brutal  indifference,  has  deftroyed  many  hundreds.  The  like,  caution 
may  be  offered,  in  refpeft  to  the  foldiers.  and  feamen.  oa  this  ftation.. 
The  way  to  have  it  wholefome,  and  potable,  is  to.lay  up,  in.  l^rge 
tight  huts,  a  fufficient  ftock  to  lerve  two  years ;  the  one-half  new,  .the 
other  at.  leaft  a  year  old;  by  this  method,  there  would,  be  a  con-- 

ft  ant: 


/? 


j6o  JAMAICA- 

tlant  fapplycf  good  fpirits;  and  whatever  fuperflukj  might  it^main, 
upon  leaving  the  ifland,  would  certainly  produce  much  more  than  the 
prime  coil,  whether  it  (hoiild  be  difpoied  of  at  that  market,  or  brought 
to  Great  Britain. 

5*  Where  an  iir/i  abounds,  the  fpirit  gains  by  time,  tn  confequence 
of  this  dulcificatlon,  a  grateful  flavour  and  odour. 

Where  volatUe  ^i/abcKinds,  the  feemlng  ranknels  of  fmell  and  tafte 
graduailly  goes  off,  or  is  converted  into  a  fpecies  of  perfume. 

6.  The  wholefomeneis  is  alfo  improved  by  time,  as  it  caufes  a  pri- 
vation of  thofe  ill  qualities,  which  render  the  freih  diftilled  fpirits  fo 
noxious. 

7.  Tl^  melafles  fpirit,  diftiiled  in  Britain  and  North-  America,  is 
fo  defedive  in  the  volatile  oiU  which  is  the  great  corredive,  and  gives 
the  charafteriftic  to  rum,  that  it  is  moft  palpably  difierent  from  it  in 
tafle  and  flavour,  as  well  as  in  its  moft  ialubrious  qualities. 

§  For  this  rea(bn  the  North  American  fpirit  is  better  than  the 
Brltilh ;  the  former  being  made  from  the  firft-drawn  melafles,  which 
generally  contains  a  portion  of  fugar,  and  a  large  (hare  of  this  oil. 
The  iF'rench  melafles  indeed  is  impoverifhed  very  much^  by  their  boil- 
ing it  over  again,  to  make  their  paneel  fugars ;  but  in  Jamaica  this 
piece  of  eeconomy  not  being  praAUed,  the  melafies  ibid  here  to  the 
North  Americans  is  twice  as  rich  as  what  they  purchafe  at  the  French 
Klands  ;  and  their  diftillers  probably  find  it  ib  in  the  yielding. . 

In  Britain  the  melafles  is  proportionably  jejune,  and  deprived  of  its 
richnefs ;  as  the  mufcovado  fugars,  by  the  time  they  fall  into  the 
iakers  hands,  have  been  pretty  well  drained  ;  fo  that  what  is  drawn 
in  the  refining  procefs,  and  afterwards  fold  to  the  di(lillers,  mxxh  be 
very  miKh  impoveriflied. 

Some  diftillers  buy  up  the  dark  uncured  fugars,  which  yield  a 
fpirit  of  better  quality ;  but  it  is  impoflible  for  them  to  produce  the 
^ame  fpirit  as  Jamaica  rum,  where  the  liquor  for  diftiiiation  is  conif^ 
pounded  of  various  mixtures^  not  to  be  obtained  by  the  Britifl|i 
diftiller. 

This  liquor,  for  example,  coniifts  <^ 

I'^-^rt  IkimmingSi 

I*- part  waihings^ 

I — part  cool  lce5. 

To 


BOOK  III.    CnAV.Vl.  561 

To  thefe  varioufly  coinpounded»  according  to  the  particular  judge- 
ment of  the  manufacturer,  and  other  circumftances,  the  ixielafTes  is 
added  during  their  fermentation  in  the  cifterns,  and  in  the  propor- 
tion of  about  fix  gallons  of  melafles  to  every  hundred  gallons  of 
liquor. 

Sometimes  it  is  made  wholly  of  crude  cane-liquor  and  melaiTes, 
run  into  fermentation  together. 

So  that  not  only  the  ingredients  are  various  and  differently  com- 
pounded ;  but  the  melafles,  which  is  the  principal  or  only  fubftance 
ufed  in  Britain  and  North-America,  bears  in  Jamaica  but  a  very  fmall 
proportion  to  the  other  ingredients,  being  only  as  6  to  100,  or 
thereabouts. 

.  8.  The  fpiritr  when  meliorated  by  union  with  thefe  corredive 
fubftances,  and  by  age,  is  reduced  to  a  mild  and  gentle  ftate ;  and^ 
when  taken  in  moderation^  is  not  only  fafe  and  wholefome,  but  even 
in  fome  cafes  falutary  and  medicinal. 

Its  aftringency,  when  duly  reftrained,  renders  it  invigorating  and 
cordial ;  and  its  power  of  checking  the  animal  ferments,  renders  it 
opponent  to  a  putrid  difpofition.  In  hot  countries,  therefore,  it 
prevents  that  extreme  relaxation  which  is  generally  fo  incommo- 
dious and  debilitating ;  and,  by  its  antifeptic  power,  that  tendency 
to  a  putrid  habit,  which  induces  the  moft  fatal  difeafes. 

§  The  eifential  points,  to  make  it  become  medicinal  and  whole- 
fome,  are  then,  ifl,  the  keeping  it  to  a  due  age;  2dly,  the  iifing  it 
in  moderate  quantity.  The  ufeof  it  in  the  Weft-Indies,  under  thefe 
precautions,  is  fo  far  from  being  injurious,  that  it  adapts  the  body 
to  fuftain  the  heat  of  the  climate  with  lefs  inconvenience,  and  checks 
the  humours  from  running  into  putrefcency.  This  feems  confirmed  by 
obfervation,  and  the  cuftomary  practice  of  the  inhabitants  in  hot 
climates^  ' 

•Among  the  Spaniards  at  Carthagena,  the  ufe  of  fpirits  is  fo  com** ' 
moh  that  the  moft  regular  and  fober  perfbns  never  omit  drinking  a 
fmall  glafs  every  forenoon  about  eleven  o'clock,  alledging  that  it  - 
ftrengthens  the  ftomach,  weakened  by  copious,  conftant  perfpiration,  ' 
and  (harpens  the  appetite.  Hacer  las  once^  To  do  the  eleven  \  that  is, 
to  drink  a  glaf^  of  fpirit,  is  the  ordinary  invitation.  But  this  cuf-  ; 
totn,  which  is  not  'eftcemcd  pernicious  when  ufed  with  moderation^'  ' 
J  Vox.  II.  4  C  has 


v> 


S62  J    A    M.    A    I    C    A;. 

has  degei>e,»i4fd  intp.vicc^.many  being  fo  fond  of  it,,  that  they  do« 
notjiing/  ihfi  whole:  4ay  Ijut  //fi/^^r  las  onct.  ]?crfons  of.  diftindioo 
ufo;  Spanifh  brandy,  but  the  lower  fort  a.  kind  of  mm  diitiUbd  from< 
the  ftigarrcanc. 

Jobfoa  remarks,  that  the  common  people  in  Guiney  eat  only.  ^0^^ 
a  day,  which  is  after  fun-fet.  They  hold,  that  eating  feldom,.  and: 
in  the  cooler  part  of  the  day,  is  a  good  prefcrvative  of  health*  He 
adds,  that  the  natural  moidure  being  drawn  out^^rds  to  refrefh^the 
extern4  parts  when  parched  by  the  fon'^  heat,,  the  flomachJa  then 
cold|  and  fitter  to  receive  a  dram  than  to  digeA  folid.  food  ^  in  proof 
of  which  opinion,  he  afTcrts  to  have  found  by  experience,  diac  he 
and  his  men  could  drink  as  much  brandy  in  the  middle  of  the  day, 
at  a  time,  as  in  England  would  bavf  burnt  out  tHeiit  vtry  hearts ;  that, 
is  his  exprpflion^ 

The  fweating^  which  happeps  ii>  con/equeAC«:  of  overmuch  re- 
laxation in  fimc  hot  climates^  feema  to  be  of.  the.CQlliqwitiveikiQd,^ 
cefembling  that  which  accompanies  putrid  diAempersi^-thtir'ad- 
vanced  ftage^  when  there,  is  an  utter  proftration  of  (Irength^.  and: 
when  the  blood  is  haftening  into  a  total  difTolution;,  a  moderate; 
dram  of  fome  fpirituous  liquor,  at fuch  times^  operates  by  it«  braciogi 
or  aftringent  quality,  and  fuppreiles  thjc  immoderate  flaw  ,of  perfpi- 
ration ;  hence  thofe  pcrfons  who  drink  this  liqpor  oioderat^lyi  when 
they  are  almofl  overcome  with  the  debilitation  of  heat  and  moifture^ 
perceive  a.  fenfation  of  coolnefs,.  and  cea£b  to  fweat  fo  profuiely» 
But  the  wholefomer  way  of  ufing  it  wouid  probably>  be  with  a  due 
mixture  of  water^  like  the  reapers  of  Pennfylvania,  noentioned  by 
Mr.  Franklin.  Jn  this  wayJikewife  admiral  Vernon,.,  when  he  was» 
at  Jamaica^,  caufed  the  crews  of  hiS'fquadron.to  be  ierved,  and  it 
caufed  a  wonderful  change  in  their  health;. for  with  this  caution 
they,  became  lefsfubject  to  bad  fevers^  and  were  able  to  go  through 
the  fatigues  of  their  duty  without  inconvenience. 

The  moft  wholefomc  proportion  of  rum  to  watcr^  in  this  cli- 
mate,, is*  aa-  I  to  ij6,  or  half  a  pint  of  rum  to  a  gallon  of  water>  and 
the  allowance  to  foldiers^  feameii^  and  vc^hite  iervants,  (hould  rarely, 
or  ever  exceed  it»,  for  their  ordinary  beverage;.,  the  price  of  half  a 
pint  of  rum.  is  feldom  above.  i\d.  Jamaica  currency,,  or  \\d% 
fterJingi.  the  navy  allowance  of  beer  is  one  gjdloato  each  common 

I.  fcaman 


BGOIC   III.     CH'XR  VI.  563 

Teaman  ferdtem^  the  price  of  which  cannot  be  rated  rcwcr  tli'an  3^, 
whence  rt  arppears,  that,  without  any  extra  charge  to  govdrntticrpt, 
the  feamen  on  this  ftation  might  be  fupplied  with  a  dai?ty  alltf^hce 
'of  fugar  OT  melafles,  viz.  a  pint  of  mclaffes,  or  half  &  poufnd  Weight 
of  mufcovado  fugar,  the  coft  of  either  of  Which  wotild  not  exceed 
one  penny  (lerling,  and  in  general  it  would  be  found  to  fell  ftiort 
of  the  expence  of  beer,  about  |  d  fterling  per  gallon,  *and  con- 
duce infinitely  better  to  keep  the  men  in  good  health. 

The  liquor  called  grog^  or  a  mixture  of  rum  and  water,  is  often 
rendered  noxious  by  putting  in  an  over-proportion  df  rflm.  For 
although  the  drinkers  of  it  fct  out  at  firft  with  a  inoderate  tjuantrty 
tof  the  fpiril ;  yet,  as  by  habit  it  grows  more  and  more  tafteltefs,  they 
arc  induced  gradually  to  add  a  little  knd  a  littte  tnore,  till  thty  bring 
their  mixture  to  equal  parts  of  half  rum^  half  water,  and  f6metime« 
three  parts  fpirit  to  one  of  water,  for  their  comihon  dilution  at  meals* 
and  in  the  heat  of  the  day.  I  have  known  feveral  perfons  deflroy 
themfelves  in  this  manner,  who  at  firft  were  extrethely  fober  and 
temperate ;  but  it  was  a  work  of  fomc  time  before  they  arrived  at 
that  degree  of  excels  vvhich  was  necelTary  to  bring  oh  i  dropfy,  or 
other  bad  habit  of  body.  Without  a  large  proportion  of  water,  dr 
the  correction  of  a  fubacid,  as  the  juices  of  fruits,  melalTes,  fugar, 
cremor  Tartaric  tamarinds,  and  the  like,  it  promotes,  inftead  of  al- 
laying, third ;  and  every  draught,  that  is  fwallowed,  ferves  bilt  tb 
provoke  the  fwallowing  another,  till  the  faculties  are  (lupified. 

After  being  heated  in  this  climate  with  exercife  in  the  fun,  I 
know  not  a  more  excellent  remedy  than  a  bafon  of  warm  green  tea, 
fweetened  with  fugar  or  fyrup,  with  the  addition  of  a  fpoonful  d£ 
found  old  rum.  This  prefently  reflores  the  perfpiration^  takes  off 
the  fenfation  of  fatigue,  and  is  cooling  and  refrefhing.  But  cold 
liquors,  as  punch,  &c.  drank  at  fuch  a  time,  are  apt  to  fupprefs 
the  perfpiration,  increafe  heat,  and  bring  on  violent  pains  in  the 
head,  and  fometimes  a  fever. 

9.  The  faccharine  matter  fermented  in  order  to  the  making  rum, 
produces  in  hot  climates  a  copious  quantity  of  volatile  oil^  which 
unites  with  the  fpirit  during  fermentation. 

Part  of  this  oil  then  combines  with  the  fpirit,  and  comes  over  in 
the  courfe  of  diftillation  united  with  it. 

4  C  2  The 


564  JAMAICA- 

The  other  part  rifes  uncombined^  but  unites  by  Jlow  degrees 
afteriMrds.  A  proportion  of  volatile  oil  is  likewife  produced  in  the 
'  procefs  of  diftillationi  by  the  adion  of  the  fire  upon  that  faccharine 
matter  in  the  diftilling  liquor^  which  has  continued  unchanged  by 
fermentation,  and  adheres  to  the  ftillj  in  form  of  nvbat  is  general^ 
called  dunder. 

ID.  The  volatile  oil,  which  comes  over  uncombined,  imparts  to 
frefii  diftilled  rum  that  ranknefs  of  fmell  and  tafte,  which  are  al- 
moft  always  found  in  it.  And  the  aftringent  quality  of  the  pure 
fpirit^  as  yet  not  united  in  due  proportion  with  this  oil,  caufes  that 
iiery  pungency,  which  it  remarkably  poirefTes  at  that  time. 

1 1  •  But  the  union  being  afterwards  perfected  and  matured,,  by 
due  age,  the  rank  tafle^  fmell,  and  acrid  pungency,  are  then  con- 
verted into  fuch  as  are  grateful.  The  aftringent  and  coagulating 
powers  of  the  fpirit,  of  courfe,  are  materially  correded,  infomuch 
that  they  ceafe  to  be  detrimental  to  thofe  perfons  who  drink  it  in 
fit  moderation. 

12.  This  dulcification  is  verified  by  an  eafy  experiment.  A  piece 
of  raw  iie(h  being  fleeped  in  brandy,  another  in  rum,^  ft  is  founds 
that  the  plumpnefs  and  foftnefs  of  the  flefh  is  much  longer  retained 
under  the  adtion  of  rum,  than  under  that  of  brandy.  Although 
brandy  will  harden  it  flill  lefs  than  redified  fpirit  of  wine,  or 
alcohol. 

13.  Brandy  is  united  with  fome  portion  of  acid^  but  no  volatile 
oil.  It  comes  therefore  nearer  to  pure  ardent  fpirit,  has  not  its 
noxious  qualities  corrected,  and  confequently  is  ytry  inferior  tp 
rum  in  falubrity. 

14.  There  are  inflances  where  the  fre(h  diftilled  rum  has  all  the 
fenfible  good  qualities  that,  in  general,  are  only  to  be  gained  by  the 
improvement  of  time  and  long  keeping.  This  peculiarity  has  its 
caufe  in  the  volatile  bit  being  of  fiich  a  nature,  that  the  whole  of  it 
unites  immediately  with  the  fpirit  in  the  procefl^s  of  fermentation 
and  diflillation,  and  thus  renders  the  rum  perfect  at  the  firft. 

§  Thismuft  be  underftood  only  in  a  certain  degree.  For  the  bed 
'fpirit  that  can  be  made,  when  iirft  drawn,  is  not  without  that  fiery, 
pungent,  acrid  tade  before  defcribed,  though  it  becomes  divefted  of 
it  in  a  much  ihorter  time* 

15*  This 


BOOK  111     CHAP.  VL  565 

T^k  This  materially  depends  on  the  right  management  of  the 
diftilling  procefs,  taking  care  never  to  draw  off  the  fpirit  or  runnings 
too  low ',  for  whenever  this  happens^  the  concreted  matter  at  the 
bottom  of  the  flill  will  be  apt  to  burn,  and  an  empyreumatic  oil  comes 
over,  which  requires  great  length  of  time  to  make  it  unite  with  the 
fpiritf  and  fometimes  it  cannot  be  cured  of  this  depravity  by  the 
longefl  keeping. 

§^  The  beft  method  for  preventing,  fuch  an  effe<5l  will  be,  to  keicp 
up  an  equal,  and  not  too  violent,  fire,  and  to  draw  off  the  runnings 
for  marketable  ufe  not  a  moment  longer  than  while  they  continup 
..pprfeftly  limpid,  colourlefs,  or  clear  from  any  whitifti  cloud  or  tinge; 
a  fmall  quantity  of  which  is  fufficient  to  fpoil  the  flavour  of  a  whole 
puncheon  of  the- fpirit. 

§  This  milky  tinge  is  the  fure  criterion,  to  fhew  that  a  burnt  or 
naufeous.  empyreumatic  oil  is  rifing,  and  that  the  rum  is  what  is 
commonly  called^/7A3«r«/.-  Itafcends  commonly  towards  the  end  ■ 
of  the  operation.  Some  planters  draw  the  runnings  too  long,  from 
,a  miflaken  thrift  of  making  the  moff  they  can,  and  thus  perhaps 
depredate  the  whole  of  their  diftilla'tion.  What  firft  comes  over  is 
always  the.  bed,  and,  when. diluted  to  the  ftandard  proof  with  pure 
fpring  water,  it  makes  the  fineft '  rum.  In  Jaimaica,  •  they  generally 
mix  the  whole  of  the  firft  runnings  together,  and  diftil  or  redtiiy 
them  over  again,  referving  alfb  the  low  wines,  or  latter  runnings,  fot  • 
the  fame  purpofe'. 

1 16.  This  empyreumatic  oil  is  apt  to  difagree  with  Tome  fl6mach^^  . 
and  caufe  the  heart-burn.  But  the  effe£t  is  rather  an  inconvenience  thati  ^ 
any  injury.     It  only  gives  rife  to  an  unpleafing  fenfation,  but  doti^ 
no  real  prejudice  to  the  health. 

17.  No  fpirituous  liquor  digefts  more  kindly,  or  affifts  digeffioa 
more  efficacioufly,  than  good  rum^  iufficiently  diluted  with  water, 
and  drank  in  proper  quantity.     The  ufe  of  it  has  even  been  found 
effedual  in  feme  chronical  cafes  of  bad  digeftibn,   where  air  other  • 
means  of  relief  have  failed. 

The  comparative  effedls  of  rum  and  b'randy  on  the  health  have' 
been  noted  at  fea,. where  they  are  particularly  diftinguifhable;  when  > 
it  has  happened,  that,  in  failure  of  being  able  to  procure  the  former^^. - 

tTa 


566  J    A  'MA    I   iC    A. 

the  latter  has  been  fubftituted.  The  decline  of  health  that  has  fol- 
lowed has  htcn  eKceedingly  conspicuous  on  t4)^is  change,  from  the 
ufe  of  rum  to  that  of  brandy ;  numbers  of  feamcn  contrading  difor- 
ders  they  were  free  from  before. 

'  §  Mr.  Ka/m  mentions,  that,  in  the  North- American  provinces, 
rum  is  efteemed  much  wholefomer  than  trandy ;  and  he  waS  told 
.  by  Major  Rutherforth^  that,  being  upon  the  Canada  expedition,  he 
had  obferved  that  fuch  of  his  men'  as  drank  1}randy  for  fome  time, 
died  of  it;  but  thofe  who  drank  rum  were  not  hurt,  though  they 
got  drunk  with  it  every  day,  and  oftener  than  the  others. 

The  caufe  of  this  great  difference  is  obvious  from  the  foregoing 
,  remark^. 

i^.  It  is  proper  however  that  this  fpirit  (bould  always  be  drunk  in 
:  moderation.  Whatever  quantity  infringes  on  fobrjety^  and  brings 
<  on  any  diforder,  ought  to  be  diminifhed.  It  is  always  proper  like« 
wife, ;  that  in  the  daily  conftant  ufe  of  this  fpirit^  it  (hould  be  dU 
:  luted  with  water  or  other  fmall  liquor,  which  will  render  it  more 
mild  and  inofieniive  iq  its  aAion  on  the  ftomacb^  and  organs  of 
;  fecretioin. 

Thc;too  cppious  ufe  of  thofe  very  aftringent  adds,  the  juice  oi 

Umc9  and  lemoos  along  witb  fpiritSj  h^  greatly  pronu>ted  the  ia« 

]^^y  dpne  to  the  health  of  thofe  who  have  d;ruok  them  to  excei^ 

aAd.ih.moft  habits  they  are  apt  to  do  mifchlef.     But  the  juice  of 

QraQ|;(8j  aod  milder  fruits,  taken  with  fuch  fpirits,  is  lefs  noxious. 

sX'PuiQi)^  and  limes  ought  always  to  be  admitted  fparingly  and  with 

,  the  greateft  caution. 

§  It  is  a  very  wrong  and  injudicious  cuflom  in  Jamaica^  in  taveras 
as  well  as  private  houfest  to  ufe  green  limes  in  making  punch;  for 
leoions  or  Seville  oranges  are  feldom  made  uie  of.  The  juice  of 
green  limes  is  of  a  very  corrofive  nature ;  and  hence  its  efficacy  in 
.  clean fing  foul  ulcers.  There  is  ilrong  reafon  to  believe,  that  this 
moil  noxious  ingredient  is  often  produAive  of  cramps  and  other 
ipafmodic  pomplaints ;  and  that  its  bad  effefts  would  be  more 
i^verely  felt,  if  it  were  not  that  they  are  in  fome  meafure  corrected 
by  the  fugar  which  makes  a  part  of  the  compofitbn.  The  acid  of 
^this  unripe  fruit  is  fo  (harp,  that  it  .excoriates  the  inteftines,  and 

xaufes 


BOOK  IIi:    C  HA  R   VI.  $67 

ctufes  bloody,  ftools^  if  fwallowed.  without  any  corredfor  [^].  But 
when  they  are  ripe,  their  juice/ having  been  thoroughly  concod:ed' 
by  the  fun^  becomes  mild  and  inoffenfive,  if  ufed  with  a  due  pro- 
pprtion  of  fugar ;  and  experience  (hews^  that  all  fruit  may  be  more 
fafely  eaten,  the  more  fugar  it-  contains. 

The  fafer  way  is,  to  fubflitute  the  Seville  orange,  which  grows 
wild  in  every  part  of  this  iflandi  and  might teafily  be  propagated  in* 
lufficient  quantity  on  every  plantation,  or  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
the  towns,  for  fupplying  the  inhabitants.. 

It  is  a  queftioB  whether  the.  addition^  of  the  <:a(boo  fruity  which* 
peflefles  an  highly,  ftyptic  acid,  be^  proper  in  punch  ?  It^  communr-  - 
cates  a  pleafant  flavour,  and  perhaps  the  roafting  before  it  is  ufed  for  ' 
this  purfpie  may  abate  much  of  its  aftringency,  which  is  fo  great  in  • 
the  crude  fruit,  that  it  has  often  performed  a  cure  in  dropfital  cdm*  - 
plaints,  occafioned  by  the  immoderate  ufe  of  fpirituous- liquors  i  I  ^ 
{ball  not  V thecefof 6  haftily .  coodemn,^  what  may  poiHbly:  operate  as  ^ 
an  antidote  in  fome  degree  to  thebadcfFc^  of  thofc  fpirits.  • 

It  was  a  long  time  a  vulgar  prejudice,;  .that  the  diforder  called  the  - 
belly-ache  was  caufed  by  drinking  rum  mixed  with  dark  uncleanfed 
fogar  in  punch.     But  it  is  morally  certain  that  this  was  an  erroneous 
opinion,  and  that  the  juice  of  unripe  fruit,  which  was- fuppofed  the  - 
nioft  harmleft  ingredient,  was  in  fa£t  the  primary  caufe  of  this  mif-  - 
chievous  confequence  in  many  cafes  [2]. 

[>]  If  a  fowl  juft  killed^  or  a  piece  *oC  butcberft  meat  juft  flaughtered,  is  fie^ped  before  it  is 
pH^  on  the  fpit,  in  the  juice  of  unripe  limes  for  fome  little  time,  or  if  the  juice  of  tbrer  or  four  '• 
is-iqaeezed  into  the  water  wherein  fuch  iiefh  is  intended  to  beboiledy  it  will  become  fo  foftened. 
as  to  be  thorougly  drefled^in  an  hour's  time;-  The  N^;roe  cooks,  who  are  to  drefs  what  is  CalM 
hece  VL  furpnzed  fifvdf  or  one  whkh  is  required  to  be  loaflcd  or  boiled  with  great  expedition  • 
immediately  after  it  is  killed  and  plucked,  pour  Ihne- juice  down  the  throat,  and  at  the  venr,to  make 
tlie  flefh  tender  and  eatable.  -  The  fame  cfieifl  is  caufed-  by  the  juice  of  the  unripe; papaw  fhik, 
which  is  known  to  be  highly,  caullic.  An  eminent  phyficiaii  for  this  leafon  advifed,'  that  the  limes 
u{ed  for  making  punch  fliould*  be  lliced  thin,  and  boiling  water  poured  on  them*,,  to  extrai^  mu- 
cilage out  of  the  feeds,  which  may  pterent  the  acid  from  (hutting  up  the  neck  of  the  gall'-bladder  t 
and  he  affirmed  that  it  might  be  drunk  with  much  more  fecurity  by  being-fo  blended. 

[a]  Dr..  Ch^ne  declares  it  theyJZr  caufe.     ^  In  the  U'efi-In^es  (fays  he)  where,  from  the  ne*    • 
"  ceflity  of  drinking  much,,  and  from  the  'want  of  proper  liquors,  they  are  forced  to  driuk  laKich  funch^ 
*•  though  lemons  and  oranges  be  in  their  full  perfection,  they  are  univerjhlfy  afilidled  with  nervous 
•«•  and  mortal  dry  bdly-aches,  pallies,  cramps,  and  convulfions,  which  cut  them  ojf  in  afi^vj  dqys^   • 
**  entirely  owing  to  thii  /^(/ohous  mixture."    The  doctor  was  fadly  miflaken  in  thefe*pofin6ns   ' 
and  ib.  he  was  told  by  ^cotemporary  writer.     **  If  the  Wert-Indians  are  u/tkfer/ali^  afflidted  with 
**'  thefe  difordcrsi^  and  are  cut-in  a  fivj  iiays^  how  can  any  inhabitants  remain  alive?  But  if 

the-- 


S6%  J    A    M    A    I    C    A. 

This  diforder  is  a  fpafniodic  affection  of  the  bowels,  which  may 
proceed  from  the  irritation  of  fuch  a  corroding  acid,  or  from  a  fuddea 
repulfe  of  the  perfpiration  after  the  body  has  been  violently  heated 

*^  Utit  funcf^rinkers  alone  arc  meant,  tbe  dodor  has  been  mifinformed;  for  the  people  in  the 
««  Weil-Indies  have  plenty  of  wines  from  all  the  countries  producing  that  commodity,  and  ale 
**  and  cyd«r  from  England,  and  are  under  no  neceflity  of  drinking  punch  for  want  of  other  liquors. 
'*'  They  make  Madeira  wine  and  water  ferve  the  common  purpofes  df  drinking,  as  we  do  fmall 
'*  beer  in  England ;  nor  is  it  to  oo  be  fuppoled  that  an  opulent  people,  whofe  commerce  obliges 
^  them  to  have  dealings  with  almofb  eveiy  country  in  Europe,  would  want  any  conveniency  that 
^  Europe  can  afford ;  nor  can  we  imagine,  without  infulting  the  good  (enfe  of  thefe  people,  that 
*'  they  would  indulge  themfelves  in  a  liquor  fo  poifonous  and  deftru£live  to  them,  as  the  6oGtor 
**.  defcribes  punch  to  be,  when  they  have  fo  great  a  variety  of  other  liquors  that  aniwer  all  the 
'*  ends  of  drinking.  The  dry  belly-ache,  which  is  fo  peculiar  to  that  part  of  the  world,  attacks 
*<  the  women  as  well  as  the  men ;  yet  the  women  there  are  particulaily  remarkable  for  their 
*^  temperance,  and  abftinence  from  llrong  liquors ;  and  many  of  both  fexes,  who  never  tailed 
*^punoh,  or  indulged  in  any  flroog  liquor  in  their  lives,  are  affii^l;ed  with  this  dillemper.  Nor 
*^  is  it  true  that  it  is  mortal ;  going  to  a  colder  climate  never  fails  to  produce  a  cure,  without 

•"^^  taking  any  other  remedy ;  and  this  difeafe  is  ib  far  from  cutting  them  off  in  a  few  days,  that 
*'  they  who.Uve  ibberly,  when  they  are  (b  affli£led,  generally  recover  in  a  very  little  time ;  and  it 
**  vwill  hold  thofe  who  continue  the  exceffive  uie  of  llrong  liquors  many  months,  and  even  yean, 
**  before  they  are  either  killed  by  it,  or  cured  of  it."  The  lad  point  is  in  regard  to  the  fruity 
lemcms  and  oranges,  which,  the  do«ftor  (ays,  are  found  in  the  utmoft  perfedlion  in  thole  places ; 
and  of  courfe  he  fuppofed,  they  were  ufed  only  in  that  ilate:  but  herein  he  was  greatly  iniih(ke& 
again;  for.  whatever  nufchievous.  effeds  thefe  firuits  have  produced,  hivebeen  vowing  entirely, 
either  to  the  eating  too  large  a  quantity  of  them  at  a  time,  or  to  the  ufe.of  fuch  as  were  not  half 

.  ripe,^  and  cdnfequendy  not  in  that  flate  of  perfedlion  which  he  has  fuppofed.    Dr.  TVapham,  in 

:  remarking  on  this  difbrder,  ingenioufly  obferves,  that  the  Eaft-Indians,  though  living  under  much 
the  fame  temperament  of  climate,  ,are  not  afflifled  with  it;  which  exemption  he  afcribes-  to. their 

.  conflaut  ufe  of  baths  and  undions ;  by  which  the  cutaneous  pores  are  kept  open  for  a  fice 
difcharge  of  the  perfpirable  matter,  and  the  origin  of  thefe  fpafms  thus  fet  looie,  inilead  of  being 
locked  up.  And  upon  this  principle  be  fbongly  recommends  the  ufe  of  *  warm  and  'refrefhing 
baths,  Aveetened  with  orange- flowers  and  the  aromatic  leaves  of  the.  country;  more  particularly 
after  a  journey,  or  other  hard  exercife;  to  which  may  alio  be  joined  dry-rubbing  with  flannel  or 
a  coarfe  towel.     This. advice  is  fln>ngly  fupported  by  an-  obfervation' which  every  one  here  muft 

have  made,  viz.  that  the  Negroes,  and  the  white  natives,  who  bathe  every  day,  are  rarely  or  ever 

ubje6t  to  this  difbrder ;  and  that  warm  bathing  has  generally  procured  relief  and  eafe  to  patients 

.  1  abouring  under  it,  when  other  remedies  have  failed.    Trapham  mentions  a  fpecific  for  it,  which 

had  been  proved  efHcacious  by  a  vafl  number  nf  trials;  this  is  a  fpecies  of  tif/jymaiusj  Br.  p.  234. 

called  by  Pifo,  Cajadaj  p.  102.  fnake-weed,  or  creeping-hairy-fpurge.     It  is  a  fmall,  creepij^ 

milky  plant;  its  leaves  not  unlike  thofe  of  mint,  but  longer  and  narrower,  of  a  dark*green  colour; 

its  flalk  inclining  to  a  reddifhnefs,  with  fmall  fibres  or  hairy  radicles ;  between  its  leaf,  at  the  - 

joints  of  the.  ftalk,  the  flowers  come  out  in  fmall  bunches,  and  of  a  green  colour.    It  b  commoE 

in  all  the  dry  favannahs  of  Jamaica. 

A  drachm  of  the  dried  herb  is  given  powdered  in  any  convenient  liqucr,  and  repeated  once  in   . 

three  or  four  hours  till  the  ufual  fymptoms  abate ;  or  it  may  be  made  into  a  fyrup,  and  given  from  . 

one. ounce  to  three,  fro  re  nata;  likewife  in  deco6tions  and  clyllers.    He  recommends  it  alfo  to  * 

jbe  inlufed  or  boiled  in  the  medicated  baths  prepared  for  cafes  of  this  nature. 

with  ., 


book:  HL  •  CM  A'P.  ^ VI.  ^9 

With  motion  or  hard  drinklngi  by  which  fome  acrimanioitt  humour 
is  lodged  upon  them.  Sailors  who  tope  half  rum^  half  water,  till 
they  are  fweating  at  every  pore,  and  tumble  almoft  naked  on  the 
open  deck,  or  in  a  ftreet,  and  there  fleep,  expofed  to  the  damps  of 
the  night  air  dnd  dew;  or  white  fervants  on  plantations,  who  follow 
the  like  fottifh  praftice  j  or  others  who  are  obliged  to  travel  in  the 
night,  and  after  riding  hard  till  a  fweat  is  excited,  come  on  a  fudden 
to  a  fteep  hill,  or  a  river,  which  conftrains  them  to  walk  their 
horles  a  gentle  pace ;  or  thofe  who  are  chilled  by  a  fudden  rain ;  or 
who  are  toocarelefs  after  violent  dancing ;  all  thefe  perfons  are  liable 
to  be  afflided  with  fuch  a  fpafmodic  diforder.  Hence  it  appears, 
that  it  may  proceed  from  a  variety  of  caufes,  and  affect  even  the 
moft  fbber  and  temperate  perfons,  as  is  well  known  it  doe^  in  Ja« 
maica ;  and  the  okum  nam,  or  nut-oU^  which  is  ufed  with  fo  much 
fuccefs  in  giving  relief  to  thofe  afflided  with  it,  owes  perhaps  its 
efficacy  to  the  opening,  foothing,  lubricating  nature  of  its  operation, 
by  which  it  fweeps  away  the  acrid  matter  that  was  perpetually 
ftimulating,  fupplies  the  want  of  mucus,  to  the  abraded  parts,  and  - 
recompofes  the  nerves,  in  conlcquence  of  which  the  fpafm  or  con- 
vulfion  ceafes. 

Let  me  now  jufl:  recapitulate,  for  it  cannot  be  repeated  too  often, 
the  deftrudive  efFefts  of  ipirituous  liquors  immoderately  ujed\  for 
rum,  though  lefs  pernicious  than  any.  other,  is  not  lefs  noxious  in 
the  end,  when  drank  in  excefs  for  any  confiderable  time. 

When  drank  in  this  manner,  they  render  the  fibres  of  the  body 
too  rigid  and  tenfe.  They  communicate  an  acrimony  to  the  animal 
fluids,  and,  not  mingling  freely  with  them,  thicken,  coagulate, 
and  obftruft  their  circulation,  efpecially  in  the  fmaller  veffels. 
They  caufe  the  liver  and  mefenteric  glands  to  become  fchirrhous, 
render  the  bile  tenacious  and  vifcid,  deftroy  the  appetite,  hinder  the 
excretion  of  the  urine,  and  produce  difeafes  that  terminate  in  un-* 
timely  death  \xi\.     The  dropfy  was  formerly  fo  common  in  Ja-* 

maica, 

\a\  Their  corroflve  a6HoD  on  the  ilomach  and  bowels  may  be  imagmed,  from  the  e&6ts 
.obiervedon  the  hogs  in  Germany  fed  with  the  diftillers  wafli;  their  guts  are  fo  rotted,  that  the 
inhabitants  camiot  make  hogs-puddingt  with  them.  To  the  fame  caufe  it  is  owing,  that  the 
ilelh  of  fuch  hogs  becomes  fo  tender  that  it  will  not  keep  by  falting. 

It  is  a  known  obfervation  of  expert  dealers  in  hair  tor  wigs,  that  they  can  diftinguiih  the  dram- 
drinkers  hair  by  the  touch,  finding  it  dry,  harih,  dead*ended,  and  unfit  for  ule :  and  in  the  fame 

VoL»  II»  4  D  manaer 


570  JAMAICA. 

maica,  that  it  went  by  the  name  of  the  country  difeafe ;  it  drew  its 
origin  from*  the  pradlice  of  inebriating  with  raw  rum,  which  in 
thofe  days  was  almoft  the  only  fpirituous  liquor  the  inhabitants 
were  able  to  procure.  It  is  now  grown  uncommon;  the  inhabi- 
tants are  not  only  more  temperate,  but  provide  themfelves  with 
Madeira  wine,  and  a  variety  of  other  vinous  liquors;  drink  lefs 
rum,  and  more  diluted ;  perhaps  too  they  are  much  improved  in 
the  art  of  diftillation^  and  have  produced  fome  amendment  in  point 
of  quality. 

One  of  the  bed  of  all  drinks  for  this  climate  is  good  water,  mixed 
with  a  moderate  quantity  of  found  wine,  as  I  have  had  before  occa« 
iion  to  remark;  but  as  fome  cautions  are  neceflary  to  diredt  the 
choice  of  fuch  water  as  is  beft  accommodated  to  health  and  di- 
geftion ;  or  to  inflruA  the  means  of  purifying  and  correcting  it, 
when  impregnated  with  noxious  mineral  or  other  particles ;  I  fliall 
confider  them  in  a  feparate  fedkion. 

WATER. 

manner  \i  is  that  it  fjpoils  tlie  ftomach  and  bowels,  the  liver  and  lungs,  and  the  whole  body,  of 
"diofe  unhappy  perfons.  Their  ftomachs  are  contra^ed  into  half  the  common  natural  fize,  and 
hardened  like  leather  that  has  been  held  to  the  fire^  the  confcquence  of  which  is  a  lofi  of  appe* 
tite,  and  a  walling  confumption. 

The  rage  of  maakind  is  fuch  for  theie  liquors,  that  it  18  almod  dangerous  to  fay  any  thing  in 
their  behalf,  left  it  -ihould  be  midaken  for  an  encouragement  to  perfevere ;  and  indeed  it  avails 
but  little  to  preach  up  moderation  in  the  ufe  of  them,  to  thofe  who  will  fet  no  bounds  to  their 
fottiih  habits  from  any  fenfe  of  their  ill  coniequence  to  health ;  fuch  beads  mull  be  retrained 
by  meer  force  and  authority,  and  debarred  from  the  means  of  procuring  ^o  much  as  may  do 
them  injuryi  for  they  cannot  or  will  not  judge  for  themiclves  within  the  line  of  common 
prudence. 

It  appeared  from  admiral  KfunKtUs^s  orders,  when  he  commanded  a  fleet  at  Bofton^  that  his  men 
got  drunk  with  New-England  rum  at  the  rate  of  a  tl^mfand  in  a  dq^\  and  that  1400  New-England 
men  were  killed  by  it  in  two  months ;  and  in  New  Jerfey,  where  it  is  fold  very  cheap,  the  people 
are  fo  attached  to  ic,  that  in  harvell-time  they  make  it  their  bargain  to  have  every  man  a^'/i/  a  day, 
befldes  wages. 

Thofe  commanders  therefore  cannot  be  too  much  applauded^  wha  have  the  prudence  and 
humanity  to  oblige  their  men  to  drink  fpirits  largely  diluted  with  water  ;  which,  as  I  have  before 
taken  notice,  was  pradtifed  with  the  happieft  eifedt  by  admiral  Perntm.  Captain  Ellis  attributed 
to- the  fame  wi(e  precaution,  the  uncommon  fuccefs  he  bad  in  bringing  home,  in  the  yeaxs  17  J j 
and  1 7  J  J,  all  his  white  men,  which  were  thirty- four,  and  thirty-fix  in  health,  from  a  G^'isvy  voyage 
of  fifteen  months.     Hales  on  Ventilators. 

The  fame  precaution  fhould  be  ufed  by  the  commanders  of  the  regular  troops,  and  the  overfecn 
of  plantations  in  Jamaica,  Nothing  can  inore  plainly  evince  the  fatal  eifecib  of  thefe  exceiles^ 
4han  the  general  appearance  and  untimely  end  of  moft  of  the  white  men  and  Negroes  emplojxd 
in  the  dillilling-houfes,  who,  as  they  can  fupply  themfelves  freely  and  without  reflraint,  fo  they 
fivili  immoderate  quantities  of  freflx  diftilled  rum,  piping  liot  from  the  woitDi  for  they  cannot 

fo 


BOOK  Iir.    CHAP.    Vr.  ^71 

WATER. 

SECT.      VI. 

Water ^  in  its  natural  ftate,  is  no  where  to  be  found  entirely  fimpfe 
and  pure;  but  it  is  generally  treated  of  by  authors,  under  two 
heads^  common,  and  mineral.  Common  water  admits  of  all  thofe 
various  impregnations,  which  are  not  obvious  to  the  fmell  or  tafte, 
and  have  no  fenfible  aftion  on  the  human  body.  The  impregnations 
in  mineral  waters  will  afFeft  the  body,  and  health,  according  to 
the  properties  of  the  fubftances  diflblved,  or  contained  in  them;  and 
in  proportion  as  the  quantity  of  fuch  heterogeneous  particles  bo 
greater  or  lefs.  But  it  is  to  be  obferved,  that  this  definition  is  not 
compleatly  fatisfadlory  :  there  is  a  middle  clafs  of  water,  which  is 
lincompounded  with  any  mineral  or  foflile  fubftance,  and  yet  may 
contain  particles  imperceptible  to  the  eye  or  tafte,  different  from 
what  are  ufually  found  in  common  water.  It  may,  for  example,  con« 
tain  the  fubtile  ova^  or  exuvia^  of  various  infe^Sls,  or  a  volatile  gas, 

fo  well  procure  any  better.    They  are  bloated,  pallid,  emaciated,  without  appetite,  and  generally 
die  of  dropiies  or  confumptions. 

The  ovcrfeer  fhould  never  deliver  an  allowance  of  rum  to  the  white  fervants  to  ufe  at  their 
pleafure,  unlefs  he  .can  rely  on  their  difcretion  and  ibbriety ;  it  ought  to  be  fenred  to  them  every 
day  ready  mixed  with  water ;  at  leaft  this  might  be  the  conflant  fure  penalty  of  their  being  ever 
found  inebriated. 

The  beil  way  of  leaving  off  a  habit  of  dram-drinking  is,  by  degrees  to  mix  water  with  the 
drams ;  to  leiTen  the  quantity  of  fpirit  every  day,  and  keep  to  the  fame,  or  an  encreafed  q^uantity 
of  water,  till,  in  about  the  courfe  of  a  week,  no  fpirit,  or  bat  very  little,  is  ufed. 

By  this  means  the  party  will  fufier  no  inconvenience,  hut  reap  great  benefit,  as  has  beea 
experienced  by  many. 

If  any  gnawing  is  left  in  the  ftomach,  a  little  warm  broth  is  a  good  remedy. 

The  appetite  always  increafes  after  leaving  otf  this  cullom  of  fwilling  raw  fpirit,  unlefa  by 
too  long  a  continuance  the  tone  of  the  ilomcich  is  deftroyed. 

In  this  melacholy  ilate, 

Take    One  ounce  of  elixir  proprietatls. 
Three  drachms  of  elixir  of  vitriol. 
One  drachm  of  Minficht's  elixir  of  fteel :  mix  together. 

A  leafpoonful  of  this  mixture  in  a  fmall  wine-glafs  of  whiie-u-ine,  or  a  cup  of  carduus  or 
chamomile  tea,  eveiy  morning  and  evening  taken  fading,  is  recommended  ♦  for  the  benefit  of 
thofe  who  have  wifdom  or  refolution  enough  left  to  dcfiil  from  a  pernicious  ^AYz/i  in  thefc 
liquors,  which  cannot  be  long  perfifled  in,  without  the  greatcil  mifchief  to  health  ;  for  fuch  per- 
fons  only  it  is  meant ;  and  not  for  thofe  infatuated  wretches,  who  are  blind  to  fclf-prrfervation, 
and  wilfully  ru(b  into  their  grave.  ' 

♦  Hales. 

4  I^  2  injurious 


S7^  JAMAICA. 

injurious  to  health.  It  is  of  confequence  therefore,  to  have  fom  c 
criteria^  whereby  to  diftinguifli  any  noxious  qualities  contained  in 
water,  that  fuch  may.  be  chofen.  as  is  bcft  adapted  to  preferve 
health,  Philofophy  and  experiment  have,  inftrudted  us  ii\  the 
means  of  making  the  difcovery,  in  mod  refpeft's ;  and  likewile  have 
pointed  out  thofe  waters,  which  deferve  a  preference  before  others^ 
for  their  lightnefs  and  falubrity. 

Of  all  waters  the  atmofpherical,  or  rain  water,  is  the  moft  light 
and  fimple;  yet.  even  this  is  found  to  contain,  fome  impregnations, 
difcoverable  by  a  chemical  procefs.     Next  to  this,  is  ipring  water ;. 
which  varies  in  purity  and  goodnefs,  according  to  the  nature  of  the 
foil  through  which  it  percolates;  what  rifesamidft  a  rocky,  gravelly, 
or  chalky  Jirafum,  is  generally  moft  efteemed.     The  water  of  wells> 
if  fed  by  a  fubterraneous  current,  comes  next  in  order ;  and  improves, 
by   (landing  for  fome  time  expofed  to  the  air  before  it  is  drank. 
River    water    is    not    much    to   be  recommended,.,  unlefs   fome 
previous    cautions  are   qfed   in   depurating,    and    preparing   it  for 
ufe;    but   of  all  waters,    fuch  as    is    ftagtiant,    found    in    lakes, 
ponds,  or  ditches,   is  the  very  worft.     1  (hall    now   apply  thefe 
diftin^ioQS  more  particularly  to  Jamaica.     The  rain  water  here  is 
experienced  to  be  extremely  light,  pure,  and  wholefome,  colle<9:ed 
ki  thofe  mountainous  places  where  no  fprings  are  at  hand  ;•  pro- 
vided it  is  carried  in  clean  gutters,  into  fome  reiervoir,  or  (haded 
place,  which  is  not  expofed  to  the  fun  at  any  time,  nor  open  to 
infe4as  for  depofiting  their  eggs.     When  I  was  at  St.  John*s  Town* 
in  Antigua,  fome  years  ago,  1  obfcrved  moft  of  the  houies  were 
provided  with  cifterns,   for  receiving  the  rain  water  which  fcli  on^ 
the  roofs  ;  this  water,   from  the  multitude  of  mulkeetos  which  bred 
in  it,  the  lizards,  cockroaches,  and  other  animals,  that hadfallen in,, 
and  the  dirt  wa(hed  down  from  the  houfe  tops,    was  feculent,   and 
almoft  putrid.     Such  water,   even  boiling  can  fcarcely   accomimo^^ 
date  to  health.     The  water  of  many  of  the  rivers  in  Jamaica  is  tur- 
bid,  from  the  frequent  heavy  ftiowers  that  fall  in  the  uplands,   and 
flood  them ;  in  general  therefore,  their  water  ought  to  be  kept  for 
(bme  days,  until  the  clayey  and  other  impure  particles  are  entirely 
fubfided,   or  that  it  is  otherwife  purified*.    The  water  of  lagoons  is 

fo 


BOOK   III.   CHAP.   Vr.  S7i' 

&  fetidf  that  the  fenfes  will  fufficiently  caution  againfl  the  adniitting 
any  of  it  into  the  ftomach. 

The  moft  common  impregnations  in  die  Jamaica  waters  are, 
On  the  South  fide—  a  foflile  muriatic  fait,  terrene  particles,  and' 
particularly  lime- (lone. 

'  On  the  North  fide  —  Terrene,  argillaceous,  £lala£lite  matter,  and! 
chalk. 

There  are  likewiie,  of  the- mineral  clafs,.  fuch  as  arc  known  to  be 
impregnated  with  iron  and  fulphur ;  and  others,  that  are  fufpe£ted  io 
contain  copper,  lead,  or  allum. 

I.  Brackish,  or  Water  impregnated  with.a- Muriatic  Salt,^ 
Is  difcovered,  by  letting  fall  two  or  three  drops  of  folution  of  filver 
(in  aquafortis)  into  a  glafs  of  it ;  when,  if  there  is  ever  lb  fmall  a* 
quantity  of  that  falt„  it  will  rnnttvfxXhxh^aquaforUsi  and  caufe  ifc 
to  feparate  from  the  filver,  which  will  fall  flowly  in  the  form  of  a^ 
white  cloud  ;  and  if  the  proportion  of  the  fait  be  large,  the.  clouds 
will  have  a  curdled^ appearance,  and  a  coerulean  cadi 

2.  Tkrrene  Impregnation. 
A  few.  drops  of  oil  of  tartar  will  difcover  a  fuperabundance  of  earthy:- 
matter,,  by  caufing  it  to^  precipitate  to  the  bottom  of  the  glafs^.  in  ^ 
whiti(h  cloud  or  fediment. 

3.  Gaj-carious  and  St AL ACTIO  Matter;. 
Syrup  of  violets  dete£ts  alcaHne  as  well  as  acid  particles^;,  coras^ 
municating  to  the  water  agreenifh.tinge,  if  an  alcali,.  and  red,  if  aa.i 
acid  predominates^ 

4..  Vitriol le,  Chalybea»te,  or  IteoN,. 
The   milder   acids,  as  vinegar  and  lemon-juice,  poured  into  a 
chalybeate  water,  give  it  a  fweetiih  tiifte.     But  the  principal,  teft  oft 
the  iron  impregnation,  is  the  black  colour  it.firikesAvith  a  vegetable 
aftringcnt,  as  tinfture  of  galls ;  and  the  purple  caft  when  an  alcahne 
felt,  or  lime  water  is  added  to  the  aftringent;  and  which  is  ofir* 
deeper  hue  in  proportion  to  the  larger  mixture  of  the  alcali*     The 
galls  of  which,  the  tinfture  is  made,  for  purfuing  this  experiment^, 
fhould  be  blue,  of  the  ftrongefl  kind,  freflt  and  found. 

5;  Sulphur 
is  didinguifhed  by  the  tafle,  and  inflammability  of  the  fodiment;: 
and.  by  the  waters  flriking  a  black  colour,  with  a  few  drops  of/ 

folutioiii 


574  JAMAICA- 

{o\\xt\ow  oi  Jaccharum  faturnl  in  water;  or  folution  of  lead  in  the 
nitrous  acid ;  by  its  fudden  tarnifliing  of  filver ;  and  by  the  fetid 
fmell  refembling  a  rotten  egg,  or  fcowerings  of  a  foul  gunbarrel,  on 
dropping  in  folution  of  alcalis. 

6.  Copper. 
Tliis  is  difcovered  by  fpirit  of  fal  ammoniac,  made  with  quick- 
lime ;  which,  if  the  fmallefl:  particles  of  copper  are  prefent  in  the 
water,  caufe  it  to  aflunie  a  very  beautiful  blue  colour.  Iron  preci- 
pitates this  metal.  A  plate  of  iron  laid  in  water,  impregnated  with 
copper,   will  foon  be  covered  with  an  incruftation  of  it. 

7.  Lead 
is  no;:    a   native  impregnation  of  mineral  waters;   it  is   generally 
found  in  the  earth  united  with  fulphur  in  form  of  an  ore.     Wateis, 
impregnated  with  its  ruft  or  mineral  vapour,  ftrike  a  pink  or  red 
colour  with  aquafortis^  and  are  highly  poifonous ;  for  which  reafon, 
on  liquor  fliould  ever  be  kept  in  leaded  cifterns  or  other  veffcls,  either 
for  drink  or  preparing  food.     That  lead,   when  diflblved  by  fire,  or 
corroded  by  an  acid,   emits  poifbnous  effluvia^,    is  fufficiently  fliewn 
by   the  difeafes  incident  to  plumbers  and  painters.     But  much  lefs 
heat  than  is  required  for  melting  lead,   is  capable  of  detaching  fuch 
pernicious  effluvia.     The  heat  in  the  bowels  of  the  earth  in  this 
climate  may  be  juftly  liifpeded,  efpecially  in  Liquanea,  and  other 
parts  where  lead  ore  has  been  found  to  work  this  efFeft  ;  fo  far  at 
leaft  as  to  impregnate  any  fprings  of  water,  which  circulate  among 
this  ore.     Water  alone,  if  not  perfedlly  pure,  is  a  fufficient  agent  to 
caufe  a  folution  of  the  metallic  poifon ;  and  has  been  found  by  ex- 
perience to   imbibe  it  largely.     The  noted  colic  of  Amfterdam, 
which  for  a  long  time  eluded  the  fearch  of  phyficians  with  refpe<5t 
to  its  caufe,  took  its  rife  from  this  poifbnous  impregnation  of  the 
rain   water,  which  was  colledted  in  leaden   refervoirs,  after   firft 
lodgitig  on  flat  leaded  houfe  roofs,   upon  which  the  leaves  of  trees 
had  fallen  in  great  abundance  about  autumn.     Thefe  excited  a  fer- 
mentation, which  corroded  the  lead,  and  contaminated  the  water. 
Tronchin  relates  that  whole  families  were  fcized  with  this  dreadful 
colic :    eleven  perfons  fell  ill  with  it  at  once  in  one  houfe ;  who, 
upon  new  covering  the  roof  with  other  materials,  and  changing  their 
water,  recovered.    Dr.  Baker  fufpeds,  that  the  lead  ufed.about  the 

works 


BOOK  III.    CHAP.  VI.  S7S 

works  in  our  plantations,  where  fugar  and  rum  are  made,  is  a  principal 
caufe  of  the  Weft-India  colic,  or  belly-ache.  But  in  this  con- 
jedure  he  feems  to  be  greatly  miftaken  ;  for,  if  this  was  true,  the 
efFeds  would  always  be  certain  and  invariable;  and  thofe  only 
would  be  fubjeft  to  that  malady,  who  fwallowed  rum  and  fugar  in 
the  largeft  quantities,  which  does  not  agree  with  obfervation  or  ex- 
perience; fince  many  are  fubjefl:  to  it,  who  never  drink  any  .rum, 
and  eat  but  very  little  fugar.  The  drinkers  of  new  rum  are  the 
moft  fubjefl:  to  it,  the  reafon  of  which  I  have  endeavoured  to  ex- 
plain. Befides,  the  caufe  is  not  proportioned  to  the  fuppofed 
efFeft.  It  is  true  the  mill-bed  is  covered  with  lead  ;  but  the  metal 
fuffers  no  abrafion,  as  in  a  Devbnfliire  cyder-mill,  tp  which  the 
Dodor's  idea  perhaps  compared  it.  The  cane  liquor  docs  not  reft 
upon  it  long  enough,  or  with  preffure  enough,  to  aft  upon  the  metal  ^ 
it  falls  in  fmall  quantities,  and  keeps  on  its  progrefs,  in  a  gentle 
fmooth  current  to  the  gutter,  which  is  commonly  made  of  folid 
wood  hollowed;  and  where  one  gutter  joins  another,  the  joint  is 
fometimes  covered  for  the  fpace  of  two  or  three  inches  with  a  piece 
of  lead,  though  more  generally  with  clay.  Two  or  three  fuch 
gutters  at  moft  are  commonly  long  enough  to  reach  the  receiver  m 
the  boiling  houfe,  which  is  made  entirely  of  wood ;  and  there  the 
liquor  remains  to  fettle,  till  it  is  wanted  for  the  copper.  If  any  ill 
effeft  can  be  fuppofed  to  arife  from  this  metal  in  the  procefs^  it  can 
only  happen  from  what  is  laid  round  the  rim  of  the  coppers^ 
where  it  undergoes  a  conftant  great  heat;  and  might  poflibly  com- 
municate its  effluvia  to  the  liquor,  whenever  it  is  fufFered  to  boil  la 
high  as  to  come  in  contact  with  it.  This  the  boilers  in  fomc 
meafure  prevent,  by  beating  it  conftantly  down  with  their  (kim- 
mers ;  however  it  might  be  advifeable,  never  to  lay  the  lead  low  h\ 
the  coppers.  In  the  diftilling  houfe,  this  metal  is  never  ufed  in  any 
fhape;  and,  therefore,  the  rum  cannot  be  fufpeded  to  be  impreg-^ 
nated  with  any  of  its  effiuvidy  except  what  may  come  in  the  ikira- 
iTiings,  which  are  but  a  fmall  part  of  the  liquor  ufed  in  diftilling  rum.. 
Whether  the  (kimmings  have  any  fueh  impregnation^  is  a  fadt  very 
queftionable,  and  not  very  probable;  but  againft  a  partial  degree  of 
impregnation,  the  oleaginous  and  laxative  principles  of  fugar  appear 
to  be  a  fufficient  prefervative ;  and  hence  it  is  foundj^  that  they  wha 

5  «at 


57^  JAMAICA. 

cat  pan  fi^ar^  which  is  the  hard  cruft  formed  about  the  mouth  oF 
the  iacbdj  and  which  cannot  well  be  taken  off  without  fcraping  at 
the  fame  time  into  the  very  fubftance  .of  the  lead,  do  not  fuf^r  any 
*of  thofe  fpafmodic  iymptoms  in  their  bowels  after  eating  it,  which 
the  ruft  or  effluvia  of  this  metal  are  apt  to  caufe^  when  combined 
with  things  which  are  not  qualified  to  correct  their  natural  effe£b. 
Dn  Cremer  oblerved,  that  the  potters  at  Oilerbout  near  Breda* 
though  conftantly  employed  in  glazing  earthen  veflels,  were  rarely 
.affeded  with  any  xliforder  in  their  bowels ;  which  exemption  he 
attributes  to  the  large  quantities  of  butter  and  fat  bacon,  which  are 
cheir  ordinary  food  ;  fo  experience  has  taught  the  labourers  in  lead 
^nines,  to  fortify  their  ilomach,  and  inteftines,  with  &t  broths^  and 
iuch  like  lanftuous  aliments,  which  are  antidotes  tothispoiibn. 

The  vapour  arifmg  from  the  fmelted  ore  at  the  mines  in  Mendip 
JHills,  in  Somerfet(hire,  is  fo  poiibnous,  that  if  it  fweeps.  the  ground 
adj^ent,  it  afSbiSts  the  grafs  in  fuch  a  manner,  as  to  d^ftroy  cattle 
or  flieq)  that  browze  on  Jt*  There  is  zjligbt^  or  light  fubftance^ 
which  floats  in  the  fmoajk ;  and  this,  if  it  chances  to  mix  with  the 
neater  in  which  the  ore  is  waflied,  and  carried  away  with  the  ftream, 
is  faid  to  have  dedroyed  cattle,  that  have  drunk  of  it  after  a  current 
of  three  miks^ 

The  diforders  to  which  the  workmen  are  fubjed,  are  pains  in  the 
ilomacb,  violent  contor(ions  of  the  bowels,  obftinate  coftivenefs, 
afthmas,  and  ihortrYcfs  of  breath,  vertigos,  paralytic  afieflions, 
lofs  of  appetite^  ficknefs,  and  frequent  vomitings. 

The  foil  about  thefe  mines  is  red  and  ftoney ;  and  the  Aones 
waihed  by  the  brooks  and  fprings,  are  of  a  reddiOi  cafl  and  very 
ponderous :  I  cannot  precifely  anfwer,  whether  the  foil  about  the 
Liquanea  lead  mines  has  a  conformity  in  this  rcfped.  It  feems, 
from  the  foregoing  account,  that  a  ftrong  degree  of  heat  is  required 
to  difengage  this  pernicious  fume ;  the  fubterraneous  heat  is  fufficient 
for  fuch  an  effect  in  fome  places,  where  there  zxtjbrata  of  particles 
qualified  to  produce  it  by  their  fermentative  adion.  No  doubt  too, 
but  ftones  containing  this  mineral,  if  lying  upon  and  very  near  the 
fur^ice  expofed  to  a  Tropical  fun,  may  caufe  this  poifonous  vapour  to 
he  emitted  or  perfpired  in  fome  degree ;  and,  mixing  with  the  air, 
may  render  it  unwholefome ;  but  we  have  no  certain  proof,  that 

2  any 


BOOK    III.      GHAP.    VI.  577 

any  fuch  efieft  happens  about  the  lead  niines  of  Ljguanea.  This 
merits  a  further  inveftigation ;  and  likewife  the  fprings,  or  ftreams^ 
which  pafs  among  them,  ought  to  be  carefully  examined.  It  ap- 
peared, from  Mr.  Mufchenbrock's  experiment,  that  lead  is  the 
fooneft  rarefied  of  all  metals ;  its  expanfiQn  with  the  fingle  flame  of 
a  lamp  being  (compared  with  iron)  as  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  to 
eighty:  which  is  nearly  double;  fo  that  its  parts  are  evidently  li- 
able to  be  afFefted  by  a  very  fmall  portion  of  heat.  And  we  find, 
that  milled  lead,  whenexpofed  to  the  a^ionof  the  fun  in  Jamaica, 
by  being  improperly  made  uf^  of,  inftead  of  (heet-lead,  for  co* 
Vering  gutters  and  valleys  on  the  roofs  of  buildings,  very  foou 
bUfters,  cracks,  and  becomes  leaky*. 

8.  Allum.  . 

Waters  which  contain  it  difcover  them^felves,  on  evaporation,  by 
their  auftere,  aftringent  tafte.  They  change  vegetable  blues  (a$ 
iyrup  of  violets  frefli-mac^e)  to,  a  red  colour ;  but,  if  the  fyrup  is 
pld,  to  9  green.  An  .addition  of  lime-water  deepens  tlie  green* 
They  alfo .  cjoagulate  milk.  Rricks  harden  the  fofteft  water,  and 
give  it  an  alluminous  impregnafion.  The  practice  therefore  of 
lining  wells  with  brick  is  fuppofed  improper. 

But,  on  the  other  hand,  about  a  quarter  of  an  ounce  of  allum^ 
powdered,  and  thrown  to  every  fix  or  feven  gallons  of  turbid, 
muddy  water,  will,  in  about  an  hour  or  two,  render  it  perfe^ly  pure 
and  tranfparent.  Nor  does  any  inconvenience  refult  from  the  allqm* 
It  is  not  only  an  excellent,  purifier  of  fuch  water,  but  is  thought, 
in  hot  climates,  to  cool  the  body,  and  brace  up  its  relaxed  fibres. 

There  are  other  methods  likewife  recommended  for  purifying 
water.  In  Jamaica,  the  people  of  Spanilh  Town  keep  their  river- 
water  in  feveral  large  jars,  where  it  fettles  and  depofites  a  iedimeot 
in  about  twenty-four  or  thirty -four  hours.  Sqme  families  have 
three,  or  more ;  which,  being  taken  in  turn,  well  cleanfed,  and 
replcniflied  regularly,  fupply  them  with  a  very  pure  and  light 
water  inferior  to  none. 

Very  foul  water  may  be   purified  by  letting  it  percolate  through 

fand  flowed  in   half- puncheons,    or  tubs  made  on  purpofe ;  with 

fmall  holes  two  or  three  inches  above  their  lower  end,  guarded 

with  a  pi^ce  of  hair-jclotb,  doubled  on  the  infide,  to  prevent  any 

Vol.  II.  4E  of 


5^8  JAMAICA. 

of  the  fand  from  dripping  out  with  the  water,  which  may  be  cot- 
lefted  in  a  receiver  placed  underneath.  The  fand  ufed  for  this 
purpofe  (hould  be  (hifted  now  and  then,  perfcftly  clear  from  dirt, 
and  frc^  from  all  mixture  of  fea-fand.  Several  of  thcfe  fand-* 
flrainers  might  be  provided  where  a  large  fiipply  is  required.  And 
thus  any  perfon  may  have  no  bad  fubftitute,  where  di  natural  fpring 
is  not  to  be  met  with.  Brackifli  water  might  be  very  miSch  dc- 
purated,  if  not  wholly  corrected,  by  this  method  r  but,  (hould  this 
fail,  a  very  pure  element  may  be  obtained  with  a  common  ftill^ 
even  from  fea  water;  and,  for  this  procefs,  Dr.  Hales  advifcs 
powdered  chalk,  in  the  proportion  of  half  an  oimce  to  a  gallon  of 
water,  to  be  from  time  to  time  pat  m  at  a  hole  in  the  upper  part 
of  the  ftill,  below  the  head,  to  prevent  the  rifing  of  the  fpirit  of 
the  bittern,  which  would  caufe  a  difagreeable  tafte;  this  hole  to 
)be  immediately  clofed^  to  prevent  any  abatement  of  the  quantity 
diftilled.  The  fame  ingenious  gentleman  invented  the  tin  air-box, 
full  of  holes  ;  by  blowing  through  which,  with  a  pair  of  common' 
bellows,  the  moft  ftinking  water  may  be  fweetened;  the  ireA 
ftreams  of  air  thus  thrown  in,  and  difperfed  throughout  the  ven- 
tilated water,  caufing  the  putrid  vapour  to  afccnd,  and  efcape  from 
it:  and,  by  this  method,  a  whole  butt  of  ftinking  water  has  been 
corrected  in  the  fpace  of  an  hour.  Nothing  is  more  likely  to  difpofe 
the  body  for  the  reception  of  diforders,  than  water  filled  with  putrid 
particles.  It  is  worth  the  experiment,  whether  even  lagoon  water 
may  not  be  rendered  potable,  after  being  firft  well  ftrained,  by 
tranfmitting  (howers  of  frefli  air  through  it.  The  feilors,  belong- 
ing to  the  merchant-fhips  which  load  at  this  ifland,  will  very  fre- 
quently^ out  of  meer  lazinefs  or  ignorance,  fill  their  calks  with 
brackifh  water,  taken  up  at  the  mouth  of  a  river,  or  even  with 
lagoon  water  ;  rather  than  be  at  the  pains  to  procure  what  is  fweet 
and  whotefome*  There  is  fcarcely  a  harbour  in  the  ifland,  indeed 
I  do  not  know  of  above  one,  where  a  fupply  may  not  be  had  of 
good  water.  This  carelefs  pradlice,  and  the  want  of  cleanfing 
their  calks  before  they  are  filled,  may  probably  have  often  bred 
fluxes  and  other  diforders  among  the  crews  of  thefe  fhips; 

The  lagoon  water,  being  the  con  ft  ant  feminary  for  mulkeetos^ 
is  loaded  with  the  eggs  and  dead  bodies  of  thefe  infe^Sls.     It  fwarms, 

^  •  befides^ 


BOOK    III.       CHAP.    VI.  579 

bcfides,  with  numbers  of  other  an}malcula\  and  is  further- cor-- 
rupted  with  (linking  aqUatic  plants  and  filthy  ooze[r].  It  is 
difficult  to  exclude  mulkeetos  from  water  refervcd  for  ufe, .  with- 
out keeping  the  mouth  of  the  jar  covered  with  a  piece  of  ofnabrig, 
or  other  cloth,  which  may  hinder  them  from  penetrating,  at  the 
fame  time  not  wholly  excluding  the  admiflion  of  frclh  air.  They 
depofite  their  eggs  in  river-water,  and  in  cifteras.  I  have  even 
known  them  hatch  in  lime-water :  but,  when  the  eggs  are  hatched, 
the  young  ones  are  very  confpicuous  to  the  eye,  and  appear  like 
little  tad-poles.  Whenever  the  water  is  fufpefted  to  contain  them,, 
it  is  carefully  ftrained,  for  drinking,  through  a  clean  linen  cloth 
three  or  four  times  doubled.  The  Spaniards  generally  made  ufe 
of  percolating  (tones ;  and,  indeed,  many  perfons  now  ufe  them, 
in  Jamaica.  They  tranfmit  an  exceeding  pure,  and  very  cool 
water ;  but  the  procefs  is  rather  tedious,  where  a  large  quantity  is 
every  day  wanted.  Moft  people  here  put  out  of  doors,  in  a  (haded 
place  (the  more  open  to  the  wind,  the  better),  feveral  fmail  un- 
glazed  jars,  with  water ;  which  is  always  cooleft  in  thofe  whofc 
texture  is  fo  loofe  as  to  admit  part  of  the  water  tp  penetrate  through, 
and  appear  in  a  conftant  moifture  on  their  outfide ;  the  evaporation, 
no  doubt,  contributing  greatly  to  the  coolnefs  of  the  fluid  within, 
by  carrying  off  the  heated,  rarefied  particles  inceflantly. 

Cool  water  may  juftly  be  regarded  in  this  climate  as  medicinal, 
and  neceflary  either  to  preferve  health  or  reftore  it.  Many  perfons, 
afflifted  with  putrid  fevers,  have  even  recovered  by  no  other  re- 
medy ;  and,  in  thefe  difordcrs,  it  is  remarkable  with  what  ea- 
gernefs  and  pleafure  the  patient  will  drink  cold  water  in  preference 
to  fubacid  liquors,  or  any  other.  The  natives  drink  it  almoft  uni- 
verfally.  Sir  Hans  Sloane  mentions  it  as  the  cuftom,  when  he  was 
here,  to  take  a  glafs  of  it  every  morning  at  getting  out  of  bed ; 
and  he  judges  it  extremely  conducive  to  health,  as  it  not  only  may* 
cool  the  inflamed  blood,  creating  a  rheumatifm  (very  often  taken 
for,  and  almoft  always  joined  with,  the  belly-ach),  biit  it  may 
alfo  clear  the  bowels  of  fome  four  or  fliarp  matter,  which  may' 
happen  to  lodge  in  their  cells.     He  therefore  cfteems  good  water  to 

[r]  A  dead  lizard  being  put  into  a  tub  of  frelh  rain-water,  the  water  became  pfitrid  m.  abou^ 
twelve  hours, 

4E   2  be 


5«o  JAMAICA. 

be  the  moft  wholefome  drink  of  any  ;  obferving^  very  juftly,  that 
fpiritSy  whie,  beer,  ale^  cyder^  and  all  other  vinous  and  fermented 
liquors,  inflame  the  blood,  and  load  the  ftonaach  with  phlegm^ 
cauiing  hiccoughs  with  their  (harpnefsi  and  diibrdering  the  head* 
It  mud  be  underilood,  however,  that,  when  water  is  ufed  as  the 
only  beverage  in  a  hot  climate,  it  ought  to  be  as  pure  as  poflible ; 
and  that  acefcent  fubftances,  fuch  as  vegetables,  (hould  make  a 
conflant  part  of  the  water-drinker's  food,  in  order  to  avoid  that 
putrefcency  of  the  bodily  humours  which  a  total  water  and  flefh 
diet,  without  the  corredion  of  vinous  acids,  or  the  antifeptic  air 
of  vegetables,  would  probably  generate.  We  find,  accordingly, 
that  although  the  natives  in  this  climate  feldom  drink  any  other 
liquor,  except  cool,  pure  water ;  yet  they  make  their  principal 
daily  meal  confift  chiefly  of  vegetables  in  their  pepper-pots;  eat 
plantains,  yams,  and  cocos,  inflead  of  bread;  ai>d  are  fond  of 
fallads,  fruits,  and  fugared  preparations. 

The  great  axiom  of  health  among  the  natives  of  the  Weft-Indies 
(as  Rouppe  well  obferves)  is,  "  to  keep  the  body  open,  to  drink 
**  water,  and  not  to  indulge  in  exceffive  venery.'*  But  I  muft  re- 
mark, that,  of  thefe  three  cautions,  the  lad  is  the  leaft  attended  to. 

SECT.    VII. 

HAVING  now  confidered  the  beft  means  of  preferving  health 
in  this  climate  under  the  feveral  general  heads  propofed,  it  may 
l)e  neceflary,  perhaps,  that  1  fliould  make  (bme  apology  for  having 
trefpaffed  thus  far  upon  the  province  of  phyficians.  Some,  who 
obferve  that  1  have  founded  the  rules  prefcribed  on  the  opinions  of 
many  among  the  ableft  of  the  faculty,  will  acknowledge  the  weight 
of  authority  from  wheace  they  come  recommended.  Others  will^ 
at  leaft,  have  the  candour  to  allow,  that  any  inaccuracy,  or  error,, 
betrayed  in  the  aborting  of  them,  may  be  pardoned,  for  the  fake  of 
their  utility,  and  the  objedk  in  view,  which  is  no  other  than  that 
of  promoting  the  health  and  happinefs  of  this  colony.  For  the 
reft,  I  (hall  gratefully  be  one  of  the  foremoft  in  offering  my  thanks 
and  applaufes  to  any  gentleman  of  the  faculty  refident  here,  who 
ihall  bend  his  thoughts  to  this  important  fubjedt,  and  give  the 
public  a  more  elaborate  and  ufeful  detail  of  the  means  whereby  the 
5  difordcrs. 


_dW 


BOOK    HI.      CHAP.     VI.  581 

diibrders,  incident  to  the  climate,  mHy  beft  be  prevented,  or  re- 
medied. For  what  can  be  a  more  |)raife-worthy  tafk,  than  the 
God-like  difpenfation  of  health  to  the  iick,  life  to  the  dying,  relief 
to  the  miferable  ?  It  is  not  a  little  extraordinary,  that,  among  all 
the  gentlemen  eminent  and  learned  in  the  medical  prqfelfion, 
who  have  praftifed  in  this  iiland,  not  one  of  them  ihould  have 
publilhed  his  fentiments  on  its  *  difeafes,  and  the  remedies  found 
moft  efficacious  in  the  cure  of  them,  at  Icaft  not  within  thefe 
fixty  or  feventy  years  paft.  The  only  treatife,  I  ever  faw,  was 
compofed  by  Dr.  Trapham,  who  refided  here  long  ago.  Dn 
Patrick  Brown,  who  printed  a  natural  hiftory  of  the  ifland  in  the 
year  1756,  gave  his  fubfcribers  aflUranee  of  a  fecond  volume, 
which  was  to  contain  diflertations  upon  climates,  atmofpheres, 
and  difeafes,  the  yellow  and  remittent  fevers,  and  worm-diforders ; 
with  a  particular  application  of  thefe  fubjefts  to  Jamaica :  but  this 
gentleman  has  not  hitherto  thought  proper  to  comply  with  his^ 
engagement.  Is  it  becaufe  feveral  celebrated  phyficians,  as  Hillary, 
Biflet,  Lind,  and  others,  have  publiflied  their  opinions  already^ 
that  our  Jamaica  profeflbrs  of  the  healing  art  have,  through  mo- 
defiy,  been  filent  ?  If  it  be  a  modeft  reluctance,  we  may  defervedly 
call  it  2LpuJof  malttSj  a  blameable  diffidence,  which  brings  fome  re-* 
proach  on  their  underftanding,  if  not  on  their  humanity;  for. 

Scire  iuwn  nihil  ejij  ntji  tefcire  hoc  Jeiat  alter ^ 
And  although  thefe  learned  precurfors  mentioned  may  have  han* 
died  the  fubjeft  with  much  flcill  and  accuracy  ;  yet  it  cannot  be 
denied  but  much  ftill  remains  to  be  faid :  for  the  fcience  af  phyfic,. 
like  other  human  ftudies,  is  far  too  complex  in  its  nature,  and  ad- 
mits too  comprehenfive  a  variety  of  obfervation  and  experience,  to 
derive  more  than  a  partial,  progreffive  improvement  from  the  prac- 
tice of  many  phyficians,  even  applying  their  thoughts  to  it  incef^ 
fantly  during  their  lives.  After  a  feries  of  ages,  it  is  perceived  ftill 
very  ihort  of  perfedion  J  but  it  maybe  gradually  brought  nearer 
and  nearer  to  that  ftate,  by  the  concurrent  obfervation,  praftice,  and 
experiment,  of  a  multitude  of  intelligent  men,  rather  than  of  two 
or  three.  Befides,  although  the  genera  of  the  difeafes,  mpft  mortal 
in  the  Weft-Indies,  may  perhaps  be  well  defined  and  diftinguiflied  ^ 
yet>  in  the  extenfive  range  of  atmofpheres,  and  countries  compre- 

hendeci 


582  JAMAICA, 

hended  within  that  part  of  tlie  globe,  there  muft  neceffarily  happen 
a  diverfity  in  the  fpecies,  a  deviation  of  fymptoms,  and  a  conie- 
quential  obligation  to  treat  them  differently,  according  to  the  va- 
rious leafons  and  fituations. 

Thus,  for  example,  the  putrid  fevers  of  the  Weft-Indies  may  ap- 
pear with  <;lifFerent  fymptoms  at  Jamaica,  than  have  been  obferved 
at  Barbadoes,  at  Tobago,  at  Surinam,  at  Porto  Bello,  or  the  Ha- 
vannah.  It  may  be  requifite,  according  to  the  feafon  of  the  year, 
to  vary  the  precautions  in  avoiding,  as  well  as  the  precepts  for  re- 
moving, them.  In  the  Northernmoft  parts  of  the  Torrid  Zone, 
thefe  and  other  difeafee  may  differ  from,  and  call  for  a  mode  of 
treatment  materially  altered  from  what  might  be  abfolutely  proper 
in,  fituations  under  or  very  near  to  the  Equator.  That  fuch  a  pub- 
lication is  much  wanted  is,  in  no  rcfpeft,  more  confpicuous  than  in 
the  ill  fucccfs  (too  often  the  child  of  ignorance)  which,  to  the  de« 
ftrudlion  of  many  inhabitants  ievery  year,  l^as  accompanied  the 
practice  of  fome  homicides  in  this  country. 

If  every  phyfician  here,  of  good  education  and  ability,  was  to 
publilh  the  fruits  of  his  knowledge  and  practice,  his  work  would 
fall  into  many  hands,  and  prevent  much  i>f  the  mifchief  likely  to 
happeu  from  thofe,  who^  wanting  fuch  a  guide,  are  continually  in 
error.  But,  inftead  of  this,  we  obfervc  with  regret,  that,  when 
an  experienced  gentleman  of  the  faculty  has  died  here,  or  removed 
from  the  ifland,  his  trealure  of  experimental  knowledge  has  been 
buried  with  hiw,  or  pafled  away  to  another  country,  where,  from 
difference  of  climate,  it  becomes  ufelefs. 

If  to  refcue  one  man  only  from  impending  death  can  yield  un- 
speakable plea fu re  to  a  benevolent  heart ;  how  infinitely  fuperior 
muft  be  his  fatisfaftion,  who,  whilft  he  communicates  the  means 
by  which  thoufands,  perhaps,  of  his  fellow-creatures  may  be  faved 
ftom  extremity  of  torture  and  diftrefs,  reflefts  a  moment,  that,  by 
fo  doing,  he  builds  a  monument  that  will  tranfmit  his  name  with 
eulogy  to  future  generations !  that  the  happy  refult  of  his  Ikill  does 
^lot  periOi  with  him!  but  that,  after  his  body  ceafes  from  cxiftence, 
Jbe  may  continue  ftill  the  authox  of  health,  life,  and  eafe,  to  lateft 
pofljerity ! 

To 


BOOK    III.      CHAP.    VI.  583 

To  lay  the  foundation  of  unceafing  benefit  to  mankind  in  this 
way,  is  a  work  of  the  nobleft  ambition  that  can  infpire  the  human 
mind.  How  applauded  is  the  patriotifm  and  benevolence  of  thofe 
princes,  who  iiave  ere<5ted  bridges,  formed  roads,  cut  navigable 
canals,  made  (ecuie  harbours,  and  executed  other  plans  of  great 
pubh'c  utility!  They  are  defervedly  ftyled  the  fathers  and  friends 
of  their  country.  Nor  lefs  fo  the  phyfician ;  who  is  really  a  father 
to  thofe  who  enjoy  their  life  through  his  means. 

Opifer  per  orbem  dicor  was  thought  an  epithet  the  moft  honour- 
able of  any  to  be  conferred  on  the  fabulous  god  of  phyfic ;.  and  not 
undefervedly ;  for,  if  there  is  a  being  upon  earth  to  whom  divine 
honours  could,  without  impropriety,  be  offered,  it  is  a  learned,,  vir- 
tuous, and  comm^unicative  phyfician^. 

To  defcribe  the  ftate  of  phyfick  in  this  ifland,  would  be  an  invi- 
dious taflu  It  ks  happily  fbpplied  with  feveral  men  of  great  abi*- 
lity.  But,  as  every  plantation  requires  what  is  called  a  doSfbr^  it  is 
needlefs  to  ©bfcrve,  that  there  are  too  many  pretenders  to  the 
fcience,  as  in  other  countries,  the  pradice  not  being  as  yet  put 
under  any  regulation  by  law.  It  may  be  fome  amufcment  to  my 
reader  to  be  prefented  with  the  hiftory  of  a  Jamaica  quack ;  not 
that  he  is  ta  regard  it  as  an  epitome  of  all  the  pr^ftitioners*  ^i 
capita  Ulefacit.  To  a  few  it  may  be  applicable ;  buty  for  the  credit 
of  human  nature,  I  declare  it  is  not  applicable  to  any  confiderable 
number*^  Mr.  Apozenty  the  hero  of  my  narrative,  vv^s  the  fon  of  a. 
houfe-carpenter  in  Londoii*  At  the  age  of  twelve,  he  was  put  to 
a  grammar- fchool;  and,  at  fifteen,  removed  from  thence,  and  ap- 
prenticed to  an  apothecary,,  of  mean  circumftances,  and  very  little 
bufinefs ;.  but  he  was  an  old  acquaintance  of  the  father,  and  a 
member  of  a  weekly  porter-cUib,  where,  they  had  regularly  liiet 
each  other  for  twenty  year^,,  and  contradled  a  ftri6t  friendfliip. 
During  the  firft  three  years  of  apprenticeftiip,  Mr.  Apozem  had 
no  other  employment  except  to  fcrape  zwAfwetp  out  the  (hop  every 
morning,  clean.hls  majler' s  poet^  and.g-^?  on  errands  %  and,  when  he 
had  juft  attained  his  nineteenth  year,  his  mafter  unfortunately 
dying  by  one  of  his  own  naufeous  compofitions,  inadvertently 
fwallowed,  he  returned  to  his  father's  houfe,  where  he  continued* 
perfedUy  idle  for  about  a  twelvemonth  5  when  an  opportunity  of- 
fered! 


584  JAMAICA. 

fered  of  getting  him  provided  for,  that  he  might  mo  longer  lie  a 
burthen  on  his  father's  hands,  who  was  extremely  poor,  and  had  a 
numerous  family  to  maintain.     This  was  effected  through  the  good 
office  of  another  member  of  the  club  (which  (hews  the  utility  of 
fuch  inftitutions) ;  who,  on  being  appointed  captain  to  a  Guincy 
trader,  readily  offered   to  take  Apozem  with  him,  in  quality  of 
furgeon.     This  being  chearfully  aflented  to,  the  young  dodlor  was 
properly  equipped  for  the  occafion,  and  fooa  after  entered  ou  the 
I  voyage.     They  took  in  three  hundred  flaves,  and  (ailed  from  the 
coaft,  bound  to  the  Jamaica  market.     The  firft  great  exploit,  per* 
formed  by  Mr.  Apozem,  was  in  diminifhing  the  number  of  mouths 
b\\  board ;  and  fo  efFe<Stually  did  he  exerci(e  his  (kill,  that,  by  the 
time  they  had  reached  their  deftined  port,  he  regiftered  no  lefs  than 
eighty  Blacks,  and  nine  white  feamen,  on  his  dead  liil.     This  won- 
derful difpatch  made  the  captain  extremely  anxious  to  look  out  for 
fomething  on  fhore  more  proportioned  to  his  great  abilities;  for  he 
wifely  apprehended,  that  a  longer  continuance  on  board  might  pro«- 
bably  leave  the  (hip  without  hands  to  navigate  her.     He  therefore 
gained  the  intereft  of  the   merchant  to  whom  he  was  condgned. 
The  merchant  had  a  proper  regard  for  the  (hi)>owners,  and  (boa 
found  means  to  engage  Mr.  Apozem  in  the  fervic.e  of  an  honeft 
planter  who  dealt  with  him;  and  who,  conceiving  the  highcft  opi** 
nion  of  Mr.  Apozem's  (kill  and  knowledge,  from  the  many  enco<» 
miums  that  were  lavi(hly  given  both  by  the  captain  and  merchant, 
ftipulatcd  fo  handfome  a  falary,  that  Apozem  quitted  the  fea  with* 
out  the  fmalle(t  hefitation. 

Mr.  Apozem,  foon  after  his  entering  upon  this  new  fcene  of 
bufinefs,  difdained  to  confine  his  carnage  merely  to  the  family  with 
whom  he  refided.  The  firfl  ftep  he  took,  after  looking  about  him 
a  little,  was  to  extend  his  pradlice,  as  much  as  he  could,  among 
other  families  and  plantations ;  fome  of  which  were  not  lefs  than 
thirty  miles  diftant  from  his  employer's  habitation:  fo  that,  in 
about  (ix  or  eight  months,  he  was  continually  upon  the  high^trot, 
riding  poft,  and  (preading  depopulation  far  and  wide.  His  prin- 
cipal inftruments  of  death  were  mercury  and  opium^cvtv  miftakeuly 
applied,  and  injudicioufly  Combined.  Liquid  laudanum  was  his 
ready  help  in  time  of  need,  and  (lood  his  ignorance  in  great  ftead* 

Whenever 


BOOK    III.      CHAP,      VI.  585 

Whenever  at  a  lois  to  find  out  the  caufe,  or  nature,  of  a  diftemper 
(which  generally  was  the  cafe),  a  dofe  of  laudanum  was  the  firft 
piece  of  artillery  he  brought  into  the  field,  to  begin  the  attack.  If 
the  fymptoms  ftill  left  him  doubtful,  repetatur  dofus  I  laudanum 
again,  titYitr  per  fe^  or  jumbled  with  a  new  mixture,  to  raife  the 
credit  of  his  ikiil,  and  prevent  deteftion.  Thus  the  fiege  went 
hriflcly  on,  with  laudanum,  to  the  end  of  the  campaign,  until  the 
patient's  life,  or  conftitution  at  leaft,  was  fairly  Tapped,  and  com-- 
pelled  to  furrender  at  difcretion.  As  opium  was  his  grand  fpecific 
for  all  hyflerical  and  nervous  ailments,  as  well  as  others  where  the 
iymptoms  puzzled  the  dolor's  imagination ;  fb  mercury  was  lugged 
hi  l^  the  head  and  fhoulders,  to  fave  his  credit,  in  all  cafes  of  cu* 
ticular  eruptions,  belly-achs,  and  topical  inflammaitions.  If  mer- 
cury failed,  after  a  bill  of  one  or  two  hundred  pifloles,  **  The  de- 
*«  viFs  in  this  obftinate  difeafe !"  cried  Apozem  ;  "  it  is  not,  furc, 
*«  in  the  power  of  phyfic  to  conquer  it !  There's  no  remedy  left, 
«•  Sir,  but  to  flee  to  Bath,  or  change  the  climate !"  This  was  the 
lafl  refburce  of  his  art;  for  he  reafbned  thus :  <<  I  fliould  be  a  con* 
^<  fummate  blockhead,  indeed,  to  put  the  finifhing  flroke  to  this 
*«  bufinefs,  and  fb  blow  myfelf  up  at  once.  No !  let  my  patient 
^^  periih  at  Bath,  or  on  the  road  thither  !  or  fail  for  Britain,  and  di« 
'<*  in  his  hammock!  If  death  fhould  lay  hold  of  him,  after  he  is 
^  difcharged  out  of  my  hands,  thou  canji  not  Jay  I  did  ///''  Thus 
argued  Mr.  Apozem ;  and  thus  did  he  extricate  himfelf  from  many 
a  troubleibme  fcrape.  It  was  a  great  misfortune  to  the  public,  that 
his  father  had  not  kcjJt  him.  long  enough  at  fchool  to  acquire  a 
fmattering  of  Latin :  it  was,  indeed,  no  lefs  inconvenient  to  him- 
felf, and  multiplied  his  difficulties  on  many  occafions.  But  true 
genius  leaps  over  every  (tumbling- block  ;  and,  what  he  could  not 
conflrue  with  the  help  of  Cole's  duftionary,  he  always  guefled  at 
as  well  as  he  was  able.  No  man,  furely,  could  have  done  more: 
It  is  needlefs  to  fay,  that  he  never  boafted  his  (kill  in  decyphering 
a ' common  formula^  or  Latin  prefcription.  -He  condemned  thci 
folly  of  writing  receipts  for  health  in  an  unknown  tongue ;  and  oiyc 
might  as  well  have  fent  him  an  infeription  takeii  from  one  of  the 
ruins  ^  at  Palmyra.  After  puzzling  hisbrain  for  half 'an  hour  in 
?a(in,  to  diicover  the  meaning,  he  ufually  tioixi^d  up  ibme  li^rrid 
Vol.  IL  4  F  hotchpot 


^  JAMAICA. 

kotcf^ot  of  his  oyvninymtion^  m  order  to  comply  w&h  wlgar  pre- 
|udicQ^  and  Idava  no4  r€k)ixi^  to  fufpedt  that  he  hatA  oot  compleated  a 
grammatical  and  claffical  eduoatioiik  li  was  enough  &r  htiDt  if 
he  could  iMiit  lucklfy  d&plakl  the  kil  words  of  ^  prefcription^  to 
diftinguifli  z^Jmt  bolus^  from  a^  ^t  bau/ka.  Under  the  aufpices  of 
theiequalificatioQ&».  the  followii:^e(capeof  apatienfi  may  be  con« 
iidered  38  almoft  mifaciilous.  A  certain,  gentleman  was  troubled 
with  tn  eruption  on  his  ikin;  and^.  having  a  {mattering  of  medical 
knowledge*  he  took  upon  him  to  be  his  own  phyfician^  wrote  a 
Latin  prefcription  for  a.  liniment^  ia  which  futph.  vivum  was  the 
princit)al  ingredient;;  and  diTpatched  k  to  be  made  up  by  Mr« 
Apozem*.  Our  hem  pored  over  it  for  fome  time  with  great  at- 
tention; and,  concluding  at  length  that  fulpb.  vixmm  uiA  orgenL 
«itwi»  were  coulm^germans,  compounded  a  mercufial  ointntM^t; 
with  whidl  the^  patient  unthinkingly^  befmeamd  himielf  from  head 
to  fool:,  but),  in  z  fliort  time,,  he  became  convinoed  of  his  errors 
the  eruptimi  ftruckiA;  he  gave  himfelf  up«for  a.  dead  man;  and^ 
indeed,  did  not  come  off  without  a  violent  $t  of  illnefs,  which  hai 
nearly  coft  him  his  life«  I  cannot,  without  horrt)r,  ttSeSt  on  the 
multitudes  who  have  quietly  de(cended  into  their  grave,  leaning  the 
frauds  iippofed  upon  tl:^m  undetected.  It  was  always:  a  maxim  widi 
Mr.  Apozem,  «^  that  the  dead  tell:  no  tales.''-**^*^  My  reputation,** 
(thought  he),  <^  is  fafe,  undes  the  authority  of  a  diflemper  which 
**  is  often  known  to  be  morcaL  But,  if  that  won't  ferve  my  tam, 
^  rU  fay  the  patient  was^/iy,  and  determined  not  to  live;  or 
^  that  he  was  Jaint^bearUd  ^  or.  had  a  had  h^t  of  body  $  or  bad 
^*  lived  too  free  in  bis  youth  ;  or  wanted  a  Jlamen ;  or  that  fame^ 
♦*  thing  broke  within  him ;  or— any  other  reafon  why,**  Under 
iuch  prudent  fg^i  did  Mr^  Aposem,.  <<  not  having  the  fear  of 
^^  God  before  his  eyes,  but  moved  and  feduced  by  the  inftigatton  of 
«( the  Devil,**  go  on  to  ravage  and  deft  ray  the  human  fpecie^ 
with  as  little  remorie  and  fhame  as  Alexander  the  Great,  or  the 
greateft  flaughterers  of  ant^uity•  His  utmoft  dread  was  the  de« 
dine  of  fuch  bloody  bufinefs;  his  principal  wifli,  the  quick  iale 
and  confumption  of  his  drags,  which,  were  rctten  or  fbphifticated  i 
though,  bad  as  they  were,  he  generally  made  a  profit  of  one  thoii^ 
6nd  /f r  cfHtn  upoQ  them  in  ti^  retail  yray «   The  fale  of  thefe  poiibfts 

formed 


BOOK    IIL     CHAP.     VL  5%^ 

iGiroied  the  tnoft  gamful  part  of  his  buHnefs  i  though  he  was,  oc>- 
caiionally,  a  phyficiaa«  apothecary,  furgeon,  man-midwife,  dentift, 
phlebotomift,  farrrcr,  &c  He  profefied  every  branch,  knew  as 
much  of  one  as  of  another^  underftood  none :  and,  thus  accoutred, 
lie  was  ready  at  ail  calls,  and  engaged  in  the  cure  of  diftempers, 
whofe  names  he  had  never  heard  before*  He  had  a  happy  manner 
of  difcufling  the  rationale  of  any  difeafe,  of  which  I  (hall  give  a 
fpecimen  that  does  him  honour.  He  was  fitting  one  day  by  the 
bed -fide  of  his  patient,  whom  the  hero  had  over-dofed  with  a  por- 
gative,  which  cauied  fifteen  evacuations  in  a  few  hours ;  and,  the 
irritation  ftill  continuing,  the  very  mucus  of  his  bowels  came  away* 
The  patient,  alarmed  at  this  appearance,  languid  and  almofl  ipent, 
having  taken  no  fuftenance  all  the  day,  for  want  of  fome  refpite 
from  his  agony,  requefted  the  dodor  to  inform  him  of  the  caufe 
of  the  laft  mucilaginous  difcharge.  *«  Oh,**  quoth  Apozem,  with 
an  air  of  moft  fblemn  fagacity,  '^  it  is  nothing  more  than  the  fuper« 
««  fluous  juices  of  the  blood,  Sir,  which  are  following  the  operation 
<<of  the  bolus f  Sir;  *tis  a  fure  diagnoflic  that  the  medicine  has 
«^  worked  critically,  and  that  the  morbid  acrimony  of  the  prima 
«  via  is  depurated  firom  the  abdominal  emunflories/*  Mr.  Apo2em 
continued  in  this  ftrain  till  he  had  talked  his  patient  faft  afleep  by 
dint  of  hard  words ;  in  which  comfortable  ftate  he  foftly  left  him, 
to  recruit  his  wafted  fpirits. 

Mr.  Apozem  was  a  profefied  enemy  to  regular  phyficians,  be« 
cauie  none,  who  valued  their  good  name  and  reputation,  would  be 
concerned  with  him ;  for  they  never  could  have  the  fatisfaftory 
aflurance,  that  a  fingle  ingredient  of  their  prefcriptions  would  ever 
enter  into  Mr.  Apozem*s  manufa£lures.  It  was  impofiible  they 
could  meet  with  fuccefs;  for,  when  they  prefcribed  one  thing, 
Apozem  was  fiire  to  compound  and  adminifter  fomething  very  dif« 
ferent :  fo  that,  in  defpight  of  all  their  learning  and  afiiduity,  the 
patient  was  morally  furc  of  dying.  When  the  manner  of  the 
death  came  to  be  the  fubjed:  of  convcrfatron,  Apozem  laid  it,  wkh 
a  fhrug  of  his  fhoulders,  at  the  phyfician*s  door :  ^*  the  poor  man 
<«  died  regularly!^  After  a  few  fuch  examples,  the  prefcriber  loft 
his  bufinefs;  and  Apozem  was  fent  for  in  his  ftead.  I  have  often 
thought,  that,  confidering  the  defolation  which  Apozem  fpread 

4  F  2  through 


588  J    A    M    A     I    G    A. 

through. the  country,  and  the  many  hundred  vidims  which  he  facii- 
ficed  every  year,  there  arifes  a  very  ftrong  evidence  of  the  falubrity  of 
the  climate,  which  of  itfelf  is  pregnant  with  but  few  endemlal  difeaies  ; 
and  thefe  are  pretty  well  underftood  by  phyfic^ns  of  any  tolerable 
education  and  experience;  fo  that,  had  it  not  been  for  the  adivity  of 
Mr.  Apozem,  the  proportion  of  fuch  as  might  have  owed  their  ^it 
feirly  and  truly  to  the  climate,  during  the  time  he  flouriflied  here,- 
would  have  been  too  infignificant  to  caufe  the  {knalleft  furprize^ 

Mrs.  Apozem  (for  our  hero  thought  meet  to  take  unto  him  a  wife, 
in  hopes  of  making  fome  reparation  to  foc'iety  for  the  thoufands  he  had 
fent  out  of  the  world)  was  a  religious,  good  fort  of  a  woman,  and 
would  very  often  give  him  wholefome  admonition.  "  I  would  ad- 
^*  vife  yoii,  my  dear  Mr.  Apozem,  faid  (he,  to  turn  from  your  evil 
*^  ways,  and  honeftly  confefs  your  ignorance,  by  refuiing  to  prefcribe 
'^  for  difbrders,  to  which  you  know  you  are  as  much  a  ftranger  as 
*^  myfelf.  Surely  this  would  be  more  humane  in  you,  than  to  go  on 
><  at  this  rate,  wilfully  and  confcioufly  adminiflering  your  flops  to  the 
^'  dedrudion  of  your  fellow  creatures.  Ignorance  is  never  criminal,' 
'^  except  when  it  does  mifchief;  and  then,  if  it  is  undiecked,  God  only 
^*  knows  where  it  will  flop.  .  It  is  true,  you  think  to  fuppre&  your 
^^  qualms  of  confcience  by  alledging,  that  you  do  not  difpenfe  your 
^*  fiuff  with  a  downright  direfi  intention  to  wouiid  or  kill ;  bot,  if  the 
«*  effeft  is  generally  hurtful,  what  does  your  intention  fignify  in  the 
^  fight  of  God?  If  you  was  to  Aand  in  the  middle  of  a  crowd  with  a 
^*  loaded  gun  in  your  hand,  and  difcharge  it  with  your  eyes  (hut, 
^  would  this  acquit  you  of  the  damage  that  enfued;  you  might  iky, 
^  I  took  no  aim,  I  pofitively  did  not  fire  at  any  particular  perfon,  and. 
^^  therefore  did  not  intend  to  kill  the  poor  man  who  happened  to  be 
^'  firuck  with  the  ball:  but,  I  am  afraid,  thisexcufe  woiild  not  (atisfy 
**  a  jury,  they  would  moft  undoubtedly  call  it  murder^  and,  after  all 
•«  the  logic  of  your  diftinftion,  you  certainly,  my  dear,  would  be 
^*  hanged,  which  heaven  forbid!  for  in  fliort,  although  you  did  not 
**  pofitively  intend  to  kill  Dick  or  Tom,  yet  you  confcioufly  did  an 
^  aft,  which,  your  own  mind  mufl  have  fuggefted,  was  notperfeftly. 
•*  innocent,  confidering  the  fatal  effeft  it  would  in  all  human  probahi« 
"  lity  occafion/'  Mr.  Apozem  ufed  .to  he^r  thefe  harangues  pretty 
frequently,  and  fometimes  he  would  even  promife  amendment;  but  fo 

4  flinty 


BO.OK  III.    CHAP.  VI.  589^- 

flinty  was  bis  bfeaft  beccmie  by  inveterate  habit,  that  the  djring  groansr 
of  a  patient  never  coit  him  a  .fii^k  pang ;  and  he  grew  more  hardened 
in  proportion  as  he  fufifered  no  lofs,  either  in  bufinefs  or  chirader, 
from  fueh'mii(ib(ttmes;'fo  fertile  wa$:his  iiiirtntton^;ih  Shifting  the 
blame  from  his  &rin  hands.  Thus^;  like  a  Skilful  archen  he  dealt  his 
sirrows  from^bebittd  a  bufli,  whiliftt  / 

'*.  -  ScBvitatcoxv^d^OT^y '  iiecf  teU  oonfpkiC'  ufquam 

•*  AnStottm" 

^  i^0^»  fiormM,  nor  found ' 

**  l^e  :darii}g^authc»^  of  tbe:^fiant  wound.'* 
He  never  voted  the  calling  in  a  phyfician,;  till  his  patient  lay  at  the-' 
very  laft  gafp^  'drenched  .with  bis:  dea^yi  potions  beyond  dK'fid^^atiott 
of  medicine;  and  (hence  always  drew:  tbe  advantage  of  pradatming, 
<*  that  desrtib  and  tlie  phyficiaii  generally  came  aiilo  a  fick  room  toge- 
*^  ther.'*  His  nde^for  vifiting,  i^  not  the  leaft  oorioua  part  of  his  oectj- 
nomy :  'whenever  he  wasient  fori  histnaxim  was^  to  meafnre  the  de-- 
lay  of  fctting  outj-  and  the  kngth  df  the  Vifit,  "» accdrding  to•the- 
*♦  ftrength  rfnd'kngth  of  the  patient's  pwfe.'^  <  If  he  faw  reafon  toex- 
peft4i  handfome^gi^atttity,  or  a  loA^ '^ll/fae  ufed  to  feud  upon  the* 
wings  of  the  wind/ and  was  at-the  patieht'swrift  in  ^a  trite.     He  held,^ 
thatf  ^•'putting  any  interfogatoms  tb  fick  per^hs,  was  oiily  perplexing 
*^  their  minds,  already  too  niuch  dHcompofed  with  illnefs ;  aiid  im- 
"  peached  the  dignity  of  thofe  who  are  bora  dbftoi?s;  andfo^coitlp're-* 
*»  bend  every  branch  of  tht  art,  by  h'atunA  intuitionv'^     Any  enquiry 
therefore,  into*the  paft  habits  of  living,  diet,  ekercife,  if  regularities,'^ 
and  the  general*  ftate  of  health  and  confihiiition,  *^  were  utterly  fuper- 
*«'  fluoii^  to  a  man  of  true  penetration;^'*    Apraen!i'  was  fatisfiedto  fiy^ 
rio'more,  thah  "Til  fend  yod'fomethiA^'fiii'e6Hy ;"'  and  he  never  was 
known  to  break  his*  promife ;  phials,  boxfes,  and^gailipbts;  /ollowed'  by ' 
doztn5^^\^hilft,Tejiofingin'fiiselb6Wthair,hefatdovra  /.  /. 

His' vifits  were  repeated  three  or  4biir  times  iie  Jte  mdrem^  more  oriefsi: 
according  to  the' patient's  rank 'and  fdrtune.  If  his  appKcatiotts^  were  ■ 
unable  to  interrupt  the  laborious  efFdrts  of  nature^  and  thi^  dftcafe  be-' 
gari  to  lofe  ground,  it-was  very  Well; 'thete'wai;  howev^ri^ no  watit'of 
regular  fupplies,  of  peftorals,  emenagogucs,  febrifuges,  and-  vefnii-" 
fiiges ;  paregorics,  and  fudorifics ;  laxatives',  aniJ  a'lt(iratives  j  foinienta-  - 
tions,^nd  embrocatioiis ;  draftics,  and  epifpafticsr,  to  be  fwallbwed,  or' 

applied,  * 


•• 


590  J    A    M.A    I    C    A/ 

apiplktdy  evwry  fifteen  minutes,  nig^t  jiad  day ;  iKme  of  arhkb,  v9^  may 
be  furc,  Were  tannottccd  in  Mr.  Aposem's  mamicrtpt^  commonly  call* 
ed  a  Journal* 

To  conclude  my  narrative ;  fince  the  beft  prtcaaotions  cannot  ^  all 
Umesguard  the  xaoA  temperate  and  careful;  fince  adl  fleft  js  iiifajeft  to 
pay  the  debt  of  nature,  and  even  dod:ors  diemfelves  are  not  exempted 
from  the  common  lot:  of  mortality;  fo  it  fell  out^  that  Mr.  Apozem 
was  taken,  by  furprize,  with  a  malignant  diftemper,  which  laid  bold 
of  him  with  fb  much  violence,  that  he  was  very  near  calling  out  for 
help  of  the  faculty^  if  he  had  not  been  refrrained  by  a  riveted '  opinion, 
that  fuch  auxiliaries  were  like  the  Saxons  and  Normans,,  who  (upon 
invitation)  firft  drove  oat  tbe  inteiline  enemy,  and  tbea  fell  upon  the 
int^ftiiieb  themfelves :  configning  himlelf  tkeiefere  to  defpatr,  he  icon 
fell  a  viftim  to  his  own  drugs^  which  had.tnfii&ed  the  fame  fate  on 
many  a  worthier  man.  Such  were  the  life  and  opiniom  of  Mr. 
Apozem,  who  nught  boaft  of  having  fent  more  iou)a  to  tl^  banks  of 
Styx  in  one  year,  than  the  yellow  fever  ev^r  did  in  ten* 

The  fcience  of  phy  fie,  when  taken  out  of  the  bands  of  Aich  poifim* 

I  niongiers,  is  truly  noble.    We  find  the  Saviour  of  mankind  en^loyed 

himfelf  in  tliis  godlike  office;  his  miracles  were  medicinal^  he  ^<  went 

*'  about  doing  good,**  and  bis  diyinie  power  was  exerted  in  healing  tbe 

iick,  reftoring  fight  to  tibe  blind,  and  vigour  to  tbe  infirm*    It  certainly 

.  merits  the  greateft  encouragement  in  all  inhalnted  countries,  but  more 

especially  in  colonies  and  new  fettlements,  where  nnufual  difeafes  are 

obferved.     This  exalted  art,  if  duly  culti^'ated,  is  capable  of  prodnciog 

very  important  efiefts  in  fuch  places.    If  nothing  more  was  to  be  ex- 

pe&ed  from  it,  than  the  augmentation  of  commerce,  this  alone  is  a  iiif- 

ficient  motive  for  a  trading  people  to  give  it  the  moft  honourable  dif- 

.  tin&ions  among  them  ;  fince  commerce  flands  fo  largely  indebted  to 

pbyfict  and  its  fifter  botany >  not  only  fi)r  materials  of  import  ^nd  ex- 

port,  but  the  abilities  of  men  employed  in  coUeding  thofe  materials. 

Nor  muft  we  pais  over  the  happy  confequence  accruing  to  a  new 
fettlement,  fi:om  having  its  endemial  difeafes  thoroughly  undcrftood, 
and  the  lives  of  the  fettlers  prefervied  or  prolonged,  by  medical  fkill 
and  (agacity. 

The  number  of  hapds  in  fuch  a  place  is  getieirally  (q  inconfiderable, 
that  a  fudden  mortality,  and  the  h>&  of  a  very  few  inhabitants,  may  nip 

the 


BOOK   lit.    CHAP.   VI.  591 

the  moft  hopeful  projeft  in  the  bud^  and  deter  other  adventurers  fron» 
g<Hng  X6  refide  in  it;  for,  if  once  the  charader  of  any  remote  fettle-^ 
ment  is  eftabliihed  for  unhealthineTs,  it  is  always  found  a  very  difficult 
talkt  and  a  work  of  long  time,  to  difpel  the  popular  prejudice,  and  con- 
vince mankind  that  inch  a  place  is  habitable.     Befides,  it  may  happen^ 
Aat  the  perfens  firft  carried  off  by  the  attacks  of  ficknefs  in  fuch  a 
country,  for  want  of  proper  medical  affiftance,  have  been  the  chief  . 
promoters  or  undertakers  of  the  fettlement;  they  may  be  men  of  the   : 
moft  capacity  and  ability  among  the  inhabitants ;  and^  in  fuch  cafe,  the  ^ 
lofs  is  irreparable. 

But,  in  a  colony  already  formed  and  provided  \i^th  a  kg^flative   - 
power,  it  is  the  htgheft  reproach,  it  is  even  an  impiety,  that  a  tribe  of 
jifQzems  ihould:  be  tamely  permitted  to  over*run  and  depopulate  it»  . 
preying  on  &e  puries  and  lives  of  innocent  men,  with  an  impudence^  , 
ignorance,  and  rapacity,- that  is  unparalleled,     if  the  woods  were  pef* 
tercd  with  tigers  or  rattle-fnake?,  ^ke  the  forefts  on  the  American  con* 
tineot,  with  what  terrors  ihould  we  not  refled  on  the  deftru£iion  they  . 
might  caufe !  with  What  zeal  svid  folicitude  would  not  the  legiflature 
promoterewards  and  .encouragements  to  extirpate  them!  Yet,  infome 
colonies,  they  havebcenknown  to  fuflfer  with  impunity.a  much  more  •. 
l^iferous  race  of  fa vage  animals  in  human  (hape,  who  have  fiifled  the  : 
emotions  of  humanity  and  confcience,  wbilftthcy  poifoned,  and  tor*  . 
tuced  to  death,  the  bodies  of  their  very  .friends  and  benefaiflors; 

The  dignity  of  the  fcicnce  of  healing  (not  of  murtbering)  ought   ' 
furely  to  be  placed  oii  the  firmeft  bafis  in  fuch  a  country ;  tbat^  whilft  \ 
the  tnbabitanU  confide  th^Fr  very  exigence  to  the  phyfician^s  care,  he 
nay  be. enabled,  by  proper  regulations, :to  allure  himiclf,  that  his pa*\ 
titnts  will  not  be  forced  toXwallow  any  other  mixture,  thah  what  be 
hai  preicrifaed ;  and  that  the  varying,  or  adulterating^  his  prefcription,    . 
will  be  puptOied  by  the  la ws,  in  the  fevereft  and^mofi  exemplary  man-  . 
ner  >  and  fuiely,  if  we  coefider  a  moment^  that  fuch  deceit  is  no  left 
than  a  clandeftine  attempt  againft  the  life  of  one  party,  and  the  repu-^ 
tation  of  another,  it  tnuft  appear  an  otifeace  of  the  mo^  capital  nature^ 
and  worthy  of  capital  pMnifliment. 

As  a  foundation  for. tbist  we  may  recommend :^be^  ^an,  wljich  diat  . 
good  man  colonel  Godringtmi :  found  nficans  Jto  carry  into  execution^ 
fioom  the  opulence  of  his  fortUBe,*and  tibecality  of  his  fbntiments.  .  He^ 


A- 


59a  .       J.  A  -M    At  I;,Po^. 

no  doubt,  bod  long  deplored  the  c^l^itous  circumft^nqis  .;of  .fiarb^^ 
does,  unprovided  with  a  fufficientilo^k' of  pradiupnexs^^'i^gulaf^^ 
trained  to  the  knowledge  of  phyiic.  He  was -feniibje,' that  a^Golpn-vr,- 
furrounded  with  enemies,  and  liable  to  internal  infurfedipn^  of  (la^^s, 
rjequired  a  coailant  fupply  of  white,  inhabitants^  ^d  ti^aty.if  the  pro- 
portion Qfthofe  annually  imported  did  not  coupteri)filance-the  number 
anngally  Cwept  oS  by,  diitempers,  tb^e  qolony  muft  inevitably  decline ; 
for,  it  is  the  multitude  9f.ufeful  hajads  which  cofinridttea  the  vigour 
and  profperity  of  ever^  fettlement  ^  and  the  greater  the  mortality  is, 
the  ^eater,  and  heavier,  muft  be  the  labour  that  falls  upon  the  furyit 
yors.:  if  500  men  only  are -^ployed  tp  garrifon.  a;  coujatry,  wbicb, 
from  its  extent  and  circumftance;,  requires  2000,  the  infufficient  body 
may. harrafs  thenafelves  to. death,  and  yet  be  unable  to  maintain  4he^r 
ground  againft  an  enemy.;  fo  if,  by.  judicious  pradice,  only  500  lives 
^er  annum  are  retrieved,  which,  by  erroneous  pradice,  would  have  iht 
fallibly  been  lod  to  the  community,  no  man  furely  will  deny  the  iqi<* 
portance  of  fuch  an  acgutfition  to  a  Weft  India  colony;; ; the  ^viog 
thofe  lives  may  introduce,  perhaps,  anincreafe  of  mai^y  hundred  moi^ 
to  the  flock  by  procreation;  add  to  this,  that  the  death  of  a  principal 
,  planter,  on  whofc  well-being  twenty  white  perfons  are  probably  de^i 
pendent  for  bread  and  employment,  is  equal  to  the  lofs  of  twenty-one 
peribns;  becaufe  thefe  difcarded  (ervants,  who  have:  attained  to  nq 
fixed  property,  may  remove  to  fome  other  country  in,feaiich  of  a  ^rot 
vifion.  Nor  does  the  lols  entirely  reft  here ;  if  he  w^sa, virtuous  i^an, 
iuftained  a  public  employment  with  integrity,  ?nd  diffused  happlnefi 
and  utility  from  the  greatneikof  his  ^tiQn,'U»  al)ility,»  an^henevolent 
fpirit,  fqch  a  chafm  becomes  ft  ill  more  extenfive,,and  difficult  to  be.re-t 
pairfd.  .  Colonel  Codrington,  who. enjoyed  the  govermnent  jof  Barba-* 
does,  devifed  by  his  will  in  17 10,  two  plantations' ia  tjxsitifland^.  and 
likewiie  a  part  of  Bacbuda,.  another  of  th^  Carribbee'Slatidsi^  in  value 
about  2obo/.  per  annum,  or  xipwards,  to  thciocktyiiefpr/ffia^anddjfikff 
for  the  purpofes  of  inftruding  Negroes  bdongtngf  to:  iBkrbadbes,  and 
the  other  Carribbees,  in  the  Chriftian  reiigic^ ,  and  for  «f  eding  and  en-* 
dowing  ^college  in  Barbadoes,  in  which  the,  libe^aFl' arts,  (hotildbe* 
trn^ht,  particularly  fhyfic  a$U  furgtry.  -A  coUej^e  was  utc^tAk^ly 
eredted  there,  the  good  efteds  of  wbidh^may  be  trstceds  not  dnlyln  tht^ 
greater  number  of  •white  Inhabitants  in  proportion  to  ^he  other  8ri«i  A! 

iflands, 


BOOK  m.    CHAP.  VI.  59^ 

lIlanBs,  but  in  the  fuperior Iklll  of  the  phyiicians  refidingin  it;  for,  it 
has  been  in  nofmall  degree  owing  to  the  praftitionersof  Barbadoes  [j], 
that  we  have  any  tolerably  fcientific  account  of  difeafes  incident  to  the 
Weft  Indies,  thei-r  treatment,  and  mfthod  of  cure.  We  mtiftnotex- 
peft,  perhaps,  to  fee  a  tolerable  performance  on  this  fubjedt,  compofed 
by  a  Jamaica  phyfician,  until  the  legiflature,  in  commiferation  of  the 
fufFermg^,  and  lofs  of  inhabitants,  fhail  take  vigorous  and  efFeduai 
meafures,  for  excluding  all  thofefrom  commencing  phyiicians,  who  do 
not  bring  with  tbem  authentic  and  fiifSicient  credentials,  certifying 
their  qualification  for  fo  arduous  a  bulinefs. 

It  is  true,  a  diploma  from  Glafgow  does  not  always  confer  fenfe,- 
neither  fliould  the  want  of  that  venal  honour  deprive  any  man  of  the 
efteem  and  deference  due  to  real  merit.  If  a  furgeon  or  apothecary 
has  got  the  education  and  knowledge  required  in  a  phyfician,  he  is  a 
phyfician  to  all  intents  and  purpofes^  and  ought  to  be  refpedted  accord- 
ingly [/] ;  but  fonie  line  fliould  be  drawn,  in  order  to  refcue  the  praftice 
out  of  the  hands  of  low  and  illiterate  perfons,  who  are  a  fcandal  to  the 
profefi[ion.  The  difeafes  of  the  human  body  are  fo  intimately  com- 
bined, that  it  is  impoffible  to  underfland  fome  of  them  perfeftly,  and 
be  entirely  ignorant  of  the  reft ;  and  equally  impofliible  to  underftand 
any  of  them  without  a  proper  knowledge  of  anatomy,  and  the  animal 
aconomy^  both  in  its  found  and  morbid  ftate.  To  excel  in  this  pro- 
fefEon,  requires  a  greater  compafs  of  knowledge  than  is  neceflary  in 
any  other  art.  A  knowledge  of  the  mathematics,  at  leaft  of  the  ele- 
mentary parts  of  them,  of  natural  hiftory,  and  natural  philofophy,  arc 
eflentially  connedled  with  it ;  as  well  as  the  fciences  of  anatomy,  bo- 
tany, and  chemiftry,  which  are  deemedits  immediate  branches.  There 
are  likewife  fome  pieces  of  knowledge,  which  though  not  abfolutely 
neceflary  to  the  fuccefsful  pradice  of  medicine,  are  yet  fuch  ornamental 
acquifitions,  as  no  phyfician,  who  has  had  a  regular  education,  is  found 
without ;  fuch  is,  an  acquaintance  with  the  Latin,  Greek,  and  French 
languages ;  to  which  may  be  added,  .fome  knowledge  of  the  world,  of 
men,  and  manners  [/]•  All  thefe  qualifications  we  look  for  in  a  re- 
gular-bred phyfician ;  but  when  the  three  branches,  of  the  prefcriber 
or  phyfiician,  the  furgeon,  and  the  apothecary,  all  mix  in  one  man, 

[j]  Vis;.  Towne,  Warrea,  Bruce,  Hillary,  and  others. 
£/]  Gregory's  Lefturcs. 

Vol.  II.  4  G  .  which 


594  J     A    M    A    I    C    A. 

which  IS  more  generally  the  cafe  in  Jamaica,  we  may  difpenie  with 
many  of  thefe  attainments^  fo  requifite  in  an  accompllfhed  phyfician, 
provided  fuch  a  praditioner  is  well  acquainted  with  the  iciences  of 
anatomy,  botany,  and  chemiftry ;  for,  without  a  competent  knowledge 
in  thefe,  he  cannot  underftand  properly  the  principles  of  any  drug  or 
medicine,  nor  in  what  manner  to  apply  it  to  a  difeafed  body.  The 
animal  machine  will  be,  in  his  hands,  like  a  watch  in  the  hands  of  an 
Indian;  he  will  fee  it  move  without  knowing  thecaufe ;  and  when  it 
is  difordercd,  he  may  break  it  to  pieces  by  his  unlkilftil  attempts  to  rec- 
tify it.  Perhaps,  no  fcheme  might  be  apter  to  edablifh  the  pradice 
on  a  proper  footing  in  Jamaica,  than  the  eredion  of  a  college,  endow- 
ed with  a  library,  Icdurers  on  phyfiology,  pathology,  anatomy,  bo- 
tany, and  the  materia  tn^ica ;  with  licenfed  infpedors  of  apothecaries 
fliops  and  drugs.  Teflimonials  of  a  regular  apprenticeship  fhould  be 
required  from  every  apothecary,  furgeon.  Or  man-midwife,  and  an 
oath  for  the  honeft  and  confcientious  difcharge  of  his  refpeAive  func- 
tion, before  he  could  be  admitted  to  open  Hiop,  or  pradtife  in  the 
ifland. 

From  fuch  an  inftitution  might  be  hoped  the  heft  ef&<St$,  in  refpeft 
to  the  health  of  the  inhabitants,  the  triumph  of  ability  and  learning 
over  impudent  empiricifm,  and  a  large  fund  of  information  to  guide  fu- 
ture praftitioners ;  here  is  the  nobleil:  field  for  botanical  enquiries,  and 
the  readieft  helps  to  anatomical  knowledge.  In  procefs  of  time,  the 
commerce  of  the  ifland  might  expeflE  to  participate  the  advantages  re- 
fulting.  The  fpices  of  the  Eaft,  the  bark  tree  of  Peru,  the  balfam  trees 
of  Mexico,  and  many  other  valuable  plants  and  produftions,  might  be 
introduced  under  the  aufpices  pf  a  learned  fociety,  and  propagated  in 
this  fertile  foil. 

Providence  has  accommodated  every  region  with  fpecific  remedies 
for  its  endemial  diftempers :  but  the  medicinal  virtues  of  the  Jamaica 
plants  are  as  yet  but  little  known  to  any  of  its  pra<fiitioners.  It  is 
attended*  with  lefs  trouble  to  find^  a  medicine  In  the  next  drawer,  or 
gallipot,  than  ramble  into  woods  for  it,  or  enter  upon  a  laborious 
courfe  of  experiments.  And,  in  truih,  very  few  here  underftand  any 
thing  of  botany,  or  chemiftry.  Yet  as  the  American  difeafes  differ  in 
many  refpeds  from  thofe  of  Europe,  fo  they  feem  to  require  a  differ- 
ent materia  medica;  and  none  can  be  fo  appropriated,  as  the  native 

productions 


BOOK*mi    CM:Ay.    VI.  59^^ 

praStkre  df^yifett^ts^^  (femtmg  fbom)the  £wQpteir 

(reipe^l^eing  hadtotlMdiftindioiia'oocaficroedbjclJmate)^^^ 

thti^nliaiblfaft^e  might  ok^&c\{x^tk]ikKw^ 

would'  fee  ks-people  m«lii|>iy,  iis^trade  a»4  ispbrte -leofaf^e,.  .iw 
firefigtfi  atid'  opul^u^e  augmeutA    ^bfti  tfae  ineceiTary  cbtmexicAi  of . 
caufes  with  cfFefts^  it  is  reafonable  to  think,  that  all  thefe  advantages 
would  happen,  in  confequence  of  a  thorough  purgation  of  abufes  from 
the  practice  of  phyfi©.in  this  ifland* 

A  moderate  (hare  of  induftry,  with  health,  has  laid  the  foundatioa 
of  many  a  great  fortune  in  Jamaica ;  this  place  is,  therefore,  juftly  ai^ 
objeft  of  attention  to  thofe,  whofe  flender  patrimony,  or  indigent  cer* 
cumftances,  render  them  unable  to  gain  a  competent  provifion  in  their 
native  country.  It  is  the  afylum  of  the  diftrefled  and  unfortunate, 
where  all  may  enjoy  fuftenance,  and  where  a  beggar  is  unknown. 
They  who  arrive  now  have  an  advantage,  unknown  to  ouranceftors, 
of  coming  to  an  eftabliflied  fbciety,  which,  from  the  number  of  towns 
and  fettlements,  has  every  accommodation  and  convenience  that  can 
be  de{ired«  Here  is  flill  ample  room  for  many  young  beginners,  iince 
much  of  the  beft  land  has  hitherto,  by  reafon  of  its  central  Situa- 
tion, lain  neglefted  and  uncultivated.  The  daily  improvements  that 
are  making  in  the  roads  will  foon  (with  the  public  aid)  render  thefe 
lands  of  the  middle  diftridls  extremely  valuable,  and  convenient  for 
lettlers ;  the  chief  difficulty  which  always  attends  new  fettlements,  in 
hilly  or  woody  countries,  being  the  want  of  good  carriage  roads,  af- 
fording an  eafy  communication  with  towns  and  fea- ports.  It  is  a  fur- 
ther inducement,  that  thefe  diftrifts  are  as  healthful  as  any  part  of 
Great  Britain ;  which  circumftance  feems  fully  evinced  by  the  undif- 
tempered  lives  of  thofe  perfons  who  have  already  refided  in  them.  The 
purity  and  mild  cool  temperature  of  their  air,  at  all  times  of  the  year, 
are  propitious  to  human  health,  whilft  the  fruitfulnefs  of  the  foil  is  in- 
exhauftible^  and  affords  abundant  fupplies  of  food  more  than  anfwera- 
bit  tothelabouf  bcftowed  upon  it.  What  may  be  further  conducive 
Vol.  ]!•  4  G  2  •  to 


•^59^  X   A    M   A    I    C    A, 

torpc^ulation,  muft  depend  oa  wife  laws  and  fit  rq;ttiation8t  ealculated 
for  the  ptotedionof  property,  the  encouragement  of  indufiry,  the  abo^ 
lition  of (tjranny,  the  difcountenancing  of  felfiih  monopolies,  and  the 
confervatknoi  health.  Thefe  demand  afliftance,  from  a  legiflature  in-* 
fl'uenced  by  public  fpirit,  a-liberal  judgement,  and  perfed  knowledge  of 
theirxountry!^  beft  intereft.  Such  a  legiflature  need  not  to  be  inform- 
ed^ that  the  advantages  x>f  a  thorough  population  and  fettkment  an 
of  fuch  vaft  importance  :to  this  ifland,  as  to  be  well  worth  their  pur* 
chafe,  by  every  Suitable  provifion  and  encouragement  in  their  power  to 
frame  or  beftow*    Convinced  of  this  truth,  the.  means  are.  obvious*. 


APPENDIX 


C  •»;  J 


APPENDIX   tothi  SECOND  VOLUME. 


^  ;  I  ; 


JAMAICA  is  dhided.  p^  u]  My  opinioa  in  regard  to  the  Indian 
origin  of  the  name  oJF  this  i{land>  as  hinted  in  the  former 
volume,  p.  353,  is  ftrengthened  by  the  account  we  have  from  Peter 
Martyr,  in  his  t>ecades;  who  fays,  that  it  was  called  Jamaica  by 
the  Indian  inhabitants  when  the  Spaniards  firft  difcovered  it. 
^  Indian  natives,  who  fellvlSlims  to  the  barbarity  of  their  Spanijbcon^ 
querors,  p.  153.]  Peter  Martyr  mentions,  that  it  was  exceedingly 
populous ;  and  the  Indian  natives  far  more  lively,  acute,  and  in;* 
genious,  than  any  the  Spaniards  had  met  with  in  the  other  illands. 

Known  by  the  name  of  Curtin^s  fpring,  p.  138.]  This  water,  1 
am  informed,  has.  been  examined,  with  ftill  greater  accuracy,  by 
Dr.  Turner ;  but  I  have  not  been  fortunate  enough  to  "meet  with 
his  ingenious  remarks  upon  it* 

P.  207.  To  the  account  of  Weftmoreland  parifli  I  am*  enabled  to 
add  the  following  particulars  : 

Its  metropolis  was  formerly  Queen*s-  Town  (now  Crofs-Path), 
which  contained  a  church  and  many  inhabitants.  But,  in  the  year 
^729,  (hipping  began  to  refbrt  to  the  harbour  of  Savannah  la  Mar^; 
and,  in  the  following  year,  the  parochial  meetings  were  removed 
thither,  and  houfes  began  to  be  built.  Theie  changes  brought  on 
a  fpeedy  decleniion  of  the  old  town.  The  ftrudure  of  the  fort  was 
firfl  begun  in  1733;  and  it  was  judiciouily  (ituated  for  commanding 
the  feveral  channels  leading  into  the  harbour ;  but  tlie  ^own, 
inflead  of  the  low»  fwampy  foil  on  which  it  now  flands,  mjght 
have  been  placed,  with  far  greater  advantage,  about  a  mile  inore 
to  the  Eaflward,  on  an  elevated,  dry  fpot,  through  which  a  rill 
of  good  water  conflantly  runs*  This  fcite  would  likewife  have 
been  more  commodious  for  carrying  on  mercantile  bufinefs ;  not 
only  becaufe  there  is  a  greater  depth  of  water  near  the  fliore,  bu< 
that  fmall  vcflels  may  pafs  to  and  fro  with  any  wind*  T'he  inha- 
bitants of  Savannah  la  Mar  lie  under  the  further  inconvenience  of 
bping  obliged  to  fetch  their  water,  for  jdomeftic  ufes,  from  a  great 

4  G  3  diftance 


^S9^  A  P  P  KN^B  f  X!  TO  Vol.  H- 

^Siflance  acrofs  the  bay ;  except  immediately  after  the  rainy  feafmiSt 
when,  by  the  flooding  of  fome  gullies,  they  gain  a  temporary  fup* 
ply  in-  their  neighbouriiood^  ^iie  fuA.  of  thicteekKikundwA  pounds 
has  been  lately  expended  on  repairs  to  the  fort,  which  the  pa- 
rifliiQner%  intejid  to  furnifti  with  cannon. 

The  towfi  contains  ii^ar  one  hundrtd'houfesT  Btetkfbrd-town  C60- 
fifts. of  about  thjrty  ;  and  the  remainder  df  the  faVailnih  has  about 
as  many  mote..  The  number  of  vef&ls  loaded  here,,  at  aA  aVferage  of 
the  kft  four  years,  amounts  to  about  eighty  fer  annum,  (not  in- 
cluding coafters,  or  droguers) ;  and  their  burthen  has  been  computed 
at  eleven  thoufand  five  hundred  and  eighty-five  tons;  which  calcu- 
lation allows  about  one  hundred  and  forty-five  tons  to  each  vefleK 
Hence  fome  opinion  may  be  formed  of  the  confequence  and  value  of 
the  trade  carried  on  at  this  port.  And^  that  an  eflimate  may  like* 
wife  be  made  of  the  improved  ftate  of  the  plantations  in  this  parifli, 
the  following  may  fuffice. 
jtnno^       Negroes.         Hhds.  of  Sugar,      Number  of  Sugar  Eftates, 

f??"^^      .  '7237  .7915        "  *  72 

which  the  reader  may  compare  with  the  ftate  1  have  before  given 

©fit  for.  the  year  1768. 

Manning*s  free-fchool  maintains  only  fix  or  feven  boys.  This 
18  attributed  to  fome  inattention  in  the  truftees;  for  it  is  aflerted, 
that  the  fund  is  improveable,  and  vefy  capable,  tf  judicioufly  ma- 
naged, or  fupporting  many  more.  I  know-  not  what  truth  there 
may  be  in  this  charge;  hut,*  if  it  i&  fairly  adduced  againil  the 
truftees,  there  is  evidently  fonje  defedt  in  the  law  which,  was  pafied 
for  regulating  this  foundation.  . 

Mineral  Wateks.^ 

The  chalybeate  fpring  at  Ricketts  Savannah  has  been  already 
found  of  fingular  benefit  in  obftru«9:ions,f  ai;i.d  otheri  diforders  acoom- 
panying  a  lax  fibre.  It  appears,  to  contain  volatile- vitriolic-acid^ 
felenitic-earth,.  and  a  portion  of  fixible  air.  This  fpring,.  ijf  it  wasr 
properly  attended  to,  and  guarded  from  the  accefs  of  rain  and  other 
mixtures,  might  prove  highly  ferviceable.  to.  the  inhabitant^.. 
There  is  alfo  a  hot-fpring  lately  difcovered  in  the  mountains  lyingr 
between  this  parifli  and  Hanover ;  in  all  probability  it  is  fulpbqreous,; 
and  has  affinity  in  its  principles  and  operation  to  the  hot  ba^  of 

St.  Thomas 


A  F  ^  B  N  6  1  K   f  d  V<JL.  IL  ^  i99 

St.  Thomas  fe  tKd  fei^.  As  yte^  lifMas  KioC  uridfergonfe  any  andlyfi^: 
fiut  there  is  e\^y  reafon  to  believe^  tliat  it  will  prove,  upon  ex- 
periment,  nof  To  differ  niuch  from  the  Eaftern  medicinal  ftream ; 
and,  in  this  event,  that  it  will  be  of  the  utmoft  utility  to  the  pa- 
rilhioners,  arid  indiseddeferving  of  every  public  and  private  encou- 
ragement in  ordef  that  Tts  lalutary  cffeCls  may  be  rendered  more 
acceffibre  and  diffufive. 

2%  otB&  articles  proporthnablyf  p.  229.]  Dr.  Campbell,  in  his 
Political  Survey  of  Great-Britain,  &c.  vol.  IL  p.  666j  has  favoured 
us  with  a  liA  of  the  exports  from  this  illand  in  the  year  1770,  with 
their  value^  The  latter,  however,  is  rated  arbitrarily.;  which  muft 
always  be  the  cafe  in.  fuch  calculations,  though  probably  not  va* 
rying  much  from  the  truth.  If  the  rates  (hould  be  judged  too  high, 
it  will  be  at  the  fame  time  couiidered,  that  the  articles  of 

Indigo» 

TortoifeflxelU 

__^  -  *        '      *  ^  • 

-  21ebra- wood^. 

JLignum'-vha^ 
Braiiletto,  . 

Fuftic^ 

Logwood,  and  fbme  few  others^  befides  • 
Bullion,. 
are  not  enumerated^  though  a  large  allowance  is  due  to  them*  < 

Exported  from  Jamaica,  A.  t)»  1770. 

4^  Sterling.. 

2249'  bales  of  cotton )^  at  lo/./^r  bale,  22^490 

1 873  ^  cwt.  of  coffee,  at  3 1.  5  J.  per  cwt.  6^068  • 

2753  bags  of  ginger,  at  2/.  5Jii?rbag,         ,6^194 
2211   hides,  at  7^/.  per  hide,      —      ■  ■'■  774  . 

V  ,  fhhdsv  of  runvfiw;  Great-Britain,  1  '      ..^^  ^^^ 

'5'7n;    .t.o../«riog(head.- j]       ^^^'^     . 

679-  ditto  Ireland,  at  i  o  s.per  hogfliead^  6,790  • 

16,475 

^S*^7S\  pieces,")    _.  , 
8,5co]feet,    I- •  Mahogany, -   -     ,-^        .j;f,poo 

2,089,734  lb.  wt.  of  pimento,  at  6  d.  per  lb.       S^»^^3 

4  G  4  61,970 


»6oo  .;APPEKDIX    TO  Vo^.  U. 

:6Xfp7ohh<l$«  of  fugar,  at  1 7A  loi.^rhhd.  .1,086^690 
.     205  bags  of  farfaparilla^  at  io/«  per  bag,  2,150 

Total  ex[)orts  to  Great-Britain  and  Ireland,  i  ^39 1 9408 

^pitto  to. No^th- America,      ■     146,322 

.Ditto  to  .other  p?rts,  :        ■  1,000 

In  1763,  the  exports  to  Great-Britain  and  Ire- ly*         , 

land  were  rated  at  —  J^  ^'^^  '^^^ 

'The  advance  therefore  in  feven  years,  /.  e.  to  1770,  is  —  JT  315,253 

In  the  above  detail,  the  export  to  North-America  is  certainly  put 
a  great  deal  too  large  ;  and  the  export  to  other  parts,  as  diipropor- 
tionably  too  fmall ;  the  reaibn  for  which  is  very  obvious :  dnd,  be- 
{ides.  It  is  probable,  that  many  veilels,  which  were  deftmed^to  other, 
parts,  took  out  clearances  for  North-America  I  fliall  add  to  the 
foregoing  the  eftimated  value  of  exports  in  the  fame  year  ( 1 770) 
from  the  other  Rritifli  fugar-iflands,  and  ftate  their  aggregate  in 
companion  #ith  that  of  Jamaica,  omitting  ftadions,  as  ii»  the 
former  example. 


■• 


Grenades, 

Antigua, 

Barbadoes, 

St.  Kittys, 

St.  Vincent, 

Mohtfcrrat,  • " 

Tortola, 

Dominica, 

Nevis, 

Anguilla, 


Total  from  the  Windward  Ifles, 
Total  from  Jamaica, 


£ 

506,709 

« 
• 

465.990 

. 

436*0 13 

427»454 

•   • 

110,501 

i!o  2,540 

71,828 

^2,856 

57,98a 

5*^S7 

£ 

2,243,730 

**S3^*73^ 

Grand  total,  -— ^         ^-"^^     — —         3,782,460 


THE  END  OF  VOL.    11. 


■M     -  U^l« 


I  ^ 


f